As a longtime fan of NCIS and someone who’s spent countless hours dissecting every minute detail of the show, I must say that the latest episode of NCIS: Origins left me both intrigued and puzzled. The plot development surrounding Mike Franks and Jackson Gibbs was particularly interesting, offering a fresh perspective on their relationship. However, it seems there’s been a slight continuity hiccup regarding their first meeting, which contradicts an earlier scene from the original series.
Warning: SPOILERS for the NCIS: Origins episode “Bend, Don’t Break” are ahead!
The long-awaited spin-off series, NCIS: Origins, is officially set to debut on television screens in 2024. This exciting news means that loyal NCIS enthusiasts will have an opportunity to delve deeper into the past of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, tracing his early days with NIS (previously known as the agency) when he joined in 1991. In last week’s two-part series premiere, titled “Enter Sandman,” we were given insights on how some of Gibb’s catchphrases originated and a hint about Lala Dominguez playing an important role in his life. The appearance of Mark Harmon as the older Gibbs was a delightful treat for many fans.
In this week’s episode, titled “Bend, Don’t Break,” the backstory of Gibbs’ frequent elevator stop practice was revealed. While this detail is interesting, what has caught my attention more is how the series Origins significantly altered Mike Franks and Jackson Gibbs’ relationship history in a major way.
How Gibbs’ First Elevator Stop Happened
To start off, let’s discuss the mall scene in this week’s NCIS: Origins. The episode featured Austin Stowell as Gibbs and his team investigating the death of a drug dealer near Camp Pendleton. Their probe led them to a shopping center in San Diego, where they encountered a security guard named Prado who had dealings with the deceased and his partner. It was later uncovered that this partner accidentally caused the death, believing he saw a mythical figure known as the Mothman… quite an unusual tale.
The showrunner for the NCIS: Origins series explains why it was significant to include Vera Strickland, who made a single appearance on NCIS, in future episodes.
Austin Stowell from the prequel series NCIS: Origins shares an intriguing tale about nearly missing out on discovering he had been cast for the role. Even Gibbs himself might approve of this close call!
The situation grew more intricate when both the sporting goods store and toy store in the mall were robbed; firearms were stolen from the former while water guns were taken by the latter. Emerging evidence suggests Prado, a Marine veteran recently discharged, as a potential suspect, but there’s no legal basis for detaining him at this time. Gibbs, feeling frustrated due to being assigned desk duty by Franks and the influence of his father in that decision (details to follow later), and also grappling with the deaths of his wife Shannon and daughter Kelly, decided to visit the mall. He trailed Prado into the elevator as he was exiting for home, and suddenly stopped the emergency brakes.
Individuals who tuned into NCIS throughout Mark Harmon’s nearly twenty-year stint on the series will recall his frequent practice of halting elevators mid-floor for more intimate conversations without fear of interruptions. In this instance, Gibbs was merely delaying Prado until either he admitted to his activities or evidence was found to arrest him. Fortunately, it was the latter that transpired, and the team discovered Prado’s plan to conceal weapons within water guns destined for a community in Perquín, El Salvador, where he and his former unit members had served and felt was under threat.
In a scene from NCIS, when Mike Franks inquired why Leroy Jethro Gibbs halted the elevator, Gibbs explained, “Halting an elevator halts the world. It gives you a glimpse into someone’s true nature.” However, rule-bender Franks cautioned Gibbs that this time he had overstepped boundaries. The man with the mustache made it clear to his subordinate not to repeat such actions or face consequences severe enough to potentially remove him from the team roster.
How Mike Franks And Jackson Gibbs’ Relationship Has Been Retconned
In the sequel of “Enter Sandman,” I found myself resonating deeply with Robert Taylor’s character, Jackson Gibbs, as he grappled with his son’s decision to join the navy police force. This was a subject he passionately discussed with Mike Franks in “Bend, Don’t Break.” You see, during their conversations, it was revealed that Jackson had been overseas when Franks was investigating the murders of Shannon and Kelly. Upon Gibbs’ return, Jackson felt compelled to travel to Nepal to find solace after learning about his son’s career choice. It was during this time that Franks recruited Gibbs into NIS, a move that clearly displeased Jackson.
Previously enraged at Frank for allowing Pedro Hernandez, the drug dealer who murdered Shannon and Kelly, to escape to Mexico, Jackson grew even angrier as he believed that Frank was exploiting Gibbs. He perceived Gibbs’ actions as a “death wish,” believing that he had joined law enforcement with the intention of someday taking revenge on Hernandez, unaware that Gibbs had already exacted justice. This is why Frank decided to temporarily remove Gibbs from active duty, but it’s essential to note that Frank and Jackson have had multiple encounters in the past.
In the Season 8 opener of NCIS, Jackson, portrayed by the late Ralph Waite, was a guest at Leroy’s home due to being on a list of potential victims targeted by Paloma Reynosa and Alejandro Rivera, the offspring of Pedro Hernandez. Meanwhile, Mike Franks, another target, secretly entered the house, leading to an introduction between Jackson and Gibbs’ mentor, Mark Harmon’s character, Gibbs. You can verify this by watching the episode yourself.
The scene from over a decade ago seems contradictory to what was recently depicted on NCIS: Origins, but I prefer the portrayal from Origins. It makes sense that Jackson Gibbs would have been involved in the investigation of Shannon and Kelly’s murders, which means he likely had some interaction with Mike Franks. I find this version of NCIS history more appealing than the previous one, but the inconsistency that has arisen will remain bothersome. However, it’s not the first continuity issue in this franchise’s 20+ years, and it won’t be the last.
Every Monday at 10 pm ET, I can’t wait for the latest episodes of NCIS: Origins to air on CBS! If you miss it, don’t worry, you can always catch up with a Paramount+ subscription. Speaking of NCIS, Season 22 is currently running, and there are more exciting seasons in store, like NCIS: Sydney Season 2 and the exclusive spinoff, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, which will be available on Paramount+ as well.
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2024-10-21 18:07