When you think of NCIS, you probably think of silver-haired Leroy Jethro Gibbs staring down a suspect or McGee typing frantically on two keyboards at once. But for a decade, the show’s emotional glue didn't wear a badge. It wore a lab coat and carried a clipboard. Laura San Giacomo on NCIS first appeared as Dr. Grace Confalone in Season 13, and honestly, the show hasn't been the same since.
She wasn't just another doctor. She became the person who could actually crack the armor of the most stubborn federal agents in D.C.
The Therapist Who Called Gibbs "Popeye"
Most people know Laura San Giacomo from her iconic turn as Kit De Luca in Pretty Woman or the witty Maya Gallo on Just Shoot Me!. But on NCIS, she brought a completely different energy. Dr. Grace Confalone is a clinical psychiatrist who specializes in trauma, specifically within the military and intelligence communities.
What makes her role so special? She’s one of the few people who dared to stand toe-to-toe with Gibbs and not blink. In fact, she famously called him "Popeye." It was a tiny detail, but it signaled to the audience that she saw right through his "tough guy" exterior.
Why the Fans Latched On
Grace wasn't a series regular. She was recurring, appearing in about 14 episodes between 2016 and 2024. Yet, every time she showed up, the stakes felt higher. We weren't just solving a murder; we were peeling back the layers of a character’s psyche.
She first appeared in the episode "Loose Cannons" (Season 13, Episode 16). She was originally the therapist for Dr. Cyril Taft (played by Jon Cryer), but she quickly became a fixture in the lives of the MCRT.
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The Evolution of Laura San Giacomo on NCIS
As the years went by, Grace’s role shifted. She wasn't just Gibbs' sounding board anymore. She became a resource for the entire team.
- The Gibbs Years: Her early appearances focused on Gibbs’ inability to process his own grief. She pushed him. She didn't let him hide behind his rules.
- The Transition: When Jack Sloane (Maria Bello) left the show, many fans worried the "psychology" aspect of the series would vanish. Instead, Grace stepped up.
- The Parker Era: In recent seasons, particularly Season 21 and 22, she has become a vital confidante for Alden Parker (Gary Cole).
In the late 2024 episode "Out of Control," we saw a much more vulnerable side of the team. Parker was struggling with visions of a little girl—Lily—tied to a near-death experience. Who did he call when he nearly crashed a car full of agents? Grace.
She didn't just give him a pill. She walked him through the trauma of his mother’s past. That’s the "human-quality" writing that keeps people coming back to this character.
Is Laura San Giacomo Still on NCIS in 2026?
It’s a question that pops up every time a new season starts. As of early 2026, Laura San Giacomo remains a recurring guest star. Because she isn't a series regular, she doesn't appear in every episode, which actually makes her appearances feel like an "event."
Her character is currently one of the longest-tenured supporting players still active on the show. While many of the original cast members have moved on, Dr. Grace is a bridge between the old-school Gibbs era and the modern Parker era.
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A Quick Reality Check on the Stats
If you're looking for a breakdown of her most impactful episodes, here’s a rough look at her trajectory:
Season 13: 3 Episodes (The introduction)
Season 14-20: Steady 1-2 appearances per year
Season 21: 0 appearances (A brief hiatus that had fans worried!)
Season 22: 1 appearance (The crucial "Out of Control" episode)
Honestly, it’s impressive. Most guest stars on a procedural are forgotten after three weeks. Giacomo has stayed for ten years.
Why Her Casting Worked So Well
There’s a specific kind of "weight" that San Giacomo brings to a room. She’s small in stature, but her voice has this grounded, raspy authority. It makes sense for a therapist. You believe she’s seen it all.
Critics often point out that NCIS can sometimes feel like a formula. Murder, investigation, quirky lab scene, arrest. But the "Grace episodes" break that formula. They force the show to slow down. They focus on the mental health of first responders, which is a topic that has become increasingly important in the mid-2020s.
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What Most People Get Wrong
People often assume she was a replacement for Jack Sloane. That’s actually not true. Grace was there before Sloane and stayed after Sloane. While Sloane was an NCIS employee, Grace is an outsider. She’s Walter Reed staff.
That "outsider" status is her superpower. She doesn't have to answer to Director Vance. She doesn't have to follow NCIS protocol. She only has to care about her patients. This allows her to tell the agents things their coworkers can’t.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you’re trying to catch up on the best of Laura San Giacomo on NCIS, don't just watch every episode. Focus on the "emotional arc" episodes:
- "Loose Cannons" (13x16): Her debut. See where it all started.
- "Privileged Information" (14x03): This is where she has to balance patient confidentiality with a murder investigation. It’s classic Dr. Grace.
- "Lost Time" (16x23): Gibbs finally starts to break, and Grace is the only one who can help him put the pieces back together.
- "Out of Control" (22x08): The most recent deep dive into Parker’s backstory.
Moving Forward
Looking ahead at the rest of 2026, rumors suggest we haven't seen the last of Dr. Confalone. With the show reaching its historic 23rd season, the writers are leaning more into long-term character development.
If you want to understand the modern soul of the show, stop looking at the forensics and start looking at the therapy sessions. Dr. Grace isn't just a doctor; she's the guardian of the team's sanity.
Next Steps:
If you're a fan of San Giacomo's work, you might want to revisit her 2022-2023 run on The Santa Clauses or her guest spot on Barry. For NCIS specifically, keep an eye on the Season 22 finale—guest stars of her caliber are frequently brought back for major cliffhangers.