‘NCIS’ season 11 spoilers: Finale will address passing of Ralph Waite
For those of you who were curious to know how “NCIS” planned to handle the passing of Ralph Waite on the show, we now have an answer for you … and it looks more and more like they are going to really give us some sort of proper tribute to the show this year.
Speaking to TVLine on the subject, a spokesperson for CBS confirms that parts of the finale episode in May are going to be tweaked in order to properly accommodate for the passing of the actor, and to ensure that the Jackson Gibbs character is given a proper tribute after all of the episodes and appearances that he has made:
“[Showrunner] Gary Glasberg and the writers are working on something special to address the passing of Ralph Waite in the season finale, to honor both the memory of Ralph, as well as the character of Jackson Gibbs.”
We imagine that there could be a title card honoring the actor before this finale airs, possibly even as early as the one that is airing on CBS tonight. This is just the time in which you are going to get an opportunity to really see the story play out more on the show. Dealing with death is always a difficult thing for every show to handle, and often, there is no other way to handle the character’s story other than to have the character killed off. Otherwise, you have to justify him or her not being around the rest of the cast, and you would not want to think anything negative of the character.
Do you feel like “NCIS” is handling the exit of Jaskon the right way by taking it on this season? Share below, and also be sure to click here to get a glimpse from another big episode coming up in the 250th one.
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Photo: CBS
flootzavut
April 25, 2014 @ 2:28 pm
I’m really glad they’re doing a proper tribute to both the character and the man – both of whom are well loved. My only regret is the minority of the fandom behaving so ungraciously about Ralph/Jackson being given a proper send off. Papa Gibbs, Pa Walton, Ralph Waite – as himself or as any of the beloved characters he’s played, the man well deserves the tribute with which he is being honoured.
RIP, Mr Waite.
Carol
March 2, 2014 @ 1:07 am
I would watch a tribute episode to Ralph. Ralph Waite is a wonderful film and tv actor. I think he has played Jackson as the most loveable human being on NCIS and I will miss him. I would watch any tribute to him if I know when it is going to be on. This season would be good if it can be done well.
sadtonyfan
February 25, 2014 @ 4:05 am
I really like Ralph Waite and many of the characters he has played including Papa Gibbs, I really don’t want the writers to sensationalize his death by writing a terrible death and a revenge filled Gibbs season finale type plot. I’m sick to death of Gibbs finales at this point and that would just be tacky. I want to see his passing acknowledged without it being a ploy for another violent Gibbs angst filled revenge quest. Quiet dignity would be much more appropriate. .