NCIS: Origins co-showrunner David J North confirms Jackson Gibbs’ appearance in NCIS: Origins won’t break canon. It’s a new era for CBS’ hit procedural franchise as it launches its first prequel series. Austin Stowell will take over the role of young Gibbs while Mark Harmon narrates the show’s events and makes a one-time cameo in the pilot. The endeavor will tackle the earliest years of the character in the agency. As a prequel, the upcoming series is mandated to follow established continuity, which may be by bringing in Robert Taylor as Jackson Gibbs.
In a new interview with TV Line, North confirms they found a way to extensively include Gibbs Sr. in NCIS: Origins. For context, Leroy Jethro said that before their reunion, the last time he saw his father was during the funeral of his first wife and daughters — Shannon and Kelly. That said, Taylor’s role in NCIS: Origins will be more than just showing up on the said occasion. Read his full quote below:
We did solve it. We’re very aware of the canon and what’s been set up, and we’re working within that. But I’ll say this: Jackson is an important role, and we’ll see the influence of him on Gibbs.
How NCIS: Origins Can Explain Jackson’s Appearance Without Breaking Canon
While North didn’t even share the slightest clue about how they are able to solve the issue, there’s one easy and clear solution to the matter. Gibbs simply lied about his previous entanglements with his dad. Granted that he may not have returned to Stillwater, Pennsylvania, where his father resided until his death, it’s likely that Jackson traveled to California to visit his son after they buried Kelly and Shannon. At one point in the NCIS: Origins trailer, the older Gibbs questioned Leroy Jethro about his decision to join NCIS, which supports this theory.
Admittedly, this may seem like a cop-out way to solve an NCIS: Origins story dilemma. However, the prequel can sell it by leaning on the Gibbs men’s demeanor. Both were stubborn and, unfortunately, had poor communication skills. Leroy Jethro didn’t even mention what happened with Kelly and Shannon until he suffered a near-death experience. He could have kept his strained relationship with his dad a secret so as not to open himself up to questioning.
Our Take On Jackson’s Role In NCIS: Origins
Personally, even if North’s explanation of Jackson’s involvement in NCIS: Origins doesn’t quite work, they can still justify it by highlighting his role in the show. Viewers tend to be more lenient with plot inconsistencies if breaking canon means delivering a better story. As long as they can emphasize Jackson’s significance in NCIS: Origins’ cast, then they can utilize him as frequently as they need.
Based on what has been revealed in NCIS: Origins trailers thus far, every time the Gibbs men meet, there’s always tension in the air. If these conversations end up explaining why Leroy Jethro ended up the way he was in the flagship show, then having his dad in the prequel is worth it. Granted that it will be heartbreaking to see them continuously argue, it will make Jackson and Gibbs’ eventual reconciliation better.
