NCIS (TV Series) Great Wide Open (2021) User Reviews

A fitting final episode for Gibbs

[mts43 · 9/10 · 13 October 2021]

I have not been a regular viewer of N. C. I. S for years, and saw this episode by pure chance. I'm glad that I did. It was a fitting way for Gibbs to depart, and certainly much better quality than most "farewell" episodes. I don't know how much longer the series will continue -- 19 seasons is a very long time. It will all depend on the writing, and ability of other cast members to ingratiate themselves with viewers without Mark Harmon.

Bye Gibbs

[mbenzicron · 10/10 · 12 October 2021]

It was a good farewell for Gibbs. Will miss him in the show although he did leave for a short time before. I see McGee taking over the lead as it makes more sense then having someone like Parker take over. McGEE has been around for a long time and he earned his place after Gibbs not Parker or anyone else.

The Great White Manhunter bags one last Bad Guy.

[Carycomic · 10/10 · 14 October 2021]

Well, it had to happen, eventually. That old USMC warhorse, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, has retired himself to stud! Well, perhaps not literally. But, it certainly wouldn't hurt him to start partaking of the less ugly side of life!

All last season, Fate seemed to be pushing him in this direction. The loss of his goddaughter. Her father Tobias' somewhat forced retirement before that. Followed by the resignations of Doc Sloane and Bishop...and his own close call at that lake.

Still, if Gibbs did have to retire, he at least managed to do so in a blaze of glory. By not only bringing Lamere, the dishonorably discharged ex-Navy SEAL, to justice (however briefly). But, also, his heartless profiteering employer, as well!

Truly, superb swan song.

Gibbs.....

[robertjc-2 · 10/10 · 13 October 2021]

Gibbs gives us just enough twinkling smiles to assure us, he's finally happy. How could we possibly deny him, there fore we have to let him go, it is a brilliant final joyus, if you will, end for such a cherished character.

Terrence O'Hara, bravo to you and your cameraman for the final shot of Gibbs fly fishing with the camera moving on the plane taking off.

Simply stunning work.

Sso that.

I have to use "Bowling" to grade this episode.

[radarfirs7 · 10/10 · 12 October 2021]

This episode is a "Strike" (Positive) score in Bowling. In bowling a Strike and a Spare do not get a final "Score" until the next box (episode). I give it a 9, but want to give it a 10, but it all depends on the next episode(s). Since it appears we are in a way the 10th frame for Gibbs? So, might depend on the next 2 throws (episodes). PS I am NOT an avid Bowler, just the way it ends made me think of needing to wait to see how they treat Gibbs.

All my Questions in this are Hypothetical, but feel free to answer in a way in a review???

Like the other reviews .. I agree Gibbs will be back but in occasional episodes, and a mix of actual in person, the NCIS Tim's Team talking about him, but also a phone call and the phone calls may be a mix of him (Voice) but sometimes the person calling or receiving a call from him will be the only person talking. I believe the Later "Phone call" will be how he is in the episode next week. Basically how next weeks episode treats him, will be the final grade for this one. No Gibbs brought up next week than this will stay as a 9, but any mention (Hint of him not gone) of him then I will change this a 10.

Gibbs has a Rifle, Pistol, Knife, some ammo of course (Probably a Sat Phone), fishing rod, flashlight (but probably batteries will end that) and a Beach with plenty of wood (only needs a few Carpenter tools) the problem is he is 50 miles from anyone and no car. Then due to the Sea Plane to pick up Tim, probably no roads or even trails. I am sure his new friend Tunu Alonok will visit him with his boat often? Gibbs is trained to make a Temporary Housing until he can build something better. (With basement to build his own boat?).

Sadly, one of the other "reviews" makes a Statement (w/o spoiler alert) that sounds like Mark Harmon / Gibbs dies? NOPE.

