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Mark Harmon is returning to NCIS as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, and his appearance in a two-part franchise crossover event could confirm a mindblowing theory about the former Special Agent-in-Charge. While Harmon was the heart and soul of NCIS for nearly two decades, Gibbs hasn’t been on the flagship since Season 19, when Harmon exited the series and Jethro retired to Naktok Bay. However, Harmon has appeared once in the Gibbs-focused Navy prequel, where he will return to NCIS in a few short weeks.

While the flagship characters could never forget him, NCIS Season 23 is replacing Gibbs while honoring his legacy. In contrast, NCIS: Origins delves into Gibbs’ past, adding detail to his life in the early 1990s and expanding what audiences know about the former SAC. Harmon plays a key role in the prequel as its narrator, portraying older Gibbs, which enriches Austin Stowell’s younger rendition of the character. Now, after appearing in the spinoff last year, a decades-spanning mystery is calling Harmon back to the fold.

Mark Harmon Is Returning To NCIS In November For The Franchise’s Crossover Event

Image via Warrick Page/CBS

Gibbs will return to the franchise to feature in a decades-spanning NCIS crossover event that will take place in the NCIS and NCIS: Origins hours of CBS’s Tuesday night schedule, flipping the series’ regular timeslots to play out the case chronologically. According to NCIS: Origins showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal, the crossover event’s prequel hour plans to check in with Gibbs four years after he moved to Alaska. The showrunners acknowledge his life of solitude, but they also tease that Gibbs is “no longer alone”:

“Four years ago, Gibbs disappeared to Alaska to live a life of solitude,” said Origins co-showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal. “We know how much fans have missed seeing Mark and have wondered what Gibbs is up to today. Well, on Nov. 11, we’re so excited to announce that Mark Harmon will return as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the Origins hour of the NCIS crossover event. We don’t want to give too much away, but let’s just say Gibbs is no longer alone.”

Harmon commented on reprising his NCIS role, saying the story captured his interest and he thought it was a good time to check in with Gibbs. While it’s unclear how he will tie into the case, the official description of the crossover reveals the following: “young Gibbs (Austin Stowell) and team investigate the small-town death of a naval officer in the ’90s — a case that’s unexpectedly re-opened in the present day.” Therefore, it’s likely that Origins is checking in with Gibbs due to his ties to Mike Franks’ (Kyle Schmid) team and their initial investigation.

Gibbs’ NCIS: Origins Return Could Confirm A Mindbending Theory About Gibbs & Lala

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Gibbs no longer being alone in Alaska is an enticing hint for anyone familiar with the theory that has emerged since Lala Dominguez returned in NCIS: Origins Season 2. Lala was in a life-threatening car accident in the finale of NCIS: Origins Season 1, flipping her Jeep to avoid a girl who ran into the street. While Mariel Molino’s character has recovered from her accident and returns to her post in Season 2’s premiere, she returns to find out that Gibbs is dating Diane (Kathleen Kenny), with a mind-bending theory circling the development.

Seeing as NCIS: Origins has canceled a Gibbs storyline due to existing franchise lore, introducing his second wife, and forgoing the romance it set up between Gibbs and Lala Dominguez, some fans have found comfort in the theory that Lala will be with Gibbs in Alaska at the end of NCIS: Origins. Since the crossover event teases that Gibbs would no longer be alone in Alaska, Lala could be with him up North. That said, it could be too early in NCIS: Origins’ run to reveal that twist, so it could be one of Gibbs’ former teammates who visit him instead.

While Gibbs and Lala’s romance is frustrating in NCIS: Origins Season 2, stripped of the connection they built in Season 1, the twist that Gibbs and his former teammate end up together after a long life apart would be a heartfelt one. The development would resonate with the idea of meeting the right person at the wrong time, which is the underlying theme in Gibbs and Lala’s connection. However, Gibbs’ visitor could also be someone like Timothy McGee (Sean Murray), who was seen at Gibbs’ old cabin in the second half of NCIS Season 23’s premiere.

What Mark Harmon’s Return Means For The Future Of NCIS & NCIS: Origins

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Harmon’s openness to returning to Origins indicates a willingness to reprise his fan-favorite character if there’s a compelling story to tell. He has appeared as Gibbs once since his retirement, featuring in the pilot of NCIS: Origins three years after his exit. With Harmon returning a year later in NCIS: Origins Season 2, the franchise’s beloved actor and producer is keeping a steady pace with his appearances, giving the audience just enough older Gibbs to keep them connected. However, so far, Harmon has yet to return to the flagship.

While Gibbs’s comeback is exciting, the catch to Mark Harmon’s NCIS return is that he won’t appear on the OG series. Gibbs could cross paths with some of his former teammates, given the event’s collaborative nature. Still, many NCIS fans hold out hope that Harmon will return to the Navy Yard, where Gibbs has 20 years of history and teammates he has worked with since the show’s first season. Seeing as Harmon is open to coming back, his NCIS: Origins feature suggests an appearance in NCIS isn’t out of the question if the story rises to the character.