Season 2 of NCIS: Origins ended with a major revelation that longtime franchise viewers immediately noticed. After the Camp Pendleton office came dangerously close to shutting down, Vera and the team managed to save the division by proving their value to leadership. Their success officially launched the NCIS era.
At the center of the finale was the reveal that Tom Morrow became the first director of NCIS in 1992. Although fans knew Morrow from the original series, his exact place in the organization’s history had never been fully explained before now.
The moment adds new emotional depth to Gibbs’ future relationship with Morrow, which eventually becomes one built on trust and respect.
The finale also highlights the difficult legacy of the NCIS director role. Morrow, Jenny Shepard, and Leon Vance all later die violently during the franchise timeline, leaving the future leadership of NCIS uncertain heading into upcoming stories.