I can also see another show coming from this? Gibbs the Park Ranger? Knowing Gibbs training he would probably build his permanent housing off the ground. Which will be a Positive for Park Rangers and Alaska, of course sooner or later there will then be a reason for the "Tim NCIS Team" to have to visit for a episode or two? (or Gibbs coming for a visit to give away his house, and get what stuff he needs to ship to Alaska, and end up in a Case, or brings one?)

Gibbs skills of Carpentry, and living off grid add Park Ranger could be a Drama, documentary about Park Rangers, Alaska, Animals, Fishing, Survival Skills, and maybe an arrest or two or even a rescue mission of a downed plane or lost hikers. I can think of many "Alaska" documentary type shows, but no "TV Series" non Documentary shows about/in Alaska.

Anyone else have some ideas how "Gibbs" stays around? Gibbs is much younger than Ducky (Actors age diff also) for no more Gibbs ... I doubt it will end up to be a "Alaska NCIS"? Time for Gibbs to move to another Journey / Job? Do a Review with your ideas?

Gibbs ..... the legend

[wkin · 10/10 · 15 October 2021]

After 18 brilliant seasons, even with the blonde girl cricket legs Gibbs will forever stay in our hearts. Thank you very much Mark. And let's not forget the sacred monster David MacCallun.

Does it have to be over for Gibbs?

[steveclem-43778 · 10/10 · 1 November 2021]

This was a good episode but they pulled the old Gibbs gets arrested but we'll let him go because his form of alternative justice works. It wasn't original but it's the theme of the show since day one and it's what NCIS fans wanted and needed to see. I like it. The more important thing is we're losing Harmon but we don't need to lose the character, Gibbs. We need CBS to create a NIS show Franks and Gibbs as his probie. The show needs to start right before or right at Kelly and Shannon's death. It would give us greater depth into their deaths and how they were solved and how Gibbs became an NCIS agent. You could have a young Gibbs, Pride, Vance, Fornell and even Jenny Shepard involved. We already know so much about these characters but they could sew the pieces together in greater detail a make a great show. It would be the drama version of the Big Bang Theory changing into Young Sheldon. You would be able to see how the gunny became agent Gibbs. Think about all the possibilities. There seems to be a lot of meat on the bone to create this show. We all know the ending. What we need is to see how it began in greater detail. Who doesn't love Mike Franks?

Breathe, Tim

[niznonizno · 10/10 · 12 October 2021]

Good way to give Gibbs his peace. He will like Frank was. Just visiting and helping around sometimes.

Missed the words Breathe, Tim at the ending, that would have been a extra nod to the past.

We knew it was coming

[trident-39079 · 10/10 · 16 October 2021]

Pretty good way to wrap it all up! Like how it there was a bit of an open-ended thing going on and wouldn't be surprised to see Gibbs appearing down the road in an arc or two.

And I certainly hope they don't plan on brinding Gary Cole onboard to replace Harmon - that would just be ridiculous. Consider - Gibbs has been solving cases for "25 years" and McGee has had his back for "18 years." That means Gibbs had his own team after being an agent for just 7 years (likely more) and here's McGee, going on 19 years - almost ready to hit his 20 year retirement if he wants - so the writers better not screw the pooch and keep McGee down! Not only would it strain credulity but it would certainly doom the show. And, when you figure they may be able to squeeze 2-4 good years out of it, that would just be to bad. For me - I'm done with the show if they don't hand the team to McGee.

Gibbs is Hetty

[parkshady · 10/10 · 12 October 2021]

Mark Harmon will be like ducky and hetty comes and goes as they please but not the main focus but still part of the credits but a great send off.

Closing out Gibbs legacy

[rickbell19 · 10/10 · 12 October 2021]

Great episode. Gibbs shared much about his life & finally how he gets boats out of his basement.

I would really like to see Erik Passoja added to the cast now, not so much Gary Cole.

Maybe that will happen!

