Entertainment NCIS season 19 just solved Gibbs' basement boats mystery

NCIS season 19 spoilers follow.

The ongoing mystery surrounding Leroy Jethro Gibbs and his boats in the basement was finally solved during this week's episode of NCIS.

Fans have long wondered how Mark Harmon's character manages to get his lovingly hand-crafted boats out of his basement without any obvious exit for them.

Well, wonder no more, as the latest instalment answered that particular question in emphatic style.

© Bill Inoshita/CBS via Getty Images Mark Harmon, Sean Murray, NCIS

It's all thanks to Gary Cole's FBI agent Alden Parker, who went searching for the AWOL commander at his home in the latest season 19 episode 'Great Wide Open'.

NCIS season 19: Director Vance hints Gibbs' permanent return in explosive season premiere

NCIS has returned from its summer break with a thrilling new season and the search for Gibbs' elusive serial killer will continue next week.Gibbs could eventually return to the NCIS at some point in the popular crime drama's new season.

As Parker lit up the basement with a flashlight, viewers could clearly see that one of the walls had an enormous boat-shaped hole in it.

Essentially, this suggests that Gibbs breaks through the wall on each occasion a boat needs moving – bricking it back up upon his return.

© CBS Gibbs' cellar wall, NCIS season 19

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As well as long-serving viewers, many characters in this universe have themselves wondered just how he manages to remove those boats.

Nicholas Torres jokingly speculated in the last episode: "Moveable walls, pulley systems... your house has a coal tunnel underneath?"

Let's be honest, did anyone see that bulldozer of a technique coming?

NCIS Season 19: Mark Harmon officially leaves the series in episode 4

and it is the end for Gibbs. After more than 18 seasons on the antenna, Mark Harmon officially hangs up his cap: Episode 4 of the 19 NCIS season, broadcast on Monday, October 11 in the United States on CBS, marked the last appearance of the actor 'screen. Here's how the star left the series, currently broadcast every Friday on M6. Attention, spoilers.

© Ali Goldstein/CBS via Getty Images NCIS - Gibbs (Mark Harmon)

Related: NCIS: LA season 13 premiere shares emotional tribute to late crew member Michele Poulik

Another piece of news that came out of NCIS this week concerned the future of Gibbs, after the character decided to stay put in Alaska after hunting a contract killer out there.

While this serves as Harmon's exit from the series as a regular, showrunner Steve Binder commented: "As an executive producer and dear friend, Mark continues to be an integral part of the fabric of the show.

"Our north star has always been staying true to our characters, and that truth has always guided the stories we tell and where those characters go. So regarding the future of Gibbs, as longtime fans of the show may have noticed over the years... never count Leroy Jethro Gibbs out."

© Bill Inoshita/CBS via Getty Images NCIS season 19 finally solved the mystery surrounding Gibbs and his boats in the basement this week.

Keep your eyes peeled.

NCIS boss teases possible return for Mark Harmon following his dramatic exit

"Never count Leroy Jethro Gibbs out."NCIS star Mark Harmon has officially left the show as a series regular – but a return could still happen in the future.

NCIS airs on CBS in the US.