'NCIS' Season 15 Episode 23 News & Spoilers: Palmer Goes Undercover Post-Abby's Exit
Dr. Jimmy Palmer will take the lead in the upcoming penultimate episode of NCIS Season 15. Having the medical examiner at the center of an episode is a big deal for a couple of reasons.
It seems like the NCIS writers have figured out how to keep the viewers hooked until the season finale following the exit of Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette) in next week's episode—it's Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) in his first major undercover mission.
Episode 23 will be the first episode without one of the fan-favorite characters in the series. Although it is uncertain if Episode 23 will have a connection to Abby's exit, featuring Palmer in an episode is a good move.
Palmer can draw viewers. In fact, his "Keep Going" episode last season is the highest-rating episode of Season 14. About 16.21 million viewers tuned in to Palmer's bravery when the "autopsy gremlin" joined a man on the outside ledge of a building in an attempt to save his life.
Team Gibbs will also handle a personal case in Episode 23, titled "Fallout." Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) will attend a memorial service for a friend. Navy Captain Phillip Brooks (Don Lake) is believed to be lost at sea, but it was later revealed that he is only hiding. Brooks goes off the grid after his boat was attacked.
Although Gibbs' team will investigate a serious case, Palmer as an undercover agent will provide laughter in Episode 23. Additionally, he will be mentored by none other than Agent Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama). Torres has been boasting his undercover skills since he joined the NCIS. However, he will take the sideline this time around and will let Palmer do his thing.
It is still unclear why Palmer will sign up for an undercover mission and why Gibbs would allow it. Gibbs has been known to be protective of his team members especially the non-agents such as Abby, Palmer, and Ducky. The most intense situation that Palmer has been into so far was when he almost got shot in Season 5 and Season 14 Episode 13.
It is also uncertain if Palmer's mission has a connection to Abby's exit episode or to the season finale. The May 8 episode will reveal the fate of Abby and Clayton Reeves (Duane Henry). In the previous episode, Abby and Reeves were confronted by a mugger. Reeves handed over his wallet and Abby's purse, but the man still fired his gun before the screen faded.
Meanwhile, The Vampire Diaries actress Susan Walters and Teen Wolf star Natalie Martin will appear in Episode 23 which will air on May 15. The NCIS Season 15 finale will be on May 22 at 8/9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.