Timothy McGee Effectively Confirms His Exit From NCIS

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Okay, so I just watched the latest NCIS – season 23, episode 2, “Prodigal Son Part II” – and it was a lot! Beyond Alden Parker dealing with the aftermath of his father’s murder – which carried over from last season’s finale – it looks like McGee is starting to lay out how he’s going to eventually leave the team. This season opener is a big one for the show, being CBS’ longest-running scripted series, and it really focuses on Parker taking charge and finding his own way to get justice for his dad. It’s a pretty intense start to the 2025-2026 season!

The investigation quickly grew beyond its initial scope and became personal when Parker’s sister, Vice-Admiral Harriet Parker, joined the case. Director Leon Vance, typically a very supportive leader, hasn’t been acting like himself throughout this, which is unusual for him.

Parker and the MCRT team successfully dismantle Carla Marino’s Nexus Cartel, wrapping up a storyline that began last season. While the two-part season 23 premiere of NCIS balances the main case with various personal stories, it also subtly reveals that Timothy McGee is planning to retire from the agency.

McGee’s Special Personal Project Is Revealed In NCIS Season 23, Episode 2

CBS

Okay, so in the latest NCIS – season 23, episode 2 – Parker pulls a disappearing act, pretending to be dead to ditch Vance, the MCRT team, and all the bureaucracy so he can keep digging into the Marino case. It’s a classic Parker move, honestly. Anyway, McGee shows up at this abandoned shack right after a ship blows up, and it reminded me so much of the old Gibbs days! Sean Murray’s character, McGee, was totally prepared – he brought all the food and tech gear they’d need, because he’s clearly been through this before with Gibbs. It was a nice touch, showing McGee learned from the best.

Parker is more willing to accept help than Gibbs, and his most experienced teammate delivers. Working in a remote location, McGee quickly establishes an internet connection, allowing them to communicate with the rest of the MCRT team back at Navy Yard. With a bit of flair, Elf Lord explains his setup: “solar power, satellite internet, and moose-enhanced Wi-Fi.”

When Kasie Hines contacted him, she was very impressed with McGee’s invention, now known as “MooseNet.” He’s clearly confident in it, as he’s applied for a patent. This also proves McGee was working on a personal project while employed at MCRT.

How MooseNet Can Be McGee’s Path Out Of NCIS

Look, I totally get characters having hobbies outside of their jobs – Gibbs and his boat building was legendary! And remember when McGee was secretly a published author, Thom E. Gemcity? It was a fun detail. But this new invention thing… it feels different. He’s already a dedicated agent and a dad to young kids. It’s not just a little side project to keep him busy, is it? It feels like a really big commitment, and I’m curious to see where they’re going with it.

This project needs a clear, ultimate purpose, and it could be connected to McGee’s future plans after the MCRT. It’s been obvious for a while that NCIS hasn’t given McGee much opportunity for personal growth. When Gibbs retired, many thought McGee would be a natural fit to take over as leader, following in his mentor’s footsteps. However, McGee turned down the position, explaining he didn’t want to be burdened with a lot of administrative work.

If MooseNet does well and gets a patent, McGee will likely have a reliable income from it. This success could be linked to his recent connection with Fletcher Voss, the CEO of Bandium. Plus, running MooseNet will be a full-time commitment, especially since McGee also invented the technology behind it. Because of this, he wouldn’t be able to continue working as a government detective.

Can NCIS Stop McGee If He Really Wants To Leave?

Season 22 of NCIS gave McGee a significant storyline by showing him applying for the Assistant Director position. Unfortunately, he wasn’t selected; the job went to Gabriel LaRoche, who was secretly investigating a conspiracy. Once LaRoche’s true purpose was revealed and he resigned, McGee still hasn’t received any indication if he’ll be considered for the role.

As a long-time NCIS viewer, the latest storyline really brought a big question to mind: what’s next for McGee? It seems like if he takes the Assistant Director job, we’d lose seeing him working cases alongside Parker and the team, and that would be a real shame. Honestly, CBS needs to find a way to give him more responsibility and move him up, but without taking him out of the field. Otherwise, after twenty years of watching McGee grow, it feels like any solution would just diminish everything the writers have built for him.

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2025-10-22 16:58