It was interesting to see how various shows chose to treat the COVID-19 pandemic at its height. On Grey's Anatomy, they leaned right into it with every precaution shown onscreen, as well as the heartbreaking grief and exhaustion felt by the medical community. They even gave Meredith COVID and had her in a coma for most of Season 17.

We definitely saw masks on NCIS but their approach was naturally more subtle since the show is not set in a hospital. The writers of NCIS chose to keep Breena's death off-screen with viewers discerning via Jimmy's actions that she died from COVID-19. In an interview with ET, Brian elaborated as to why the show chose Breena for such a difficult situation.

"The producers let me know that we want the advent of COVID to hit our team," Brian told ET. "And yet, we don't want to lose a team member," he said.

Brian went on to explain that because his character is an eternal optimist, they felt he would be the best vehicle for this devastating storyline. Brian was also very clear that at the center of this is the question of what Jimmy will do. How will he process this tragedy? When will he move on? Actually, that part might be happening soon.