‘NCIS: Origins’ Had a Franchise First in This Non-Procedural Episode

by

As a long-time fan of the NCIS franchise, I must admit that I was initially skeptical about the need for yet another spinoff. However, NCIS: Origins has managed to breathe new life into the series by delving deep into the enigmatic character of Leroy Jethro Gibbs. The revelations in the mid-season finale were nothing short of breathtaking, shedding light on the events that shaped our beloved Gibbs into the man we know today.

Origins seems more like a spin-off of the original NCIS series instead of a prequel. Although NCIS: Origins has done well in portraying the early career growth of young Leroy Jethro Gibbs at NIS Camp Pendleton, it hasn’t offered much new or unexpected for fans who have been following NCIS for a long time.

In a shocking twist, the ninth episode of NCIS: Origins, titled “Vivo o Muerto,” exposed a significant secret when it was revealed that Pedro Hernandez, the Mexican drug dealer responsible for the deaths of Gibbs’ daughter and wife, had actually been killed by Gibbs before Gibbs joined the Camp Pendleton branch. Contrary to what viewers and the show’s other characters believed, it seems that Gibbs’ pursuit of Hernandez was not the central conflict driving the show during its first season as initially thought.

The surprises didn’t end with the mid-season finale titled “Blue Bayou.” This episode begins in the aftermath of “Vivo o Muerto” events, then skips six months back in time, landing us during the period right after Gibbs returned to California following his confrontation and killing of Hernandez. The episode “Blue Bayou” sheds light on Gibbs’ past, revealing an unexpected friendship that led him to join NIS and a sad truth as to why he failed his psychological evaluation test.

‘NCIS: Origins’ Broke This 21-Year-Old ‘NCIS’ Tradition

In a new spin-off series titled “NCIS: Origins“, Mark Harmon reprises his role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, shown initially seated by a campfire in the Alaskan wilderness – a setting where viewers last saw Gibbs bid farewell to his team from the main NCIS series. As Harmon resumes his portrayal of Gibbs in this new show, some viewers speculate that “NCIS: Origins” could deviate from the traditional police procedural format, given that an older Gibbs is narrating his past experiences.

Before the mid-season break, the show NCIS: Origins skillfully blended investigations into standard cases with an exploration of Gibbs’ personal past. The choice to abandon the traditional procedural format in the mid-season finale “Blue Bayou” was primarily to delve deeper into the lingering mysteries of Gibbs’ background and portray his journey towards redemption. This departure from the usual structure mirrors the unique timeframe of the episode, which bridges the gap between the events following Pedro Hernandez’s death and when Gibbs joined NIS.

The episode turns out to be deeply moving, portraying the younger version of Gibbs, played by Austin Stowell, in a way that feels remarkably familiar and multi-layered. It also unveils fresh biographical aspects, challenging and reshaping our long-standing views about how Gibbs evolved into the character we’ve grown deeply connected with for over two decades.

The Mid-Season ‘NCIS: Origins’ Finale Reveals Gibbs’ Special Friendship

In essence, Special Agent Mike Franks has been the standout character in NCIS: Origins, taking over from Gibbs as a fan favorite after his debut as Gibbs’ former mentor and partner in the third season of NCIS. Previously, it was thought that Franks played the most significant role in shaping Gibbs’ career, particularly by helping him join NIS. However, before the mid-season finale of NCIS: Origins, it’s revealed that another individual also contributed significantly to Gibbs’ professional journey.

In the seventh episode of NCIS: Origins titled “One Flew Over,” we meet a character named Ruth, initially portrayed as Gibbs’ hard-nosed apartment manager. However, by the series finale, she transforms into Gibbs’ rescuer and an unofficial maternal figure. In the finale, London Garcia’s character, Ruth, is the one who hears Gibbs admit to having killed Pedro Hernandez for the first time. Meanwhile, Ruth shares with Gibbs her complex personal issues, particularly her strained relationship with her son.

In the closing scenes, I found myself inspired by Gibbs’ sharp detective sense, which was evident even in his grocery-store bagging clerk role. I urged Gibbs to seize this opportunity and enroll in a law enforcement training program in Georgia, with the ambition of joining the NIS as an agent. Additionally, I managed to persuade Franks to incorporate Gibbs into his NIS team, following my belief that Franks had been remiss in monitoring Gibbs’ downward spiral earlier on.

It turns out that it was primarily Ruth’s impending death from cancer that caused Gibbs to fail his psychological evaluation test. This revelation has been a point of contention throughout the series, although initially it was believed that Gibbs’ failure was due to the trauma he experienced after losing his daughter and wife.

Where Does ‘NCIS: Origins’ Go From Here?

Origins seems to have covered every aspect of Gibbs’ past, how does it keep audiences interested in his early life story?

It was made clear in the final scene that NCIS: Origins is unlikely to revert back to a non-procedural format anytime soon, as the finale ended with Gibbs discovering a report about “Operation Sundown,” a case reminiscent of the series’ initial murder investigation involving a drifter named Bugs. Since NCIS: Origins will continue in the franchise’s traditional procedural format for its first season and beyond, it may prove difficult for the spin-off to distinguish itself from the original NCIS, which shows no signs of decline as it enters its 22nd season. Catch it on Paramount+.

Read More

2024-12-24 19:01