Notice! Spoilers ahead for NCIS Season 22, Episode 4.
After 22 seasons, NCIS writes the final members of the original cast, introducing their replacement. Being on the air for over two decades and still garnering impressive ratings is no easy task, so the success of Don Belissario and Don McGill’s procedural continues to thrive. Shortly after the debut of Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ Major Case Response Team in NOTCHthe Navy Yard-based squadron soon got its own show, with the pilot, “Yankee White.” This laid the foundation for NCISestablishing the brand of fairness and commitment to service that the team is known for.
Over the years, NCIS lost so many characters. However, just like other long-running shows on network TV, it found a way to move forward by bringing in new faces to fill the void left by its predecessors. Ducky Mallard’s death meant that NCIS There are no inaugural members of Gibbs’ team left on the show. Currently, Timothy McGee is the procedural’s longest-running central character after debuting in “Sub Rosa.” There is still another original “Yankee White” character, but NCIS season 22, episode 4, Stick & Stones basically scrapped it.
Tobias Fornell is the last member of the original NCIS cast still involved in the show
Fornell made his NCIS debut in “Yankee White”
Also introduced in NCIS the pilot is Tobias Fornell. While Gibbs’ MCRT argued jurisdiction for the case aboard Air Force One with the Secret Service, the FBI also got involved with Joe Spano’s character. Admittedly, the origins of the role remain murky, considering her supposed history with Gibbs. That being said, Fornell has been the most prominent recurring character in The Suit and was the face of the FBI for years. His last appearance was in NCIS‘ The thousandth episode in which the team revisited the case of Leonard Riche – the radicalized man who tried to kill the president.
It’s been years since Fornell left the FBI. However, even after moving away from the organization and charting his own path, his contacts with the agency remained intact and significant. This made it easier to bring it in for special cases, especially when the program needs help leveraging resources or obtaining information. No word yet on whether Spano will make another appearance in NCIS moving forward. That said, the CBS series may no longer have any use for him after “Sticks & Stones.”
Todd Sweeney’s reconciliation with Alden Parker leaves Fornell sidelined from his NCIS role
Fornell was replaced
Alden Parker’s MCRT deals with a desperate case in NCIS season 22, episode 4, as they try to stop the start of World War III. If that’s not complicated enough, FBI Deputy Director Todd Sweeney steps in to make things more difficult for them, reigniting the long-running rivalry between the agencies. Since Gibbs’ chaotic exit from NCISthe relationship between MCRT and Fornell’s former agency worsened because Parker decided to dump Mark Harmon’s character. That being said, the conflict is finally resolved when Sweeney and Parker finally bury the hatchet.
That said, while NCIS may not be of any use to Fornell, that doesn’t mean he can’t return to the show. It turns out that CBS will have to get more creative in how they want to incorporate him back into the narrative.
With this, the FBI now has a new face in the NCIS with Sweeney, taking over the role that Fornell held for years. In fact, the deputy director is prepared to be more useful to the MCRT, considering his higher position in the agency than that of Gibbs’ longtime friend. That said, while NCIS may not be of any use to Fornell, that doesn’t mean he can’t return to the show. It turns out that CBS will have to get more creative in how they want to incorporate him back into the narrative.
The difference between Fornell and Sweeney will have an impact on the NCIS narrative
Fornell’s connection to NCIS is personal
Despite both being associated with the FBI on NCIS, there are some differences between Fornell and Sweeney. As mentioned previously, being Deputy Director means that the latter occupies a much higher position than the former. Furthermore, they also differ in behavior. Although Sweeney has appeared tough, especially when dealing with Parker before, his conversation with director Leon Vance and subsequent conversation with his former subordinate suggest that he is not as strong-willed as initially perceived. Fornell, on the other hand, is stubborn – even with an occasional glitch.
They also have a very different history with NCIS. Although Sweeney is relatively new to establishing a relationship with the MCRT, Fornell has a personal connection to the team given his history with Gibbs. Granted that specific details about this are still unclear at the moment, it’s safe to say that Fornell and Gibbs’ bond is unbreakable. This has been very useful a few times in NCIS. The good news is that Sweeney has time to form the same relationship with Parker.