The NCIS Scene That Had The Entire Crew Crying On Set, According To Sean Murray

Over the years, "NCIS" has had numerous moments worthy of tears. From characters dying to heartwrenching reunions, the procedural knows how to exploit viewers' emotions and keep them invested in the series after over 20 years. According to Sean Murray, who plays Special Agent Timothy McGee, there was one moment he knew was going to be powerful right when they were filming it. 

That was his final scene with longtime series lead Mark Harmon, who played Special Agent Leroy Gibbs up until Season 19, Episode 4 — "Great Wide Open." McGee is in Alaska with Gibbs, enjoying some quality bonding time together, and during filming, Murray noticed something magical: "When we were out in that water filming, knee-deep, fly fishing, we got a steady cam operator out there," Murray told TV Insider, "and at one point, we're doing the scene where we're basically saying goodbye to each other. And I look around, all of our crew is crying, so I felt like we were doing something right."

It's understandable that watching an actor embody a character, especially one as beloved as Gibbs, for so many years would leave an indelible mark on those who worked with him for so long — even as he's remained in the franchise through voiceover as narrator of the young Gibbs series, "NCIS: Origins."

"NCIS: Origins" has been providing fans with even greater insight into what makes Gibbs tick, after they heard plenty of stories and saw him interact with people from his past throughout the lengthy run of "NCIS." Suffice it to say, Gibbs has earned a nice retirement in Alaska, and Sean Murray even reflected on the valuable advice Gibbs imparted to McGee.

Gibbs has never been afraid to share some bits of wisdom with his co-workers and friends, and "Great Wide Open" was no different, as he tells McGee, "You're getting there, McGee. You just gotta find your rhythm. Be patient. It's about progress, not perfection. Once you know the basics, the rest just comes from inside." He may have been explicitly talking about fly fishing, but it was also solid guidance on how to live life. It wasn't about being perfect; it was about continuing to try to be better.

Murray told TV Insider, "That's one of my favorite scenes I've done, the goodbye with Mark. As hard as that was, at the same time my character saying goodbye to Mark, we had an incredible time." While it's tough to lose a series lead, "NCIS" did an admirable job of giving Gibbs a fitting sendoff that summed up how the other characters felt about him and how the audience felt about Mark Harmon.