It is no secret that I think David McCallum (Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard) is one of the finest actors ever. I have been known to watch him quote Churchill and break into tears, even though I have heard him do it on countless NCIS marathons.
So, with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore for borrowing his poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” below is the sneak peek for tonight’s episode of NCIS.
“A Visit from Brother Nicholas”
‘Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the land
NCIS investigates to lend Ducky a hand!
Evidence is combed through and reviewed with great care,
In hopes that the answer soon would be there.
Where is Dr. Mallard? Not snug in his bed.
Tied up in a van with a gag ‘round his head!
Gibbs in his sportcoat and McGee in his cap
Are racking their brains so this case can be wrapped.
In London, the Mallard brothers were very close,
But Donald was shipped out to war ‘cross the coast.
He promised to return to his favorite bro’,
But the war had an impact on how else that might go.
London, back then, was a horrible sight
Folks hiding in blackouts in darkest of night.
The day before Christmas garnered Nicholas a toy,
But missing his brother deeply wounded the boy.
The phone rings. Duck answers. What does the voice claim?
Duck tells Gibbs the secret that seems so insane.
That Nicholas, presumed dead, so long ago
May still be alive! How to handle it though?
Ducky enlists his best friends at Team NCIS
To locate his lost brother. Could it be a mess
To find him after all these years? Are they mad as a hatter?
But the NCIS team jumps in, hot on the matter.
Remembering back to the new-fallen snow
That blanketed London, so long ago
His hopes remain guarded, but his memories run deep.
This winter finale will make audiences weep.
With Gibbs as the driver, so determined and quick,
The NCIS team will surely find Nick.
More rapid than eagles, the agents they came
Gibbs head-slapped and shouted and called them by name.
“Now Abby! Now Bishop! DiNozzo! McGee!
On Palmer! On Vance! Let us help our M.E.
From the lab up to MTAC, we’ll exploit our resources
To help the good doctor who serves the Armed Forces!
Grab your gear. To the elevator
They run down the short hall.
Now dash away, dash away,
Dash away all!
Dead Marine. There’s a clue.
But there’s Ducky to save.
Thank goodness for cell phones
That play “Scotland the Brave.”
Will they find him? I hope so…
This Nicholas, I mean.
But whether they do that
Remains to be seen.
Thank you, producers, for
Featuring McCallum!
He’s a sure bet and
Always is certain to wow’em!
In this season of giving
Of merry and mirth.
To NCIS…
The most watched show on Earth…
Good tidings from us to the
Best cast and crew!
You know that the viewers
Just love what you do!
And we hear Gibbs exclaim
As he speeds out of sight.
Happy Christmas to all!
Watch our show Tuesday night!
NCIS also stars Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly, Pauley Perrette, Sean Murray, Rocky Carroll, Brian Dietzen and Emily Wickersham.
Returning this week are guest stars Jamie Bamber as Bishop’s maybe-soon-to-be-ex-husband, Jake Malloy, and Adam Campbell as the younger version of Ducky.
Also guest starring are Adam Croasdell, Andy Walken (an even younger Ducky), Susan Duerden, George Gerdes, Kim Robillard, Jon Beavers, Henrietta Meire, Nicole J. Butler, Christopher Murray, Sewell Whitney, David Carey Foster, Tom Billett, Nikki Leigh, Patrick Quinlan and Ashlynn Yennie.
Tonight’s episode, “Spinning Wheel,” was written by Executive Producer, Steven D. Binder, and directed by Terrence O’Hara.
The winter finale of NCIS airs tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.
