Warning! Spoilers ahead for the NCIS: Origins premiere.NCIS: Originskeeps things vague when it comes to Mark Harmon’s location in the premiere and who old Leroy Jethro Gibbs may be talking to. A few years since the actor officially left the flagship series, he is returning to the franchise via a new spinoff. While the evolvingNCISfranchise has seen its fair share of expansion series in the past,NCIS: Originsis the first prequel offshoot in the universe. Set in the ’90s, it tacklesGibbs' start in the agency, then known as NIS, as part of Mike Franks' (Kyle Schmid) team.
NCIS: Originsrecasts the role of young Gibbs with Austin Stowell, who will be the main version of the character in the spinoff. Similar toYoung Sheldon, however, the prequel features Harmon as the narrator. Initially, the actor was only supposed to do the voice-over while also serving as an executive producer. After his premiere on-screen appearance was announced, however, it was subsequently revealed that he would occasionally pop up asNCIS: Originsexpanded his role.Harmon appears in “Enter Sandman Part 1” and “Enter Sandman Part 2,“piquing curiosity about his situation.
NCIS: Origins Premiere Reveals Mark Harmon’s Gibbs Is Out In The Wilderness
Gibbs Is Still In Alaska
TheNCIS: Originspremiere opens with Harmon asold Gibbs in the wilderness. He’s building a fire and seemingly camping out overnight. The episodes cut between him and Stowell’s version of the character from 1991 in Oceanside, California. At this point, Kelly and Shannon are already dead, and young Gibbs is clearly still reeling from the loss. So much so that he has also been brawling. He gets a chance to work with the NIS as Franks recruits him. Harmon’s Gibbs, on the other hand, doesn’t exactly narrateNCIS: Origins.Instead, he’s sharing his thoughts as he reminisces.
…Gibbs has really stayed in Alaska all throughout this time since he walked away from MCRT.
While there are no clear markers revealing where Old Gibbs is, there are clues about his location. For starters, the overhead shot of the winding river suggests that he is still in Alaska. The cap that he wears fromTitus Bait & Tackle, Bristol Bay, Alaska, effectively confirms this. For context, this is the same headgear that he was sporting when Tim McGee left his former boss in Naktok Bay duringHarmon’s farewell episode inNCISseason 19. This means that Gibbs has really stayed in Alaska all throughout this time since he walked away from MCRT.
Old Gibbs Is Writing Down The Events Of NCIS: Origins (But Is He Talking To Someone?)
Harmon’s Gibbs May Be Having One Of His Famous Conversations With The Ghost Of Mike Franks
Aside from his location, Harmon’sNCIS: Originspremiere also answers a big question about the prequel — why Gibbs is revisiting this story about his earliest years in the agency after more than three decades. As it turns out, he is writing it down in what appears to be a journal. It’s unclear if this is the first time that he’s doing this, but, it’s still off-putting to see the usually stoic character openly share his feelings. For context, Gibbs didn’t even talk aboutthe murder of Shannon and Kelly inNCISuntil he didn’t have any choice but to do so.
Mark Harmon Breaks Gibbs' Final Rule In NCIS: Origins' Latest Update
Leroy Jethro Gibbs lived by a set of rules in the flagship NCIS series, and Mark Harmon is about to break his last one in NCIS: Origins.
NCIS: Originsdoesn’t reveal what prompts Gibbs to do this, but considering his history in the main show, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that he may be havingone of his talks with the ghost of Franks. After his character died in the flagship series, Muse Watson continued to appear in the show as a vision, usually popping up during some of Gibbs' most important moments. Doing this would be a great way to better connect the events ofNCIS: Originsto Harmon’s character’s current situation in Alaska. It’s also a fantastic way to bring Watson back.
How Harmon’s Location Can Connect To Gibbs' Prequel Story
Being At Peace In Alaska Forces Gibbs To Face Some Aspects Of His Past
When McGee left Gibbs in Naktok Bay, Alaska, the former MCRT leader claimed that he wasn’t going back because he had never felt peace since Shannon and Kelly died until that moment. Somehow, he felt right at home in the fishing village, despite being there for the first time. That said,the peace that Gibbs felt could have also forced him to finally deal with some memories that he had refused to processfor years. With him retired and no other matter to use as a distraction, he now has to come to terms with certain events in his past.
I’m Officially Convinced That We Need Gibbs' Prequel Series After A New NCIS: Origins Story Reveal
1 particular storyline in NCIS: Origins has officially convinced me that the CBS TV franchise actually needs Leroy Jethro Gibbs' prequel show.
AsNCIS: Originscontinues, it can gradually change how Gibbs and his 19-season story are perceived. For now, the show makes it clear thatLala is at the center of its narrative. Why Gibbs, Franks, and even Vera Strickland never mentioned her in the main show is the big mystery that it will have to answer.
NCIS: Origins
Cast
NCIS: Origins is set in 1991, preceding the events of the original series. The series introduces Leroy Jethro Gibbs as a new special agent at NCIS Camp Pendleton. Under the leadership of NCIS legend Mike Franks, Gibbs navigates his role within a tenacious, unconventional team.
