NCIS Makes Tony DiNozzo McGee's Probie in Season 24

Tony DiNozzo's return to NCIS brings a role reversal with longtime colleague Timothy McGee in the episode scheduled for Tuesday, October 13. As Tony begins his new position as deputy director, McGee jokes that his former mentor can become his probationary agent, reviving a familiar dynamic from their years together on the CBS crime drama.

According to an exclusive preview published by Us Weekly, the exchange begins when Tony asks McGee about mentoring a new agent. Tony previously called McGee a probie when McGee was a probationary agent joining the team, making the reversal a callback to their shared history.

Tony initially assumes McGee has not selected a trainee, prompting the two colleagues to discuss the informal responsibility of mentoring new agents. McGee eventually points out that he has already served as acting director several times, while Tony is just beginning his leadership role.

“OK, tell me, who’s your probie?” Tony asks McGee.

McGee denies having an assigned trainee during their conversation.

“I don’t have one,” McGee says.

Tony then reframes the question, temporarily setting aside his authority as deputy director to ask who McGee wants to mentor.

“OK, I’m going to take my director hat off. So who’s your guy or gal?” Tony asks.

McGee insists that the agency has not assigned him a probationary agent.

“Tony, I’m serious. They never assigned me a probie,” McGee says.

Tony explains that agents must choose someone to mentor rather than wait for an assignment.

“They don’t assign anyone a probie, you gotta take one. Someone to mentor,” Tony says.

McGee responds with a sarcastic description of the mentoring experience.

“To torture,” McGee says.

Tony embraces the joke before using his new position to push McGee into choosing a trainee.

“Exactly. Everyone benefits,” Tony says.

He then resumes his official role and issues McGee a direct instruction.

“I am ordering you, get a probie,” Tony says.

McGee appears to reconsider the situation and suggests that he has found a suitable candidate.

“Ooh, OK, you know what? I think I may have someone,” McGee says.

He explains that his previous experience as acting director gives him an advantage over Tony, whose first day in the position is approaching.

“I served as acting director several times already. This is pretty much your first day on the job,” McGee says.

Tony responds by joking about the consequences of McGee's suggestion.

“Danger, Will Robinson, I can have you court marshalled,” Tony says.

McGee closes the exchange by embracing the reversal of their traditional roles.

“Whatever you say, probie,” McGee says.

The preview also shows the pair catching up over coffee at NCIS headquarters. Their conversation turns to Tony's living arrangements when McGee mentions that his wife, Delilah, has redecorated their former apartment.

McGee raises the possibility that Tony might want his old apartment back.

“I hope you’re not here to ask for your old apartment back, because Delilah just redecorated,” McGee says.

Tony jokes that he has already discussed the matter with McGee's wife, briefly leaving McGee concerned that his former partner might move in with his family.

“Oh, no, I’ve already spoken to Delilah. She’s OK with it,” Tony says.

McGee asks for clarification as Tony continues the joke.

“What do you mean?” McGee asks.

Tony quickly reveals that he has secured other accommodations.

“Kidding. I found another place,” Tony says.

During the reunion, another person greets Tony using his new title, prompting McGee to acknowledge how unusual the promotion sounds to him.

“Afternoon, director,” the unidentified person says.

McGee remains unaccustomed to hearing his longtime colleague addressed as a director.

“Director DiNozzo. Still doesn’t sound real,” McGee says.

Tony responds with a joke about getting used to the title.

“I’m hoping repetition helps,” Tony says.

McGee then explains that his surprise stems from remembering Tony's unconventional behavior during their years as agents.

“Not that I don’t think you can do the job, you know. It’s just, I keep picturing the guy who drove a Corvette with his feet,” McGee says.

Tony defends the incident by explaining that he was under fire and argues that his new responsibilities present a different challenge.

“I was being shot at. And believe it or not, this is harder,” Tony says.

He also describes the demands of his new position, including the time he has spent learning about national security concerns facing the U.S. Navy.

“I spent the last week learning what keeps the U.S. Navy up at night. And this job requires both hands and both feet,” Tony says.

Michael Weatherly, 58, left NCIS in 2016 after 13 seasons, while Sean Murray, 48, has been part of the series since its debut. The characters worked together for more than a decade before Tony departed to establish a private security agency overseas.

Tony received the deputy director position during the Season 24 premiere. NCIS airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on CBS.