NCIS: Why Did Gibbs Shoot McGee In NCIS Season 18 Premiere?

NCIS: Bishop and Torres trapped in cells in episode promo

NCIS series 18 kicked off at the end of last year, after the CBS series was delayed thanks to the pandemic. This didn't stop the show from going on though as the drama now continues to air weekly in its usual Tuesday slot. But fans have been scratching their heads since the opening scene of the premiere episode which left them with a lot more answers than questions.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from NCIS.

Why did Gibbs shoot McGee in NCIS season 18 premiere?

NCIS series 18 started with Sturgeon Season and it looked like it was going to be an action-packed episode.

In the first scenes, Agent Timothy McGee (played by Sean Murray) was seen trying to stop a private jet from taking off.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

This is when Agent Gibbs (Mark Harmon) arrived on our screens for the first time.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

However, it wasn't to help McGee as viewers were left stunned when Gibbs instead shot his friend and colleague in the arm and leg with a sniper rifle.

READ MORE: NCIS season 18 streaming: How to watch NCIS series 18 online

NCIS: Why did Gibbs shoot McGee in the season 18 premiere? (Image: CBS)

NCIS: Gibbs was seen shooting McGee in season 18's premiere. (Image: CBS)

• NCIS season 18 episode 6: Will Bishop and Torres finally get together?

Before the show could give any more clarification as to what was going on, the episode skipped to an entirely new story, much to the confusion of fans.

One viewer on Twitter complained at how the opening scene had “nothing in this episode tied to Gibbs shooting McGee in the beginning.”

This was because the first scene and the main plot of Sturgeon Season were in fact entirely separate storylines.

As a subtitle explained, this scene in question was set in March 2020, while the rest of the episode dated back to November 2019.

NCIS: Agent Gibbs and Fornell were the main focus on series 18's Sturgeon Season. (Image: CBS)

So the events of series 18's first episode, which focused on Gibbs and Tobias Fornell's (Joe Spano) mission to take down someone who supplied drugs to his daughter Emily (Juliette Angelo).

This is in connection with series 17's Musical Chairs, where Gibbs disappeared for the majority of the episode.

Explaining the jump back in time, showrunner Steve Binder said: “We had an episode last year called ‘Musical Chairs,’ where Gibbs disappears from the squad room to go on a mission, and then he shows up at the end of the episode with a black eye.

“We are going to pick up Season 18 with that mission that Gibbs was on, back in time.”

DON'T MISS...NCIS fans gobsmacked by 'uncrecognisable' Fornell in season 18 opener [REACTION]NCIS LA fans left outraged as series ‘completely missing’ from CBSNCIS season 18: Will Ziva David return in NCIS series 18?

NCIS: Why did Agent Gibbs shoot Timothy McGee in season 18? (Image: CBS)

While the beginning of season 18 didn't seem linked, there was a clue which brought it together with the scene from March 2020.

During the episode, Fornell finds a key fob with a logo which looks very similar to that on the tail of the plane which McGee was trying to stop.

So could Gibbs have shot McGee to stop him from helping his friend Fornell?

For now at least, the truth as to why the veteran agent shot a member of his team remains a mystery but will bound to be explained in the upcoming episodes.

Review, gossip and upcoming show releases plus selected offers and competition Subscribe Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Get More of Our News on Google

Set Daily Express as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value.

• NCIS Los Angeles: Who was Kensi's partner before Deeks in NCIS LA?
• Cote de Pablo children: Does the NCIS Ziva David star have children?

• NCIS 2021: McGee’s fate confirmed following explosive Gibbs shooting

Part of series 18 is going to be set in pre-coronavirus times, explaining why there is a backwards time jump.

This won't be for the entirety of the season though as the drama will catch up with what's happening in today's world soon enough.

Co-showrunner Frank Cardea said: "The first five episodes take place in the period of [pre-coronavirus].

"Episode 6 wraps that up, and episode 7 will bring us up to a post-COVID world."

NCIS season 18 is available to watch on CBS.

NCIS CBS Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Comments Most Read Most Commented What is Netflix Free Bert star Ava Ryan's age? BBC The Traitors winner Rachel Duffy supported after mum's heartbreaking death BBC Breakfast's Sally Nugent pays emotional tribute after Carol Kirkwood announcement Birds of a Feather icons reunite in new crime drama 37 years after sitcom debut Netflix fans issue same complaint over America's Next Top Model doc trailer POLL POLL: Will you still watch BBC Breakfast after Carol Kirkwood quits? Good Morning Britain weather report leaves furious fans with same complaint Death in Paradise season 15 start date, new cast and episode count as drama returns to BBC Carol Kirkwood shares truth behind BBC Breakfast career and says 'not at all' Heartbreaking Traitors death announcement just days after BBC final OPINION BBC lost one of its most beloved stars – why Breakfast is doomed without Carol Kirkwood Carol Kirkwood's three biggest hints she was planning bombshell BBC exit BBC Breakfast's Carol Kirkwood cried off-camera during personal struggle Who is Ser Arlan of Pennytree in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms? Emmerdale fans recognise DS Walsh star Amanda Ryan from iconic Channel 4 role Carol Kirkwood's statement in full after announcing she's leaving BBC Breakfast Carol Kirkwood quits BBC after 25 years as she issues emotional statement GMB interrupted in fresh blow to Starmer as Labour MPs turn against him GMB halted for Keir Starmer breaking news update as fans fume 'liar' Call the Midwife's DI Holbrook explained as Martin Delaney joins BBC drama Emmerdale double tragedy as favourite faces murder charge and cancer diagnosis ‘Masterpiece’ BBC period drama hailed as 'close to perfect' now streaming BBC fans discover 'incredible' Emily Blunt Western The English on iPlayer Classic noir film with 'best ever ending scene' is now on BBC iPlayer 'Greatest drama series ever made' has 92% Rotten Tomatoes rating—I re-watch it every year BBC The Traitors stars hidden connection unveiled just days after final Ant and Dec told Simon Cowell 'we're quitting Britain's Got Talent' When will The Testaments TV show be released? Kelvin Fletcher faces 'disaster' as weather threatens farm plans GB News halts for Keir Starmer bombshell as guest erupts 'Dead man walking' Latest videos New Sky rival arrives next month that will let UK homes stream TV completely free Homes in 78 UK areas told ‘prepare to turn off gas, water and electricity’ Millions of UK households facing horror rise of up to £2,124 - ‘mortgage shock’ Russia sends horror WW3 threat to UK - 'We can strike anywhere' Predator grins as he skulks through station hunting for women to sexually assault

Daily Express uses notifications to keep you updated

Keep me updated No thanks