NCIS season finales were notorious for having its viewers holding onto their seats due to its action-packed cliffhangers. However, it may be different this season as the cast of the TV series will pay tribute to actor Ralph Waite who died in February.

TV Guide cited NCIS creator Gary Glasberg, "Everyone involved really wanted to do this. We wanted to do this properly and say goodbye to a character that we all really enjoyed writing over the years, and goodbye to an actor that meant a lot to us. ...This was such a significant event for us, both on-screen and off, that we wanted to handle it properly and do it well, and let people mourn the passing of Gibbs' dad with him."

Actor Ralph Waite died last February at the age of 85. He has been in the show business for 60 years and has become the most-loved father in "The Waltons" which aired 42 years ago.

In the final episode entitled "Honor Thy Father," Gibbs will return home for the funeral of his father, Jackson. The episode will also reveal a few things about Gibbs. Moreover, the episode will also reveal more about Jackson Gibbs' past through a series of flashbacks. Rob Norton will play the younger version of Jackson.

"It's a really touching, emotional look back and looking forward at Gibbs and the loss of his father. [Fans will get] more insight into what makes Gibbs who he is, some stuff from his childhood and morally, just who he is," Glasberg said.

Gibbs will also work on a case wherein a Navy ship was lit on fire to allow terrorists detained in the ship to escape. However, with the death of his father, Gibbs cannot focus.

The show will also undergo many changes this year. Glasberg is already prepping up for the spin-off NCIS: New Orleans. Fans and viewers should expect a finale that will neatly close the season.

Catch the NCIS Season 11 finale on Tuesday at 8/7c on CBS.