WARNING: This article contains major spoilers for the "Watchdog" episode of NCIS season 18. Read at your own risk.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs has been suspended from his job in the recently-released episode of NCIS season 18, titled "Watchdog." Now, fans speculated that Mark Harmon might be leaving his character and the police procedural might be ending after this season.
In the Tuesday episode of NCIS season 18, the team uncovered a secret dogfighting ring, prompting one of them to make a drastic move. They were stunned when they discovered that the dog they found was one of the three dogs shot in a road. The two, however, didn't survive.
Instead of taking a day off, Gibbs returned to work to find the perpetrator. He went to the road where the dog was found and was able to track down the location of the suspect, Luke Stana. Then, he approached the man and he beats him up -- jeopardizing his career.
Because of this, Gibbs was arrested for assaulting the suspect in the field. The situation puts Timothy McGee (Sean Murray), Ellie Bishop (Emily Wickersham), and Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) in a tough position. He asked the team not to lie about what they saw, but the three ended up protecting him.
Gibbs avoided charges when McGee, Bishop, and Torres found evidence of the suspect's actions. However, Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll) wanted Gibbs to issue an apology for what he did, but the latter didn't do it. So, he ended up suspending the agent and taking his gun and badge away from him.
Now, fans have to wait and see what the suspension means for Gibbs in the future. There is no clear indication that Harmon is leaving after NCIS season 18. After all, he is one of the major characters in the series and it is unlikely he'll be officially dismissed.
Meanwhile, Harmon's real-life wife, Pam Dawber, is going to play a significant part in the upcoming episodes of the police procedural. The actress is set to play the role of investigative journalist Marcie Warren and will first appear in episode 11.
Marcie Warren is described as a "seasoned investigative journalist" who "uses her savvy wit." In addition, her "down-to-earth people skills" help her in her tireless pursuit of the truth. It would be interesting to see how she and Gibbs will cross paths, and how her presence could shake the story up.
NCIS season 18 returning on Tuesday, April 6, on CBS.
