Summary
NCIShas had many character deaths over the years, but there is one specific death I have never gotten over, even six years on.NCIShas been on the air for over 20 years and has featured several exciting and tragic plot lines. The show is known for its dramatic character exits, but it still does not hurt any less when a favorite character leaves. One character’s death six years ago continues to play in the back of my mind whenever I watchNCIS.
Ahead ofNCISseason 22, I can not help but think about how manyNCIScharacters leftthe show over the years. While some character exits seem planned and fitting for the character’s storyline, others can be more surprising, emphasizing that surprises are to be expected when watchingNCIS. There have always been a fewNCISdeaths that have stood out to me, but one in particular continues to rankle, especially given its tragic and random nature.
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Clayton Reeves' NCIS Death Still Bothers Me
Clayton Was Killed Too Soon
Clayton Reeves’NCISdeath continues to bother me six years after his final episode. It was revealed that Duane Henry’s Clayton Reeves was killed in the season 15 episode “Two Steps Back” in 2018. Clayton heroically died while protecting Abby from a supposed mugging gone wrong. At first, his death seemed random, since it appeared to be the result of a robbery. But as the episode goes on, it is revealed that Abby was the original target andClayton was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The episode reiterated thatno character is safe inNCIS.
The circumstances of Clayton’s death make it all the more tragic, since he was just trying to protect Abby. I’m especially bothered by the episode because of how sudden it was. Clayton was only on the show for two seasons before he was killed off, and to make matters worse, he was on good terms with all of his teammates. In Clayton’s last episode, Ellie even regrets not having told Clayton that he was like a brother to her.Clayton had so much more potential, and I’m especially sad that we were not able to see how his character could grow.
Clayton Reeves' Death Was Made Worse By Abby’s Exit
Clayton’s Death Set Up Abby’s Exit
In the same episode that Clayton dies, Abby announces herNCISexit. In honor of Clayton’s memory, and the memory of his mother, Abby decides to leaveNCISto start a charity to help the homeless. She tells the team that she is leaving in the end of episode 22, and it just felt like two exits were stacked on top of each other. Abby’s exit made Clayton’s death even worse because it seemed like his death was written into the show so that Abby could leave unharmed, unlike many otherNCIScharacters.
It is not unusual forNCIScharacters to be written off the show, but to have two likable characters written off so close to each other, in the same episode even, makes it so much worse.
It is not unusual forNCIScharacters to be written off the show, but to have two likable characters written off so close to each other, in the same episode, makes it so much worse. I really liked both Clayton and Abby, so their combined exit makes the season 15 episode all the more painful. Because of the circumstances of Clayton’s exit, I always felt like his death was overshadowed by Abby’s exit, despite being memorably tragic. Clayton could have had a harmless exit like a career change. Instead,Clayton’s death was used to justify Abby’s exit.
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In Hindsight, Clayton Reeves' NCIS Death Hasn’t Aged Well
Clayton’s Death Continues A Painful Trend
Clayton’s death has not aged well because it continues a painful trend amongNCIScharacters. While Clayton’s exit was upsetting in the moment, it also continues to be upsetting becauseit is part of a series of unexpected character deaths.NCISset the precedent for unexpected deaths with the murder of Kate Todd in season 2. Even though it should not be surprising that this continues to happen, it remains shocking each and every time because we learn to love these characters.
Another reason why Clayton’s death has not aged well is because it is another example of a changing cast.NCIShas been on the air for over two decades, so it makes sense that characters will come and go over time, but it does not make it any less painful when a beloved character leaves the show.It is relieving when characters get to change their careersor retire, as was the case withMark Harmon’sNCISexit, but as was shown with Clayton, that is all too uncommon inNCIS.
NCIS
Cast
NCIS is a television series that follows a team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Premiering in 2003, the show explores various cases involving Navy and Marine Corps personnel, ranging from murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines.