Great Wide Open

[bobcobb301 · 7/10 · 25 January 2022]

They could have made this more climactic, had a bigger ending and not done the Alaska send-off, something a lot of shows and movies have turned to recently, but overall it was a fine farewell for Gibbs.

Nearly 20 years is a really long time to play a character, but he did it well for two decades. He's earned retirement if he chooses.

Let me get this straight

[koohii · 5/10 · 26 April 2023]

This woman is so wealthy and powerful she has a doofus co-conspirator, and travels anywhere with no security backup of any kind? And she's able to hire a hitman through contacts and intermediaries, and scrub his US Naval record and personnel file... ...All that and yet even though she negotiates billion dollar deals on a regular basis, she flinches and panics at the first sign of any kind of law enforcement or investigation?

That storyline is completely rushed and resolved in about 1/2 an episode.

Meanwhile, Gibbs gets bloated goodbye scenes with everyone, and touchy-feely hugs from everyone but Director Vance. This emotional diarrhea goes on for way too long. Yes, he's a major character (arguably THE main Character), and he's been the anchor for the show for 18+ years, but this is not what I watch NCIS for.

Can we please get back to investigating crimes involving military personnel?

Ncis

[kellaghermaryanne · 10/10 · 11 October 2021]

Best programme on television. Cast is amazing and mark harmon to die for. What more can you ask for, every episode has you glued to your seat.

End of an era

[AYSMITH · 9/10 · 16 October 2021]

OK, so that happened!!!

Unfortunate final curtain for a great character.

Sadly, I really can't see the show carrying on after this series. Expecially since the "bomb" dropped so early in the series.

Yes, we've had other characters come and go but this show pivotted totally on Mark Harmon's "Gibbs" and without him, the show dies!!

Other than David McCallum, there are now no original characters left and he certain'y won't keep going much longer.

My assumption is that the "grizzled" FBI agent will end up part of the team with McGee's nose being put severely out of joint in the process.

I've watched every singly episode of NCIS but I suspect that is now over.

So sad!!!

Teary goodbye from Gibbs.

[Saving21 · 9/10 · 12 October 2021]

This episode is hard for me to critic, bc it was,for now, goodbye to the lead character Gibbs and that was done well, he had goodbye scenes with the characters he was closest too, should have had one with Jimmy that he knew also from early seasons and that is a glitch from the writers. But other than that these scenes were good, especially the last scene w/Mcgee that for me was the emotional and made me teary. Bc he knows him the longest and practically was the one who trained him with Tony and a father figure to him. Harmon&Maurry were really good and I felt it was them and not Gibbs&Mcgee, the background music of slower rendition of the theme music was wonderful addition to the scene.

But for me the thing that annoyed he trough this story, that it wasn't connected to their job NAVY CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. Gibbs first introduction to us the viewers was in JAG in 2003 when he investigated the murder of navy Jag lawyer and helped prove Harm was innocent. So why not have the story that closes his chapter as NCIS special agent be also connected to his line of work? Finish where he started?

I'm sure we will see Gibbs again like Hetty will show up on NCIS LA(her story with Callen didn't end and there will be more) but it be hard not seeing him with his flip phone, giving looks and advice, Gary Cole is good actor, his character as FBI agent Parker that will do what is right isn't boring ,I'm sure now Vance will hire him to NCIS but he isn't Harmon. Not sure how NCIS can move on now, maybe if Michael Weatherly wasn't in Bull they could have brought him back as very special agent Tony that lights up the screen, we will see..

Loved it ! ! !

[cejvr-26019 · 10/10 · 14 January 2022]

Great episode. Glad Gibbs got some peace of mind. That man had been struggled under the weight of the memories of Shannon and Kelly for years. He never gotten over their deaths. He was always trying to get over it. (His failed marriages is a prove of it). Sad to see him go, he's always one of my favorite characters in the show, he had his flaws, (not always doing things by the book), but then again who of us is flawless? But on the other hand don't count him out yet. He has a way to surprise people.

