Heading into the episode, all we knew was that Harmon, who provides voice-overs in each “Origins” episode, would reprise his role on screen as Leroy Gethro Gibbs, and that the episode would see Harmon’s Gibbs talking to mystery person in his Alaskan cabin. Some fans speculated that the beloved NCIS agent might be having a conversation with an older version of Lala (Mariel Molino), young Gibbs’ (Austin Stowell) love interest in “Origins” Season 1.

Once the crossover actually aired, it turned out Gibbs was talking to no person at all. He was speaking to another of his greatest loves: a dog. “NCIS: Origins” co-showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal told TVLine it was simply “too soon” to share Lala’s story. Though some of us were disappointed we didn’t get the reunion we so desperately wanted, it ultimately made sense that Gibbs would be pouring his hear out to a canine instead of a human; both Harmon and his character share a long history with four-legged companions.

A New Era of NCIS Storytelling

“NCIS: Origins” promises to peel back the curtain on one of television’s most iconic characters: Leroy Jethro Gibbs. As CBS expands one of its most successful franchises, fans are getting the rare chance to witness how Gibbs became the legend introduced over 20 years ago.

But the series goes beyond simply exploring Gibbs’ military police days—it introduces a new companion, one who not only deepens his early story but also echoes a familiar pattern seen across the NCIS universe. And in true franchise style, this development opens the door to a potential crossover with major implications.

In this article, we’ll break down how Gibbs’ new partnership fits into the long-standing DNA of the franchise, why it mirrors iconic NCIS pairings, and how “NCIS: Origins” may leverage this connection to build a crossover fans never saw coming.

The Legacy of Gibbs’ Partnerships in NCIS

Understanding Gibbs’ Dynamic With His Partners

If you’ve watched NCIS for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed something about Gibbs:
He doesn’t work alone.

From the very first episode, Gibbs functions best with someone by his side—someone who contrasts with him, complements him, softens him, challenges him, or simply understands him when no one else can.

The “Gibbs + One” Formula That Shaped the Franchise

Throughout 20 seasons, Gibbs has built unforgettable partnerships:

Gibbs + Tony DiNozzo

The charismatic, comedic, occasionally chaotic agent who learned discipline and leadership under Gibbs’ stern but fatherly guidance.

Gibbs + Kate Todd

A former Secret Service agent whose professionalism and moral clarity shaped early NCIS seasons.

Gibbs + Ziva David

A Mossad officer whose personal transformation became one of the show’s most emotionally compelling arcs.

Gibbs + McGee

The tech-driven, brilliant but formerly timid agent who grew from “Probie” to “Senior Field Agent.”

A pattern emerges:
Gibbs always forms a bond with a younger, talented, emotionally complex partner.
These pairings drive character development, dramatic tension, and emotional depth.

NCIS: Origins Introduces A New Companion

Who Is Gibbs’ New Partner?

“NCIS: Origins” places a young Gibbs in the NCIS Camp Pendleton office in the 1990s, just after the death of his wife Shannon and daughter Kelly. At this moment in his life, Gibbs is raw, grieving, and trying to rebuild.

Enter his new companion—an agent who acts as:

• a grounding voice

• a moral anchor

• a contrasting personality

• and, sometimes, a necessary spark

This character’s presence sets the stage for Gibbs’ evolution into the leader we eventually meet in NCIS Season 1.

Why This Companion Feels So Familiar

The striking thing about this new partnership is not the character themselves—but what they represent.
They fit into the exact pattern Gibbs has followed for decades:

A Younger, Emotionally Rich Counterpart

They share traits fans recognize from Tony, Kate, and McGee.

A Sharp Mind Gibbs Learns to Respect

Just like how Gibbs grew to trust Abby’s forensic brilliance or Ducky’s psychological insight.

A Relationship Built on Growth

Instead of perfection, the companion brings vulnerability, humor, and a fresh perspective—elements that always nurture Gibbs’ humanity.

This isn’t just coincidence.
It’s storytelling symmetry.

