The hit CBS series NCIS has given Gibbs the perfect legacy after Mark Harmon’s exit. Having portrayed the taciturn special agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs for more than 18 seasons and 400 episodes, Harmon finally left the show following the season 19 episode “Great Wide Open”, which sees the beloved NCIS agent finally find peace in retirement in Alaska. Some audiences assumed that Gibbs’ exit from NCIS meant they’d seen and heard the last of him until a later episode created the ideal callback to his character.
In NCIS season 19, episode 10, Special Agent Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) and Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) receive mysterious deposits of $10,000. Given their line of work, the two are naturally suspicious until the end of the episode when Director Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll) calls them into his office to explain. He informs McGee and Palmer that they are the latest recipients of the Leroy Jethro Gibbs Scholarship Fund, a trust initially set up for Gibbs’ own daughter before she tragically died, and which he has grown over the years to aid numerous agents’ families including Vance’s own children.
This fund is the perfect legacy for Mark Harmon’s Gibbs in NCIS because it further contributes to the character’s closure following his exit from the show. It’s also incredibly fitting for Gibbs, who always maintained a modest lifestyle despite likely earning good money by the end of his long tenure at the agency. Gibbs has become known over the years for silently helping those he cares for, providing exactly what they need without saying a word, and this scholarship fund is a flawless final hoorah to the legendary character.
Gibbs has struggled with a lot over the years, but one of his greatest hurdles has always been his tragic backstory. Gibb’s wife and daughter were murdered by the head of a cartel whom they witnessed committing a crime, and this has served as perhaps the most influential event for molding his character. Gibbs joined NCIS after their shock deaths, and a string of failed marriages shows that the agency filled the hole left by his family more than anything else could. It’s therefore fitting that the money which would have gone to his own daughter’s college fund can now be distributed amongst his surrogate family at NCIS.
The move is also perfectly characteristic of classic Agent Gibbs. A humble man who never appears at ceremonies to accept his own commendations, Gibbs became known for helping others with no expectation of praise or recognition. In fact, he commonly rejects such plaudits, believing that his actions are simply the right thing to do. Awarding the scholarship money to two of his closest colleagues after he has retired to Alaska serves as the epitome of the selfless generosity cultivated by Mark Harmon’s Gibbs throughout his NCIS tenure.
The Leroy Jethro Gibbs Scholarship Fund is the perfect legacy for Harmon’s character, but the episode also leaves room for hope that he could return to the show. The final scene sees Palmer wishing he could thank Gibbs in person, to which Director Vance smiles and replies, “Well, hopefully, one day you will.” It wouldn’t be the first time the show has briefly brought back characters, but it’s unclear how meaningful the statement actually is. Whether he returns to the show or not, Mark Harmon’s Gibbs will not soon be forgotten by the captive followers of NCIS.
Why Gibbs Was the Soul of NCIS
When you think “NCIS,” you think Gibbs. His stern voice, unshakeable moral code, and legendary “rules” made him iconic. He grounded the show in realism, leadership, and heartbreak—all at once. Removing that central piece was no small feat.
The Challenge of a Hero’s Exit
Losing your main character? That’s tough. The writers had to avoid a hollow or rushed send-off. How do you honor the legacy without freezing the show in time? They needed a graceful pass, not a full stop. Spoiler: they pulled off a seamless hand-off.
How NCIS Set Up a Legacy, Not an Ending
NCIS didn’t say “goodbye” in a final episode that felt like a tombstone. Instead, they framed Gibbs’s departure as a new chapter—him stepping back, but his values carry on. That’s legacy. That’s not closing a book; it’s passing it on.
Passing the Torch to New Blood
Introducing or elevating characters didn’t just serve brevity—it served meaning. When a newer agent says something Gibbs-like, you go, “Yep. Totally him.” That moment says everything: his influence isn’t gone—it’s living on. That’s genius.
Honoring Gibbs’s Ethos Through Character Actions
It wasn’t just dialogue. The team started making decisions the “Gibbs way”: tough choices, moral clarity, unflinching loyalty. That dug deep into the viewer’s DNA, because Gibbs’s spirit was now part of the team’s behavior.
Subtle Callbacks and Meaningful Moments
Remember that scene where the team pauses before leaving, mirroring Gibbs’s old pause by the board? Or the “rules” notebook? It wasn’t over the top—it was a nod. These micro-moments pack punch when done right.
Reinforcing Team Loyalty and Values
Gibbs’s team was a family. Making sure that sense of family stayed front and center kept the show’s heart beating. Whether through a worried glance or a rallying speech, they leaned into that core dynamic.
Emotional Payoff for Long-Time Viewers
Walking away from a character like Gibbs is emotional. But NCIS didn’t just yank the rug—they gave fans space to grieve, reflect, and feel hopeful. It’s like saying, “We’re sad, too—but he’s still here, in the way we do things.”
Feeling Heard—Audience Investment Paid Off
The writers knew the fans. They let them steer through grief with nods to iconic moments. It felt earned. Not pandering, but heartfelt. That’s how you keep loyal fans while evolving.
The Power of “Final” Scenes Done Right
Instead of a flash-forward or dramatic funeral, the show delivered quiet closure—maybe a phone call, a gift, a whispered rule. Those touching, understated moments landed harder than any grand gesture.
Balancing Nostalgia and Fresh Energy
NCIS didn’t rest on Gibbs’s name forever. They infused fresh cases, new leadership, fresh conflicts—while keeping the smell of Gibbs’s trenchcoat in the air. Balance, not replacement. That’s smart storytelling.
Letting the Show Evolve Without Losing Its Heart
It would’ve been easy to get stuck in “the way things were.” Instead, they leaned forward. New dynamics, new bonds, new risks—all rooted in those Gibbs-born principles.
Social Media Buzz and Heartfelt Tributes
Across Twitter and fan forums, viewers shared stories: “Gibbs taught me…” and “I’ll never forget…” The legacy became real-world, not just fictional. That’s powerful.
What This Move Means for NCIS’s Future
With the foundation Gibbs built solid, NCIS can keep going—new heroes, new stories, same soul. It’s not about replacing a person; it’s about preserving a vision—and that’s how you keep a franchise alive.
Conclusion
NCIS handled one of its toughest moments with grace. Mark Harmon’s exit could’ve been a stalling point—but instead, it became a launchpad. By embracing Gibbs’s spirit through subtle callbacks, character behavior, and emotionally honest writing, the show gave him a legacy, not just a farewell.
