The NCIS franchise has finally filled in a major missing piece of its history. During the season 2 finale of NCIS: Origins, viewers watched the Camp Pendleton office narrowly escape closure after Vera helped convince leadership that the team was worth saving. In the process, the division officially became NCIS.
The episode’s biggest revelation centered on Tom Morrow, who was confirmed as the agency’s very first director. The detail may seem small, but it resolves a timeline mystery that has existed since the original NCIS premiered years ago.
Fans now know Morrow started his leadership role in 1992, long before his appearances alongside Gibbs in the flagship series. Their future friendship becomes one of the most respected relationships in the franchise.
The finale also reminds viewers of the dangerous history surrounding the director position, as Morrow, Jenny Shepard, and Leon Vance all eventually meet tragic fates connected to gun violence throughout the series.