Summary

• Character development signals potential big changes in the NCIS universe, with roles evolving and new power dynamics emerging.
• McGee's temporary NCIS director position could become permanent, showing the natural evolution of his character within the team.
• Curtis Hubley's increased screentime and desire to expand his role may lead to a more permanent position on the MCRT, following a trend on the show.

In the 1000th episode of the 1000th episode of NCIS, with the show potentially setting up the evolution of some of its most prominent characters. The changes hinted at in season 21, episode 7, “A Thousand Yards,” would trigger a shift in the NCIS universe.

Character development is essential to NCIS. When characters switch up their roles, it means restructuring the NCIS universe. A new director position, for instance, would mean a new director would be installed in every NCIS spinoff, since the flagship NCIS director serves all the shows in the NCIS universe. Likewise, a new character introduction on the show could mean that there will be a new Major Case Response Team (MCRT) member to follow, and the smallest character development now could mean welcoming a new character that could be around for decades, like Sean Murray's Timothy McGee.

Timothy McGee's Potential Take Over As NCIS Director

McGee's Temporary Director Position Could Become Permanent

NCIS episode 1000 (season 21, episode 7), saw Timothy McGee step into the role of NCIS director, which he had done one other time in season 20, episode 5, "Guardian," when Parker and Vance were out of the country. McGee has temporarily stepped in as acting director of NCIS because NCIS Director Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll) has been shot and is in the hospital. Although the position is temporary, with Vance facing conflict with his son over his absence in his role as a father, the shift could be setting up McGee to take the role over permanently.

McGee stepping into the role of NCIS director shows that he is capable of commanding the team, and makes it evident to viewers that McGee is next-in-command after Vance and Gary Cole's Alden Parker. McGee's role has been a constant evolution throughout his time at NCIS, with McGee evolving from an NCIS rookie to the team's Senior Field Agent. McGee is a character who continues to grow, and to see him evolve into the NCIS director role would be the natural evolution of an existing trend for McGee.

McGee stepping into the role of NCIS director would introduce a new power dynamic for Sean Murray’s character, with him overseeing his friends and colleagues in other offices, and it would follow a trend that shows McGee quietly grinding up the NCIS chain-of-command. McGee’s longevity on the show is one of his most valuable assets, both in his familiarity with viewers and his ability to command the team and understand what needs to be done. McGee is the perfect character to carry on NCIS' legacy of no-nonsense investigation that the flagship series is known for.

Curtis Hubley Gets More Screentime As NCIS Probie

Hubley Could Be Gearing Up For A Regular NCIS Role

Curtis is a technical operator, but in the 1000th episode, he steps up and provides intel to the MCRT that helps solve the crime. He even does some interrogation, noting throughout the episode that he wants to expand his role in NCIS. With Hubley acting as a regular NCIS probie, it feels natural for him to step into the role now that he has shown he has the chops. Seeing as Hubley wants the position enough to vocalize it to his colleagues throughout the episode, it's unlikely that Curtis will not evolve his character by season's end.

Curtis' first appearance in NCIS was in season 9, episode 7, "Devil's Triangle." The character has made infrequent appearances on the show since then, appearing in NCIS seasons 9, 14, 19, and 21, sporadically. The character has made more regular appearances in season 21, appearing in three of the season's episodes so far. Hubley ing the cast of NCIS would be refreshing, since he has a natural humor that would enhance the show's comedic tone. With McGee's role in the balance between Senior Field Agent and temporary NCIS Director, it's perfect timing to have someone step into the MCRT.

Curtis subtly positioning himself to become an NCIS probie would follow a trend that sees recurring characters take on more permanent roles on the MCRT. Characters such as Sasha Alexander’s Caitlin Todd, Sean Murray’s Timothy McGee, and Cote de Pablo’s Ziva David were all introduced to the series gradually, and their roles on the show expanded naturally as they grew familiar to audiences. The same has happened with Hubley’s character, where the audience has developed a rapport with the character, and his evolution would allow for expansion on an already familiar character, prompting more changes for NCIS.

Leon Vance Expands Role Outside NCIS As Father

Director Leon Vance May Choose To Develop Outside NCIS

Leon Vance temporarily stepped down as NCIS director in the 1000th episode, and the shift could signal something more permanent. Although Vance has been the director of NCIS since NCIS season 6, it’s possible that the events in season 21, episode 7, have the character reassessing his values and what he wants to focus on in life. A flashback is shown between Vance and his son Jared as Jared experiences a childhood memory. The flashback displays Vance’s unending dedication to his team, but in it, Vance also says that his family is the most important thing to him.

The episode highlighted Vance’s role as a father, and this could be a potential reason that he notes for stepping down. Almost losing his life could have Vance reassessing his goals for the rest of his life, and how he will live out the remainder of his days. Maybe Rocky Carroll's Vance will step down as NCIS director to spend more time with his son. Vance is currently the longest-running NCIS director, outlasting Thomas Murrow and Jenny Shepard. His departure from the role would mean that he would be missed, but that he had more than served out his duty.

Vance has proved that he is a capable NCIS director, and now the show is challenging if the director can make a capable father. “A Thousand Yards” dug deep into the narrative that there are sacrifices to be made when working at NCIS, and those sacrifices through the lens of Leon’s son was the perspective required to get Vance to seriously reconsider his stance on where he will focus his energy moving forward. Although Vance won’t be stepping up in NCIS, he still has the potential to step up as a father.

NCIS season 21 airs Mondays, 9 pm ET, on CBS.