Ducky’s emotional tribute episode lacked expected cameos but set up the new NCIS expansion show with Tony and Ziva. Tony’s brief appearance during Ducky’s send-off now makes sense as he and Ziva are on the run in the upcoming NCIS: Europe spinoff. Ziva’s absence at Ducky’s funeral is explained by the dangerous circumstances of her and Tony being together with their daughter, Tali.The exciting updates in the bigger NCIS franchise explain why Ducky’s tribute episode was disappointing. David McCallum’s beloved character was given an emotional send-off in NCIS season 21, episode 2, “The Stories We Leave Behind.” Agent Alden Parker and the rest of the team band together to solve the final case that Ducky was working on before passing away, and while there was no doubt that the squad was going to be able to crack the mystery, there was still some disappointment over the lack of cameos in the outing.