The end of an era is coming for NCIS with the departure of Pauley Perrette as Abby Sciuto. Abby has been one of the few constants of the series, having been around the show from the very beginning, and fans have been dreading her departure ever since the news that Perrette was leaving broke back in October 2017. Her second-to-last episode set her grand farewell up as something heartbreaking, and Perrette revealed her plan for how she would watch her final episode, saying this:
I just need to be with my dogs, I just need to be alone. I've had a long time to come to terms with what's going on, and I've really tried to navigate this as faithfully as I can for my fans. That's been my main priority, to really try to be as respectful as I can to them and give them plenty of warning. It's a big deal for them. I'm just going to be sitting here doing what I do best and drinking beers with my dogs on the couch, but the dogs don't drink because they're not 21.
Pauley Perrette's comments to People reveal that she's not celebrating Abby's final episode with a big party or house full of guests. Instead, she wants to experience her final episode with the company of her dogs, her couch, and a couple of cold ones. It's understandable that she might not want a house full of people with her as she watches her final hour on the series. Perrette has inhabited the role of Abby not just on 15 seasons of NCIS, but also on JAG before NCIS even launched.
Leaving NCIS closes a very big chapter for her, and perhaps a night in with the dogs is exactly what she needs. She already admitted that she's grieving Abby. Fans will undoubtedly be relieved to know that Pauley Perrette has their feelings as a top priority for her big goodbye to the series. She tweeted earlier this week that she's "so worried for you guys" for the episode, which understandably didn't soothe the nerves of any viewers who have been dying to see what happens after that crazy cliffhanger.
That said, Pauley Perrette seems firm that she made the right decision to leave the series and announce it the way that she did. Perrette's fond memories from her time on the show prove that she doesn't harbor bitterness toward the people she's leaving behind. Abby's final episode is not the final episode of NCIS in Season 15. The big finale will air on Tuesday, May 22 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
For more important dates at the end of the 2017-2018 TV season, take a look at our rundown of big TV finale dates. If you still need ideas of what to watch sooner rather than later, our summer TV premiere guide can help you out. NCIS was renewed for Season 16, so fans don't need to worry about seeing the other characters again, even if Abby won't be around.
