NCIS season 16 photo: New photo of Robert Wagner’s return
If you missed it, be sure to check out our video take on the episode “She” below! For some more information, subscribe to CarterMatt on YouTube — we also have an official NCIS playlist with even more insight regarding the show.
Wagner’s appearances on the show these days feel almost like an annual occurrence. In a lot of ways, they were even when Tony Jr. was featured. The writers have had to get a tad more creative implementing Senior without his son around, but we credit them for still doing it — it’s a reminder that making a change within your cast doesn’t mean that you have to cut off everyone associated with them. What Wagner brings as Senior is a keen eye, some NCIS history, and also a sense of humor at times. He’s also got some connections to Tony that, in turn, will remind everyone on Ziva.
(We have to imagine the writers knew that in the aftermath of “She,” everyone would associate Senior with Bishop and what she knows about “Ziva” — even if nothing comes of it during the episode, the subject is still lurking underneath the surface.)
So why is Robert Wagner actually there?
It’s not fun and games, though, ironically, it actually has to do with fun and games. He is turning up to help his poker buddy Ed (Larry Miller) on a case — Senior’s got some sleuthing skills, and we also just think he gets a thrill out of being involved. We don’t blame him! There’s something about the thrill of the chase that is exciting, no matter who you are or however old, and we also just think that he’s entranced by so many stories over the years that he’s heard courtesy of his son about fighting crime.
There’s another connection here between Ed and the team, as he is Jimmy Palmer’s father-in-law and he’s going to put him in a tough spot during the episode. “Bears and Cubs” is one of the most-anticipated of the season, maybe for just the delay in getting it just as much as the story. We originally thought we’d get a chance to check it out last week, but a last-minute change kept that from happening.
Here’s an interesting factoid for you, though, about episode counts and where NCIS is in the season right now. Despite the change-up last week and CBS pushing back an earlier episode for a Presidential Address, we’re not really any further behind episodes being aired than usual. For the last couple of years, we saw NCIS at around the 16th or 17th episode of the season by the second week in March.
Want more scoop on Gibbs and Sloane?
Check out another fun piece from earlier this weekend over at this link, and come back on Tuesday for more all about “Bears and Cubs,” including a new review.
What do you want to see when it comes to Robert Wagner’s return to NCIS?
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