By Michaela Gordoni
NCIS’ Brian Dietzen, AKA Dr. Jimmy Palmer, says fans are in for a treat when they see the series’ 500th episode.
“People are going to absolutely lose their minds,” Dietzen told TV Insider. “Everybody I talked to at the network said it’s probably one of the most affecting and emotional episodes we’ve ever done.”
Season 23’s 17th and 18th episodes are also a treat.
“They’re pretty special,” said Dietzen. “One of the episodes does focus a lot on where Jimmy’s at in his personal life and where he’s giving himself new challenges. And then the next episode focuses quite a bit on Diona, Kasie’s character. But some really wonderful things.”
Related: Are You Ready for NCIS Episode 500?
He promised the second half of the season is “one banger after another. You don’t [know it will keep going] because I’ll never forget, David McCallum once told me, ‘An entire hit television show can be taken down by four bad episodes,’ and he was speaking from experience,” he shared. “He was on THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. He said, ‘We had four bad shows in a row and it was over.’”
He feels like its his job to help make the show great and to keep it alive.
“So we just got to keep working hard. And I think we’ve got a great group of people to do it,” he said, and at 23 seasons, the pressure is on.
Dietzen said of episode 500, “I would say that for each of our other 100th episodes, celebrations, the 100, 200, 300, 400, they’ve generally been retrospective; like look back and celebration shows of what it is. And this episode is not that. It’s very atypical.”
He called the episode series “defining,” suggesting that it will shape future episodes.
“So it’s an event, and it’s one that I think if you miss it and you hear about it the next day, you’re going to be kicking yourself that you didn’t just get to see it with your own eyes first,” he said.
Gary Cole, who plays Special Agent Alden Parker, said the show has worked out for so long because it’s got a great cast and crew.
“You cannot be in an environment like this and get the work done successfully, and be sane, unless there is love involved,” he said. “That’s what I saw when I got here. That’s what I still see. There’s a vibe, for lack of a better word, that is positive, supportive, just the old corny phrase that we’re in this together.”
The series 500th episode comes out March 24 on CBS.
Read Next: Cut the Cake! NCIS Celebrates 500th Episode
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