This is the first season not to feature David McCallum (as Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard), who died on September 25, 2023, though he is still posthumously credited in the first two episodes.

Prior to his death, he was helping a young woman uncover the truth behind scathing accusations against her father (a Marine veteran) by a councilman who's running for Senate.

After the case is solved, the team recalls fond memories of Ducky, and DiNozzo shows up to pay his respects and offer words of comfort to Jimmy.

Director Vance is shot while visiting his late wife’s gravestone, and the investigation eventually reveals that the entire agency is a target for revenge because of a case Gibbs worked on years earlier that involved Air Force One.

Meanwhile, while recovering, Vance attempts to reconcile with his son, Jared, over the former's reasons of wanting to stay as the NCIS director.