Leroy Jethro Gibbs' story on NCIS concluded with him choosing to remain in Alaska, having been deliberately allowed to stay there by Special Agent Alden Parker, despite orders for his arrest, marking a peaceful and open-ended departure from the agency.
Gibbs' Departure from NCIS
Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, portrayed by Mark Harmon, officially departed from the NCIS team in the fourth episode of season 19, titled "Great Wide Open." His exit marked a significant turning point for the long-running series, providing a unique resolution for a character known for his strict moral code.
The Circumstances Leading to His Exit
Gibbs's departure was not a straightforward retirement. In the season 18 finale, he bombed his own boat, leading to his suspension and an active search by NCIS. The team, including Timothy McGee, traveled to Naktok, Alaska, to investigate a contract killer case, which ultimately led them to reunite with Gibbs. During this time, Gibbs found a profound sense of peace in the Alaskan wilderness.
A New Beginning, Not an Arrest
While in Alaska, Gibbs was actively being sought by authorities for his previous actions related to the boat explosion. He fully intended to serve time for his crime and even told Special Agent Alden Parker where to find him, seemingly prepared to face the consequences. However, Parker, having witnessed the immense good Gibbs had done throughout his career and believing that such a punitive fate was undeserved, made a pivotal decision. He disobeyed direct orders to arrest Gibbs, an act of loyalty that ultimately cost Parker his own job with the FBI.
This decision allowed Gibbs to forge a different path. Instead of returning to NCIS headquarters in Washington D.C. or facing imprisonment, Gibbs made the profound choice to remain in Alaska. His final scene depicted him fishing peacefully in a tranquil Alaskan river, signifying a new chapter where he found calm and contentment, a state he hadn't experienced in years. This ending allowed the character to exit the show without being killed off or incarcerated, leaving the door open for potential future returns.
