NCIS season 18 premiere episode left a huge question among viewers: Why did Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) shot Timothy McGee (Sean Murray)? Fans have been wondering what the future holds for them after the incident. However, it seems like they won't be getting answers anytime soon.
NCIS season 18 will not immediately address this particular matter, mostly because the scene was set in the present time. It can be noted that the previous episodes were set in the past, and showrunners Steve Binder and Frank Cardea told CarterMatt that the first five episodes will be set in a similar era.
The premiere picked up the events that happened in the previous season, wherein McGee approached an airplane and got shot in the arm. It was revealed that Gibbs was the assailant, which sees him on the roof and toting a sniper rifle. Then, the scene was cut to several months earlier.
Viewers need to wait until around 2021 to find out what really happened to Gibbs and McGee. There could be a major reason why the former did it and felt like the latter was a "threat" in achieving his goal. It's not his intention to kill him, and he possibly wants to subdue him.
In an interview with CBS, Murray discussed how McGee and Gibbs' relationship will change in NCIS season 18 following the specific event that transpired. He teased that viewers will definitely see some sort of evolution between the two characters.
After the huge season opener, fans can't help but wonder if there's more reason why Gibbs shot one of his most trusted allies. Some things might be changed, not only between them but for the rest of the people at the department. There would be a lot of discussions and different opinions.
For now, the story won't be addressed as the early run of NCIS season 18 focuses on the past. For instance, the upcoming episode 3, titled "Blood Treasure," will be the continuation of the 400th episode "Everything Starts Somewhere."
It sees Gibbs and Tobias Fornell (Joe Spano) diving deeper into their investigation, tracking down the opioid kingpin. Their conversation about this matter will be revisited, providing some answers as to what happened to Fornell's daughter.
The opioid ring storyline was first introduced in season 16 but wasn't entirely addressed in season 17 since it focused on Ziva David's (Cote de Pablo) return. Now, the latest installment will finally wrap it up, which is deemed as Gibbs' "personal mission."
NCIS season 18 is airing every Tuesday on CBS.
