NCIS Season 21’s Latest Sci-Fi Actor Cameo Creates A Franchise Plot Hole 18 Years In The Making
A recent sci-fi actor cameo in NCIS season 21 created a plot hole for the franchise that was 18 years in the making. Over its historic 21-season run, the NCIS franchise has seen its fair share of noteworthy guest appearances, like Millie Bobby Brown’s appearance in NCIS season 12. Sometimes guests reappear, like Sean Murray’s Timothy McGee, who went from guest star to 21-year regular. Other times, guest stars are killed off and never seen again. While their deaths can complicate a guest star’s reappearance on the show, that probably won’t stop one sci-fi actor from reentering the NCISverse.
NCIS has been on television for over 20 years, passing a two-decade milestone. The current season has seen a shortened episode count, airing 10 episodes instead of its usual 20 plus, due to the 2023 Writer’s Guild of America strike. As such, the season has packed major events into season 21, with the NCIS 1000th Episode celebrating 1000 episodes across the franchise’s collective shows. The franchise had a lot in store for NCIS season 21, including one sci-fi actor who could appear again (even though the character was killed off in season 21) due to the actor’s history with NCIS.
Dr. Erik Harper Is Tim Russ’ Third Cameo Role In The NCIS Franchise (All As Different Characters)
NCIS season 21 saw the return of Tim Russ, marking the third appearance of the Star Trek: Voyagers actor in the franchise. Oddly enough, rather than portraying a recurring character, Russ represents a different character each time he steps into the NCISverse. Russ’ first appearance in NCIS was on the mothership in season 3, episode 22, “Jeopardy.” He had a brief role as a luxury car rental service’s head of security at a hotel connected to the Major Case Response Team. With his two appearances, though, Russ wound up creating a plot hole for the franchise.
Russ appeared again in NCIS: New Orleans season 4, episode 13, “Ties That Bind.” Russ’s role in the New Orleans spinoff was more substantial, as he portrayed Felix Hill, an old friend of Dwayne Pride (Scott Bakula), who owns a jazz club called Delilah’s. He was close with the Special Agent in Charge because Pride’s mother previously performed at the club. Most recently, the actor made a cameo in NCIS season 21, episode 8, “Heartless,” where Russ portrays Naval Commander Erik Harper, a cardiothoracic heart surgeon who is kidnapped to perform surgery and murdered when he fails to perform.
Tim Russ’ NCIS Season 21 Cameo Has A Great Connection To His Famous Star Trek Role
Tim Russ’ NCIS season 21 cameo had appropriate ties to his famous sci-fi role. Russ is best known for portraying Lieutenant Commander Tuvok in Star Trek: Voyager. However, in an interview with trekmovie.com, Russ revealed that he read for the doctor’s role in Voyager, and Deep Space Nine, but the stars didn’t align. That said, Russ has portrayed at least a dozen doctors in his career, including in shows like General Hospital and Castle. It was disappointing that Russ’ skills got his chararacter kidnapped and murdered in NCIS season 21, but there’s a path for Tim Russ to return.
Tim Russ Can Return To The NCIS Universe (If The Show Follows The Same Format As Before)
If the NCIS franchise follows the same format as before, Tim Russ can easily reemerge in the NCISverse (even after the best heart surgeon in the world was shot in the back of the head). After all, it’s become clear at this point that plot holes are hardly an obstacle when it comes to Russ’ place in the franchise. NCIS has been willing to part with canon before to feature Russ as a new character, and it’s a trend worth repeating.NCIS has also featured T.J. Thyne as multiple characters in NCIS: Carl, a warehouse manager in NCIS season 1, and Fletcher Voss in NCIS season 21. NCIS history suggests Russ will, in time, have a chance to redeem Harper’s untimely death.