How NCIS Uses Patterns to Connect Its Spinoffs

A Franchise Built on Character Echoes

NCIS spinoffs often echo traits across teams:

• NCIS LA mirrored Gibbs/Henrietta dynamics with Callen & Hetty.

• NCIS New Orleans built Pride’s team around emotional bonds similar to Gibbs’ unit.

• NCIS Hawai’i used Tennant & Ernie’s dynamic as a modern callback to Gibbs & Abby.

So when “NCIS: Origins” introduces a partner that reflects Gibbs’ familiar on-screen relationships, it’s a deliberate nod to the universe’s signature storytelling style.

Why Fans Connect With These Echoes

The pattern works because fans love consistency—especially emotional consistency.
When they see Gibbs form the same type of bond he will one day form with Tony or Kate, it feels like:

• poetic foreshadowing

• emotional continuity

• and character authenticity

It tells us that Gibbs didn’t become Gibbs overnight.
He was shaped by the people around him.

The Crossover Potential: Connecting Origins to the NCIS Timeline

How This Companion Opens the Door to a Crossover

Here’s where things get interesting.

Introducing a partner who mirrors Gibbs’ future relationships creates a bridge between eras of the franchise. It allows “NCIS: Origins” to naturally set up crossovers, including:

Flashforward Connections

Older characters from NCIS may comment on the influence this partner had on Gibbs.

Cameos or Voiceovers

Tony, McGee, or even Ducky could appear in present-day segments or narrative framing devices.

Direct Storyline Links

The partner may have ties to early NCIS cases referenced in the original series, opening room for retroactive story connections.

Why Gibbs’ Pattern Makes This Crossover Feel Organic

Because this type of companion is so essential to Gibbs’ story, building a crossover around them feels natural—not forced.

Audiences will view it as:

• expanding the mythology

• honoring the timeline

• enriching Gibbs’ emotional arc

It’s clever, subtle storytelling.

What This Means for Gibbs’ Character Development

A Chance to Explore Gibbs’ Vulnerable Years

Gibbs in the 1990s isn’t the hardened leader we see in NCIS Season 1.
He’s grieving, inward, and rebuilding.

The new companion gives him a:

• mirror

• emotional outlet

• and stabilizing presence

A Relationship That Teaches Him Leadership

Throughout NCIS, Gibbs is known for teaching others.
But in “Origins,” he’s still learning.

This companion helps him understand:

• empathy

• patience

• vulnerability

• and the power of mentorship

It’s a role reversal fans rarely get to see.

The Familiar Pattern: Why Gibbs Always Needs a Partner

Gibbs Works Best With Someone Who Challenges Him

Every iconic Gibbs partnership includes tension.
This companion continues that.

The Balance of Logic and Emotion

Gibbs is instinct-driven.
His partners often bring analysis, emotion, or humor.

This new character fills that gap.

The Humanization of Gibbs

Simply put:
Gibbs opens up more when he has one trusted person beside him.

How “Origins” Strengthens the Entire NCIS Universe

A Deeper Understanding of Gibbs’ Future Choices

Fans may finally understand:

• why he picks certain agents

• why he leads the way he does

• why he mentors the people he chooses

• why loyalty matters so deeply to him

Filling in the Missing Pieces of the Timeline

“Origins” gives weight to later NCIS stories by showing the emotional seeds planted early in Gibbs’ life.

A Narrative That Honors Legacy

The new companion links the past and future in a meaningful, character-driven way.

Conclusion

“NCIS: Origins” is more than a prequel—it’s a character excavation.
By giving Gibbs a new companion who echoes the partners he will one day rely on, the show deepens his emotional blueprint and strengthens the franchise’s interconnected storytelling.

This familiar pattern not only reinforces Gibbs’ iconic traits but also sets up a crossover opportunity that feels natural and earned. Whether through shared cases, thematic parallels, or future callbacks, this companion becomes a bridge between eras—honoring the past while expanding the future of the NCIS universe.

And in true NCIS fashion, everything comes full circle.