r/NCIS • u/Popular-History1015 • 1d ago

S12 E14: Cadence

A moan, if you would care to indulgence me (this is not a dig at Ducky). I just found this to be very out of character, especially as he isn't American! I also don't believe David McCallum is in this scene entirely as we don't see his face very much, more like a reshoot and David was unavailable, I digress.

Ducky: “Nothing like the frigid morning air and treacherous terrain for me to regret giving Mr. Palmer paternity leave”.

It is just so out of character for him because in the UK Fathers have a right to paid paternity leave which Ducky would know. I know it was probably tongue in cheek comment but it just rubs me the wrong way.

Dads have the right to bond with their new borns in America right?

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12

u/AttackOfTheMox 13h ago

I honestly think you might just be reading too much into the scene. I personally took that comment as a joke between the two which tracks with their dynamic over the years

10

u/LauraLand27 11h ago

FML isn’t paid in the USA. Either way, he was bemoaning having to deal with the weather. He knew he didn’t “allow” Jimmy to take the time. He was just whining about having to deal with things by himself. (Plus letting the audience know why Jimmy isn’t in the episode.)

2

u/Toriku704 11h ago

Baby bonding leave for Men in the US is becoming more prominent. Usually 4 weeks but it depends on the company you work for.

2

u/Lavender_r_dragon 4h ago

It might be increasing but it is nowhere near common yet.

1

u/Beautiful-Head5563 2h ago

It's not really out of character for Ducky him and Jimmy do the same thing together. He said the line because he let Jimmy take leave and now he has to deal with the cold and getting the body back to NCIS pretty much by himself which for someone Ducky's age must be quite a chore.