NCIS star Brian Dietzen shared how David McCallum’s death changed the show’s 21st season. McCallum’s passing led to a special episode, co-written by Dietzen, to honor the character Ducky. The episode, ‘The Stories We Leave Behind’, focuses on Jimmy Palmer’s reaction to Ducky’s death and airs on February 19. Dietzen initially wasn’t planning to write for the season but felt honored to do so after McCallum’s passing. The episode aims to honor Ducky’s relationships with past and present NCIS teams.