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'NCIS' Season 18 Episode 2: Did writers goof up the Ducky-Gibbs friendship? Eagle-eyed fans point out error

Ducky was right at the start of Gibbs pursuing Shannon the first time around; did the two grow apart? Because events of Season 3 don't add up to what writers gave us in Season 18

After that teasing, titillating ride that was the 400th episode of 'NCIS', fans have shed light on a major goof-up in the Gibbs and Ducky friendship that might not have been spotted by many. While other loyal patrons of the show were quick to defend what looks like a slip-up, it seems the writers of the now 18-year-old CBS procedural have forgotten what's happened in the past, from a timeline dating back to as early as Season 3 of the show, where Jethro Gibbs was in a coma and his beloved friend Ducky had come to visit him in the hospital. It seems odd to fans that at the time Ducky had no clue about Gibbs being a father, especially now that he has been revealed in the latest Season 18 Episode 2 to be the reason behind Gibbs and Shannon's marriage.

In Season 18 Episode 2, the official synopsis for 'Everything Starts Somewhere', states "Flashbacks reveal the murder case that first introduced young Gibbs to NCIS and to Ducky." The episode brings back the cold case of Johnny Zuccat who had gotten away 40 years ago and is finally charged with the crime at the end of the show's current timeline. But to do so Gibbs has to rely on Ducky's help and thus come in the flashbacks, where we see how the two initiated each other's work in their current fields. 

For Ducky, it was Gibbs who had inspired him to become an ME, while for the other man, it was the friend across the pond who gave him hope and inspiration to pursue his relationship with Shannon and not just run from it using NCIS as a ruse as he was clearly so afraid of losing in love. The recently established dynamics put Ducky on a pedestal of sorts when it comes to the relationship between Gibbs and his first wife; why is it then that Ducky is so shocked to learn that his then-comatose friend's a father? Did they grow apart or did the writers simply not remember that bit of plot development they had highlighted before proceeding with the current dynamics? Fans seem to think of the latter.

Taking it to Reddit, user josejoe22 shared: "I have issues and it’s because of the continuity. When Gibbs was in the Coma (season 3 finale), Director Sheppard tells Ducky about Gibbs first wife and daughter. Ducky responds in shock, saying he’s known Gibbs for years, and he never had children. Now NCIS is saying he met Gibbs while he was dating Shannon? So he knew Gibbs and at least knew of Shannon, but not that they had Kelly, and they eventually died? Wrong. Writers goofed You’ve been Joe’d, NCIS."

The screenshot of the Reddit post was shared under a tweet made by the official 'NCIS' account, with the caption "Please advise." A fellow fan took the time to explain the lapse in continuity, stating: "I noticed that too.. the only defense I have is that gibbs and ducky didn’t meet again for about 12 years and maybe ducky forgot about him having a wife and he didn’t know about Kelly." But the previous user countered them, writing:  "But Ducky doesn’t even remember the name Shannon when Jenny says her name in season 3? Nope. They goofed." Another fan also tried to defend the writers under the original Reddit post, sharing: "Honestly, what they did fits. Ducky knew of Shannon. But we don't know if Ducky and Gibbs stayed in contact after sniper school. So, Ducky wouldn't have learned about Kelly. Unless I missed something." So wat do you think happened? Does Ducky just have a bad memory or is it the writers?

'NCIS' Season 18 airs on Tuesdays at 8 pm only on CBS.