Introduction: Why Fans Are Worried About NCIS: Origins
When NCIS: Origins was first announced, it sounded like a dream come true for longtime fans. A deep dive into Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ backstory, with Mark Harmon narrating and his son, Sean Harmon, playing a younger version of the iconic character — what could possibly go wrong?
As it turns out, plenty.
While the prequel promised to honor Gibbs’ legacy, early episodes have revealed something else entirely. It’s not that NCIS: Origins is poorly made — the production quality is there. The real issue lies in how it reshapes and even undermines key aspects of the character we’ve admired for over two decades.
Let’s break down what’s happening and why so many fans — myself included — are feeling uneasy.
The Premise That Had Fans Hooked
A Glimpse Into Gibbs’ Mysterious Past
For years, NCIS has teased us with breadcrumbs about Gibbs’ time before the series began — his Marine days, his early years with Mike Franks, and of course, the tragedy of losing his wife Shannon and daughter Kelly. Those glimpses were emotionally rich, adding layers to the stoic, tough-as-nails character.
Now, NCIS: Origins opens the curtain fully. And while it offers answers, it also poses a major question: Do we really want all the mystery stripped away?
Gibbs Was Always a Man of Few Words
Origins Gives Him Too Many
Gibbs has always been defined by his silence. His emotions lived between the lines — in the pauses, the stares, and the famous “rules.” But in NCIS: Origins, we’re seeing a younger, more talkative Gibbs. It’s understandable — a younger man is bound to be different. But when that difference feels like a complete rewrite rather than an evolution, that’s where things go sideways.
Mark Harmon’s Presence — More Distant Than Expected
A Narrator, Not a Star
Let’s be honest. Most fans were thrilled at the idea of Mark Harmon returning. Even as a narrator, we expected his voice and presence to anchor the show. Instead, his narration feels minimal — sometimes forgettable.
The emotional weight of Gibbs is missing, and without Harmon truly embodying the role, the show feels untethered from the original series.
Sean Harmon as Young Gibbs — A Hit or Miss?
The Burden of Living Up to a Legend
Sean Harmon has the looks, no doubt. He resembles his father uncannily, and there are moments where you can squint and see the future Gibbs. But acting-wise? He’s still growing into the role. That’s not a knock — he’s doing a decent job.
But here’s the problem: When you’re trying to play a younger version of one of TV’s most beloved characters, “decent” won’t cut it.
The Timeline Inconsistencies Are Piling Up
Retconning the Gibbs We Thought We Knew
If you’re a longtime NCIS fan, you probably already noticed it — some of the events in Origins just don’t line up. Certain rules appear out of place. Character traits seem too mature or completely absent. Relationships are developing in ways that contradict what was hinted at in earlier seasons of NCIS.
Instead of fleshing out Gibbs’ backstory, Origins often feels like it’s rewriting it.
Mike Franks Feels Like a Shell of His Future Self
Where’s the Grit?
Mike Franks was a fan favorite in the original series — rough around the edges, brutally honest, and fiercely loyal. Origins introduces a much softer, less defined version. That might be realistic, but it’s jarring. Instead of showing us how Franks became the man we knew, the prequel almost seems to replace him with someone new entirely.
The Show’s Tone Doesn’t Match NCIS
Lacking the Signature Blend of Humor and Grit
NCIS has always walked a fine line between intense drama and quirky charm. It’s what made the show work so well. But Origins leans heavily into drama without the balance. The team dynamic — which was always the heart of NCIS — is flat. There’s no DiNozzo to lighten the mood, no Abby-style energy to shake things up.
It’s all tension, no levity.
Fans Wanted Answers — But Got Reductions
Mystery Made Gibbs Iconic
Part of what made Gibbs compelling was how much we didn’t know. His quiet nods to a painful past made him feel human. By explaining everything in detail — sometimes awkwardly so — Origins takes the weight out of his silence. The mystique that made him magnetic is slipping away.
Rule 51: “Sometimes You’re Wrong” — Is Origins One of Those Times?
Breaking the Rules Before They’re Made
In one early episode, a young Gibbs mutters something eerily close to what would become his signature “rules.” It’s played for fan service, but it also feels forced — like the writers are desperate to connect the dots before the character earns those traits.
Gibbs didn’t become Gibbs overnight. But Origins seems impatient.
Is NCIS: Origins Just Fan Service?
Flashbacks Without Substance
There’s a real risk that Origins becomes nothing more than a highlight reel for fans — familiar names dropped without purpose, backstories padded for nostalgia. While callbacks can be fun, they need to serve the story, not distract from its flaws.
A Missed Opportunity for Character Growth
Too Focused on Gibbs, Not Enough on the Team
In the early seasons of NCIS, the ensemble cast carried the show. While Gibbs was the heart, the team gave it its rhythm. Origins is so focused on Gibbs’ origin that it forgets to build a strong supporting cast around him. Without a team to play off of, even a great character can fall flat.
Can The Series Course Correct?
It’s Not Too Late
Let’s be clear: Origins isn’t doomed. There’s potential. If the writers take a step back and refocus the story — dialing in on subtle character growth, smoothing out inconsistencies, and giving the show its own personality — there’s still time to right the ship.
But it’ll take humility. And guts.
Why This Prequel Risks Hurting the NCIS Legacy
Not Just Another Spin-Off
Unlike other NCIS offshoots (NCIS: LA, NCIS: Hawai’i), Origins directly touches the legacy of the show’s core character. That means the stakes are higher. If it falters, it doesn’t just affect the spin-off — it reshapes how we see the original.
Fans Deserve Better — And Still Hope for It
Nostalgia Isn’t Enough
We love Gibbs not just because of who he was — but how we discovered him. Slowly. Layer by layer. A prequel that rushes, simplifies, or distorts that journey does more harm than good.
But fans are resilient. We’re still watching, still hoping. And we’ll be the first to cheer if NCIS: Origins finds its footing.
Conclusion: The Past Doesn’t Need to Be Perfect — Just Honest
NCIS: Origins had the makings of something special. But in its rush to honor Gibbs, it may be forgetting what made him unforgettable. Mystery. Subtlety. Restraint.
It’s not too late. But if the show continues down this path, it might not just rewrite Gibbs’ past — it could rewrite how we feel about him altogether.
5 Unique FAQs About NCIS: Origins and Gibbs’ Prequel
1. Is Mark Harmon returning as Gibbs in NCIS: Origins?
Mark Harmon serves as the narrator in NCIS: Origins but does not appear on screen. His son, Sean Harmon, plays the younger version of Gibbs.
2. How accurate is NCIS: Origins to Gibbs’ original backstory?
The show takes creative liberties, and while some elements align with established canon, several plot points appear to retcon or alter what fans were previously told.
3. Is NCIS: Origins considered canon within the NCIS universe?
Yes, Origins is officially part of the NCIS universe, although fans are debating how faithfully it reflects the established character lore.
4. Who else from NCIS appears in the prequel?
So far, the show features earlier versions of characters like Mike Franks. However, no original cast members (besides Harmon’s narration) have physically appeared.
5. Will NCIS: Origins eventually explain all of Gibbs’ rules?
It’s possible, as the series is laying groundwork for the rules. But many fans worry that over-explaining these elements could diminish their impact.
