Sean Murray’s story in NCIS season 22 is seemingly setting up Timothy McGee’s exit, and now I’m worried. There was no more original character in NCIS season 21 with the passing of Ducky Mallard. That said, long-time viewers of the CBS police procedural like me still have a couple of veteran characters serving under the Major Case Response Team (MCRT) in Navy Yard, including McGee. Despite not being an inaugural member of Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ team in Washington DC, Murray has been part of NCIS since season 1, starting as a recurring character, and then promoted as a series regular.
I appreciate the fact that, throughout NCIS’ biggest character departures, it has been able to move forward. That said, as much as I enjoy watching the new MCRT under Alden Parker, there is something so special about the earlier years of the series with Gibbs at the helm. It has been two years since Mark Harmon left NCIS — a loss that I thought would have spelled the end of the project. As it has usually done, however, it continued. Now that it may be facing another massive exit with McGee, I’m already dreading its potential fallout.
NCIS Season 22 Story Reveals McGee’s Unexpected Career Plans
McGee Is Seeking A Big Promotion
Because of the NCIS season 21 finale, which introduced Parker’s mystery connection with Lilly and Jessica Knight’s departure from MCRT, my focus coming into season 22 has been on those two characters. As it turns out, however, showrunner Steve Binder and his team have been planning an unexpected storyline for the show’s longest-serving cast member. As it turns out, McGee will be seeking a promotion in NCIS season 22, particularly ascending the ranks to become a deputy director. Specifics about this endeavor are still under wraps at this point, but it’s already a massively intriguing move for Murray’s character.
McGee explained that he didn’t want Gibbs’ NCIS job because it came with additional paperwork, meaning he would have to spend more time away from his family.
For context, McGee was offered to take over Gibbs’ spot when Mark Harmon left in NCIS season 19. At that point, I don’t think anyone would be opposed to this happening. McGee had been with MCRT for almost 20 years by then, starting as a probie and working his way towards becoming a senior field agent. He was the perfect candidate to replace his predecessor, but he turned it down. McGee explained that he didn’t want Gibbs’ NCIS job because it came with additional paperwork, meaning he would have to spend more time away from his family.
Considering this, I find it interesting that McGee is suddenly interested in climbing up the ranks at NCIS. For what it’s worth, his dad was an Admiral, which may have inspired him to be more aspirational with his career. However, taking over Gibbs’ job would have been a more straightforward process. This raises my concern over this NCIS season 22 storyline. Based on what we know thus far, it doesn’t really benefit McGee’s narrative — unless the writers are subtly paving the way for Murray’s exit.
Can McGee Stay In NCIS If He Gets Promoted?
McGee Getting Promoted Means He Needs To Leave MCRT
The lack of specific details about McGee’s situation makes it difficult to predict where NCIS is going with this. That said, assuming that he does get the promotion that he is lobbying for thanks to his long tenure in the agency, not to mention his impressive track record, it essentially opens up the door for him to leave. As it is, there’s no way for McGee to move up the NCIS professional ladder without him walking away from MCRT.
There’s no substantial story for McGee as NCIS’ deputy director, because Director Vance is still committed to his post despite his near-death experience in NCIS ‘ 1000th episode.
The report doesn’t reveal if he is vying to be Director Vance’s deputy, but even if that, NCIS, historically, doesn’t really pay any attention to that particular gig. Additionally, there’s no substantial story for McGee as NCIS’ deputy director, because Director Vance is still committed to his post despite his near-death experience in NCIS’ 1000th episode. This means that Murray’s veteran agent may be looking at other agencies to transfer to. This means that, unlike Knight, who was offered a different job, the decision to leave MCRT came from McGee himself.
Will Sean Murray Really Leave NCIS As McGee?
It’s Difficult To Imagine NCIS Without Sean Murray
Given his previous stance on the kind of work he wants to do, I’m quite sure that focusing on the bureaucratic aspect of the series is something that McGee doesn’t enjoy. Of course, there may have been other factors that prompted him to seek this promotion. Maybe his family made him realize that it was time for him to retire from fieldwork.
That said, if Knight, who had only been with MCRT for a few years, had a difficult time transferring out, I can only imagine how much harder it would be for McGee. Delilah would understand, considering how long they have been together. Assomeone who has watched all seasons of NCIS, I know a thing or two about fake exits. At this point, I’m hoping that this season 22 storyline may just be the latest entry to this trope — as tired as it is.