In an episode that felt like a gift to long-time fans, NCIS: Origins just welcomed a beloved character from the original show. Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard arrived at Camp Pendleton, bringing his signature charm and intellect to a chilling new case. The episode, which aired on October 28, 2025, served as both a pivotal chapter in the team’s early days and a touching tribute to actor David McCallum.
The team’s investigation into a woman found frozen in a restaurant freezer took a shocking turn, revealing a deadly conspiracy. At the same time, Ducky’s visit helped shape the future quirks of the agents and began his legendary friendship with a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
A Suspicious Welcome at Camp Pendleton
Dr. Mallard’s arrival from Washington, D.C., was met with immediate suspicion. His official mission was to evaluate whether the Camp Pendleton team needed its own in-house medical examiner. However, the team, led by Mike Franks, was convinced his visit was a pretext for something else.
Rumors were swirling about a potential restructuring of the entire agency, and Franks believed Ducky was really there to gather intel that could lead to job cuts. This tension was clear when Franks, already in a bad mood over unrelated budget issues, kicked Ducky out of his first crime scene. The team struggled to trust the liaison’s true motives, setting a rocky stage for his visit.
The Case of the Frozen Victim
The investigation that greeted Ducky was anything but simple. The body of Mimi Lam, the wife of a Navy lieutenant commander, was discovered frozen solid in a walk-in freezer at her family’s restaurant. While it initially looked like a tragic accident, Ducky’s examination quickly proved it was murder.
He determined that Mimi had been strangled before being placed in the freezer. A crucial piece of evidence was a note clutched in her hand with the word “ROLAM.” The team first thought it was an accusation, possibly pointing to her husband, Roland. However, they soon realized “RoLam” was simply Mimi’s computer password. She had been working multiple IT jobs to support the struggling restaurant, and her work had led her to a dangerous discovery.
Ducky’s Profound Impact on the Team
Beyond solving the case, Ducky’s presence had a deep effect on each member of the team. He served as a confidant and counselor, helping them through personal struggles.
Lala Dominguez, who is recovering from a traumatic brain injury, confided in Ducky. She was worried about how her injury was changing her, even causing her to dislike foods she once loved. Ducky, a former doctor for living patients, reassured her. He told her that her core self remained unchanged and encouraged her to adapt to a new normal.
In a surprising moment of vulnerability, Mike Franks also opened up to Ducky. He was concerned about his dog, Gary Callahan, who had been diagnosed with depression. Ducky gently suggested that the dog might be mirroring Franks’s own emotional state. This led Franks to admit he was struggling with a complicated relationship with his brother. Ducky’s simple, wise advice helped both Lala and Franks see their situations in a new light.
Uncovering a Deadly Conspiracy
The investigation into Mimi Lam’s death revealed a far-reaching plot. The password in her hand gave the team access to her computer files, where they found she had copied data onto a floppy disk. The data showed that a local seed-packing plant was secretly developing a dangerous nerve agent.
Mimi had frozen herself in the freezer as a final, brave act. She knew the toxin could only be detected and transported while frozen, and she sacrificed herself to preserve the evidence. Ducky was initially devastated, fearing that thawing her body for the autopsy had destroyed the proof. However, he remembered a key detail: a porcelain molar in her mouth. Because porcelain retains cold longer than tissue, the molar still contained traces of the nerve agent, providing the evidence needed to close the case and arrest the culprits.
The Start of a Legendary Friendship
The episode provided meaningful backstory for the decades-long friendship between Ducky and Gibbs. The two had met serendipitously twelve years earlier, but Gibbs, a man of few words, was initially reluctant to reminisce. Ducky, however, fondly remembered their past, including a day of drinking in Washington, D.C., where they became fascinated by a ship in a bottle displayed in a shop window.
In a touching moment before leaving Pendleton, Ducky gave Gibbs a gift: a ship in a bottle. The gift struck a chord with Gibbs, inspiring him to revisit his childhood hobby of boat-building, a pastime fans of the original NCIS know would become his signature retreat. In return, Gibbs gave Ducky a piece of advice that would define his career. He encouraged Ducky to talk to the deceased victims during autopsies, just as he did with his living patients. This kicked off Ducky’s iconic habit of holding conversations in the morgue.
Actor Adam Campbell, who plays the young Ducky, spoke about stepping back into the role. “I hadn’t done anything in that universe for a few years so I was a little bit nervous to get back into it,” he said. He also noted the deep connection between the two characters, adding, “by the end of the episode, you realize there is a very strong, deep connection there.”
A Fitting Tribute to an Icon
The episode, titled “The Edge,” served as a heartfelt tribute to David McCallum, the original Ducky, who passed away in 2023. The title is a direct reference to a song McCallum released in 1966, and the episode featured his music. It ended with a title card dedicated to him, reading, “This episode is dedicated to, and features music performed by our friend, David McCallum. 1933-2023.”
This special hour of television successfully wove together a compelling mystery, significant character development, and a loving homage, showing how one man’s visit forever changed the course of the team’s history.
Also Read: NCIS: Origins Brings Back Young Ducky for Special Tribute Episode
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