When Mark Harmon exited NCIS early in Season 19, his character Leroy Jethro Gibbs shared emotional goodbyes with several key characters, including Timothy McGee. However, he never got the chance to say farewell to Jimmy Palmer-a moment actor Brian Dietzen admits he still wishes had happened.
Dietzen recently shared that he hopes a future reunion between Gibbs and Jimmy could finally provide that missing closure.
He explained that Jimmy would feel deep gratitude toward Gibbs, who served as a mentor and father figure to him over the years, much like Donald “Ducky” Mallard did.
Throughout the series, Gibbs often supported Jimmy during important moments, even if he didn’t always show it openly. From offering encouragement to standing by him during personal hardships, their bond grew stronger over time.
Dietzen also noted that, on a personal level, he’s grateful to Mark Harmon for his leadership and influence on the show. While he’s been able to express that appreciation directly, he hopes Jimmy will one day get the same opportunity with Gibbs.
Harmon remains connected to the NCIS franchise as the narrator and executive producer of NCIS: Origins, and he even briefly returned onscreen during a recent crossover. This has left the door open for a possible return to the main series.
For now, fans can only hope that Gibbs will one day return from Alaska, allowing Jimmy and Gibbs to share the meaningful reunion that never happened.