Bye Gibbs, bye NCIS.

[pook1-1 · 8/10 · 13 October 2021]

So will Parker replace Gibbs or will McGee? Not much to the plots from the past few seasons and it was more of just seeing your favourite stars on TV going through the motion. Now with Gibbs gone I think the show will not last for much longer as it does get boring and stale and predictable.

farewell Gibbs, goodbye NCIS

[prasfidelis · 10/10 · 1 March 2022]

Truth be told, i have stopped watching NCIS since Tony DiNozzo Jr. Left the team. When Caitlin/Kate died, i was devastated. I always thought Sasha Alexander's Kate had much better chemistry with Tony in her short time on the show than Cote de Pablo's Ziva ever did. But Ziva grew on me because she was a complex character. And because they made her Tony's love interest, that means her exit would inevitably be followed by Tony's. That was the last straw for me. Gibbs was the serious father figure and Tony was the clown, but his witty remarks and antics worked well with the team's dynamics-something that Wilmer Valderrama's Nick Torres couldn't replace.

I came back to check NCIS twice: when Ziva made an emergence and now when i heard Gibbs was retiring. It's only a matter of time before NCIS falls into obscurity. They should've made Gibbs' farewell the end of the series: sad but hopeful. Michael Weatherly (Tony) has said that Mark Harmon (Gibbs) is/was the spine of the show, and that's true. Let's face it, NCIS is anchored heavily on Gibbs rather than the team. His departure will greatly change the tone and feel of the show and who knows if fans will accept that.

Just learned about Harmon's farewell

[CrimeDrama1 · 9/10 · 13 October 2021]

Since Mark Harmon has been an Executive Producer on NCIS for a long time, I wasn't surprised to learn that he is departing his role on the show. I mean, at this point in time, what hasn't he done? I reviewed a previous episode after someone criticized Katrina Law's character and acting. I feel that her character is in the LJG mold, which has worked for 19 seasons. It may become Tim's team, which makes sense, but Katrina Law may be the future of this expanding series.

A departure and several renewals

[hindsonevansmike · 10/10 · 31 January 2024]

Well, we knew that Gibbs would go one day.

After the false starts, this is it, with a set of beautifully-choreographed and intelligently-written scenes, culminating in a nod to the "Pa Gibbs" character portrayed by the late, great Ralph Waite.

The scenes with Tim McGee and LJ Gibbs are spot-on, as the baton is passed.

"How can I be sure you're OK?"

"I already am".

Side story about a murderous CEO, a copper mine on ancient lands in Alaska and the legacy of a loyal daughter are almost a side-show (heck, they are!) but the story hangs together. Alden Parker's character begins to flesh out (this is definitely a lynch-pin pivotal episode for the future of NCIS) as Gary Cole steps up into the role.

The old ensemble nature of early NCIS episodes (which distinguished it from its parent show "JAG") is back - and working well. Onwards to episode five.

A disappointing send-off!

[harrykivi · 4/10 · 23 December 2023]

I had heard that Mark Harmon was going to leave "NCIS", so I hoped for a great send-off to Gibbs. Sadly, I did not get it. This is yet another disappointing episode of "NCIS" for me.

Let's start with the good aspects.

. The production values of this episode are great. "Great Wide Open" is well-directed, the music fits the scenery. The nature of Alaska is beyond this world beautiful. The acting's fine for the most part. Was not sure about Wayne Charles Baker, but Mark Harmon and Sean Murray have some brilliant scenes together. Have quite liked Gary Cole so far.

. Touching scenes are found here and there. Liked that most characters get their goodbye with Gibbs.

But...

. The mystery feels bare-bones and dragged on for too long. The people behind the serial killings were quite easy to figure out. I really agree with people, who have said that Gibbs' departure feels forced, out of the blue and out of character. Just do not get the writing decisions here. The dialogue comes off melodramatic.

Overall, did not like it very much.

4/10 HK.