TV's Emotional Double Take: NCIS and Chicago Med Face Major Exits

Olivia Bennett, 8/29/2025Explore the bittersweet farewells in TV's beloved franchises as "NCIS: Origins" pays tribute to David McCallum with a heartfelt episode, while "Chicago Med" faces a significant exit with Marlyne Barrett's departure. Emotional moments and familiar faces keep audiences coming back for more!

CBS is pulling at our collective heartstrings with "NCIS: Origins," crafting what promises to be a tear-jerker tribute to the late David McCallum. The episode (rather cleverly titled "The Edge") sees Adam Campbell dusting off his bow tie to step back into the role of young Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard. And darlings, this isn't just another crime-of-the-week offering.

The showrunners — Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North — are practically glowing with reverence as they discuss their plans to honor their departed colleague. In a particularly touching twist, they're weaving McCallum's own musical composition "The Edge" into the fabric of the episode. Now that's what you call a meta moment with meaning.

But wait — there's more drama brewing over at NBC, where "Chicago Med" is about to feel a whole lot emptier. Marlyne Barrett, who's been the show's steady pulse for ten years as Nurse Maggie Lockwood, is taking a step back. (Personal reasons, darlings — and let's respect that.) The timing? Oh, it's deliciously dramatic, coming right after Maggie led that fierce nurses' sick-out protest storyline. Talk about going out with a bang!

The Emergency Department will soldier on with veterans S. Epatha Merkerson and Oliver Platt holding down the fort as the last original cast standing. Though whispers in the halls of Chicago's favorite fictional hospital suggest Barrett's locker isn't being cleaned out just yet — the door's apparently still wide open for a return. Wouldn't that be something?

Speaking of returns, former "Chicago Med" heartthrob Nick Gehlfuss is swooping back in for a guest appearance this season. Because darling, in the world of network television, goodbye is more of a "see you later" — usually right around sweeps week.

The "NCIS: Origins" tribute feels particularly poignant, with Campbell's young Ducky giving us a peek at the beloved character's early days at Camp Pendleton. It's like flipping through an old photo album, only with more naval crimes to solve.

These parallel storylines remind us why we keep coming back to these procedural powerhouses year after year. It's never really been about the cases or the medical emergencies — it's about the family drama playing out behind those badges and scrubs. And honey, family drama never goes out of style.

Television's beloved franchises are serving up a bittersweet cocktail of farewells and tributes this fall, proving that even in 2025, some of the small screen's most cherished relationships still pack an emotional wallop.CBS is pulling at our collective heartstrings with "NCIS: Origins," crafting what promises to be a tear-jerker tribute to the late David McCallum. The episode (rather cleverly titled "The Edge") sees Adam Campbell dusting off his bow tie to step back into the role of young Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard. And darlings, this isn't just another crime-of-the-week offering.The showrunners — Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North — are practically glowing with reverence as they discuss their plans to honor their departed colleague. In a particularly touching twist, they're weaving McCallum's own musical composition "The Edge" into the fabric of the episode. Now that's what you call a meta moment with meaning.But wait — there's more drama brewing over at NBC, where "Chicago Med" is about to feel a whole lot emptier. Marlyne Barrett, who's been the show's steady pulse for ten years as Nurse Maggie Lockwood, is taking a step back. (Personal reasons, darlings — and let's respect that.) The timing? Oh, it's deliciously dramatic, coming right after Maggie led that fierce nurses' sick-out protest storyline. Talk about going out with a bang!The Emergency Department will soldier on with veterans S. Epatha Merkerson and Oliver Platt holding down the fort as the last original cast standing. Though whispers in the halls of Chicago's favorite fictional hospital suggest Barrett's locker isn't being cleaned out just yet — the door's apparently still wide open for a return. Wouldn't that be something?Speaking of returns, former "Chicago Med" heartthrob Nick Gehlfuss is swooping back in for a guest appearance this season. Because darling, in the world of network television, goodbye is more of a "see you later" — usually right around sweeps week.The "NCIS: Origins" tribute feels particularly poignant, with Campbell's young Ducky giving us a peek at the beloved character's early days at Camp Pendleton. It's like flipping through an old photo album, only with more naval crimes to solve.These parallel storylines remind us why we keep coming back to these procedural powerhouses year after year. It's never really been about the cases or the medical emergencies — it's about the family drama playing out behind those badges and scrubs. And honey, family drama never goes out of style.