Warning! Spoilers ahead for NCIS Season 22, Episode 4, "Sticks & Stones."
Timothy McGee's best replacement becomes clear in NCIS season 22, episode 4. Coming off of a short year due to the dual Hollywood strikes of 2023, CBS' long-running procedural current year has already been full of plot twists and interesting cases. That's all mixed up with some personal storylines, including the resolution to Jessica Knight and Jimmy Palmer's break-up in the NCIS season 21 finale, as well as Nick Torres' surprising decision to date again. That said, among everyone in Alden Parker's team, McGee is arguably the one who is having the most interesting year.
In the NCIS season 22 premiere, it was revealed that McGee was vying for the Deputy Director role. Admittedly, this was a bit surprising, considering that he passed on taking over the MCRT after Leroy Jethro Gibbs retired in Naktok Bay, Alaska. He didn't want to do a desk job and deal with paperwork. Still, one can't blame him for wanting to move up the agency's ladder. Ultimately, he failed to secure the position, despite his years of service in the organization. Despite that, however, NCIS season 22, episode 4, "Sticks & Stones" lays the foundation for his MCRT successor.
NCIS Season 22, Episode 4 Proves Curtis Hubley Is Timothy McGee's Best MCRT Replacement
Curtis Is Reminiscent Of McProbie
As MCRT tries to stop World War III from happening, they find themselves against a familiar adversary — the FBI, in NCIS season 22, episode 4. The team is running against time decoding a message that could have neutralized the tension and prevented the situation from escalating. With Knight and Palmer out of office, and advised not to return to Navy Yard, the squad brings in Curtis, marking his first appearance in the new year. He helps Kasie Hines with the case and provides the technical support Parker and McGee needed in MTAC.
When his superiors are arrested for defying orders, Curtis continues to work to stop the FBI's ministrations in NCIS season 22, episode 4. He even hides in MTAC and works on his computer to block the system and preserve Parker's orders. He is eventually found, but Curtis' brand of loyalty to MCRT, overall demeanor, not to mention his computer skills are reminiscent of McGee during his probie days. Because of this, the show effectively props him up to be the perfect contemporary to Sean Murray's character.
NCIS Needs To More Prominently Feature Curtis In Light Of McGee's Current Situation
McGee Can Take Curtis Under His Wing
McGee may not have gotten the promotion that he wanted, but it doesn't mean that his attempt to move up the agency's ladder is done. NCIS awarded the post to former DOJ Inspector Gabriel LaRoche — a new character introduced in season 22. Since his promotion, however, the new Deputy Director has barely been felt in the show, although he is expected to play a big role throughout the rest of the year. Aside from McGee being more deserving of the spot, LaRoche is also a suspected NCIS mole. If he is caught, Murray's character may eventually be awarded his post.
This opens up a spot for Curtis to be a more prominent member of Parker's MCRT. NCIS should gradually ease him into being a member of the core cast — the same way it did when it introduced McGee as a recurring character in "Sub Rosa." Doing this would make his transition to potentially be a full-time member of MCRT smoother. It also helps the viewers get used to him as the new tech person on the team. Perhaps, NCIS season 22 can even foster a mentor/mentee relationship between McGee and Curtis.
Will Sean Murray Really Leave NCIS?
Murray Is The Longest-Serving Active NCIS Cast Member
Currently, there are no comments about Murray leaving NCIS. Typically, it announces cast departures ahead of time to hype up their swan songs. Since Murray is the longest-serving active cast member in NCIS, the writers and producers would want to give him a proper send-off when the time finally comes for his exit. That said, McGee's current arc in NCIS season 22 poses big issues for the show. Keeping him in MCRT for a few more years will feel unfair, considering his experience. That said, any kind of promotion will mean that he will have to leave Parker's team.
Whatever the case may be for McGee, it's clear that he has outgrown his role as a Senior Field Agent. There is no keeping NCIS from continuing the show as it is, but the character vying for a promotion opens up the issue that there is barely any space to move up in the team, considering how small it is. Maybe giving him a protege in Curtis can rejuvenate his arc, but other than that, NCIS needs to make a major decision about McGee.
