I also think the author missed the real point. This (most likely) death just impacts Gibbs further. She didn't replace Shannon, but had her own special place in his heart, one that never got to be investigated, before she was taken away. It just added to the mental approach that kept him from successful long term relationships, in the future.

I thought the whole final show was very well handled, although I would have liked, at least, a quick kiss... I still sometimes wake up with Simon & Garfunkel playing in my head.