“NCIS 1000th Episode Had Us Crying — And That Final Tribute to Ducky Was Everything”
After two decades, NCIS finally aired its 1000th episode — and it was everything fans hoped for and more: action, nostalgia, and deep emotion. But what truly stole the spotlight? The moving tribute to David McCallum, aka Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, who passed away in 2023.
In the episode, the team gathered to reflect on Ducky’s impact, both as a forensic expert and a friend. Old footage, photos, and even a touching voiceover gave fans the closure they needed.
“That Ducky montage broke me,” one fan wrote on X. “He was the heart of NCIS for so long. They honored him perfectly.”
It was a rare episode where past and present collided — with references to Gibbs, Abby, Ziva, Tony, and more. A love letter not just to the show, but to the fans who made it endure.
