In the exclusive first look above, Harmon still appears to be living in Alaska, where he sits inside a cabin tinkering with an old radio. He begins to write in his journal about his early NIS days, and delivers voiceover recounting his three decades on the job. But then, he begins speaking aloud: “Over the years, the outside changes, but inside, you still feel all the same things. You’ll see.” Might Gibbs be talking about his young love? The story he’s previously never told?! And who is he talking to? That switch from voiceover to talking aloud must mean something, right? Could he be talking to an older Lala who may be sitting in the cabin with him? Or has this man gotten a bad case of Alaskan cabin fever?
All of these questions are set to be answered in the two-hour crossover event airing on Tuesday, Nov. 11. “NCIS: Origins” will air first at 8/7c, following young Gibbs and the team as they investigate the small-town death of a naval officer in the ’90s. Then at 9 pm, the case is unexpectedly re-opened in the present day on “NCIS” in an emotional episode that star Wilmer Valderrama previously told TVLine will require a few tissues.
Harmon’s appearance as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the iconic TV character he played for 18 seasons on “NCIS,” marks his first major visit to the CBS prequel since a brief cameo in the series’ 2024 pilot. He currently narrates each episode. Once you’ve watched the sneak peek above, hit the comments with your “NCIS” crossover predictions: Will Harmon’s return reveal anything about Gibbs’ relationship with Lala
If you’re an NCIS fan, you already know one thing for sure: Leroy Jethro Gibbs never does anything without a reason. And now, with the release of an exclusive first look at the upcoming NCIS: Origins crossover, fans are buzzing louder than ever. Why? Because the footage hints that Mark Harmon—yes, the man himself—may be revisiting Gibbs’ early years, including a surprising connection with a character named Lala. So, is Gibbs’ past about to collide with the present? And what role does Mark Harmon actually play in unraveling this long-buried storyline? Let’s dig in.
Why Gibbs’ Past Still Captivates Fans After Two Decades
The Power of a Character With Secrets
Gibbs has always been the type of character who communicates more with silence than words. His rules, his losses, his regrets—they all shaped the man we met in Season 1. But NCIS has barely scratched the surface of his life as a young Marine and future agent.
Fans Want Answers—And Origins Promises Them
With NCIS: Origins taking us back to the 1990s, the show finally has room to explore formative relationships, especially those that shaped Gibbs long before the iconic silver fox era.
Who Is Lala—And Why Her Connection to Gibbs Matters
The Mysterious Woman in Gibbs’ Early Life
From the exclusive first-look clip, Lala appears to be tied to a pivotal emotional moment in Gibbs’ past. While the franchise hasn’t previously revealed her, the tone of the footage suggests she’s not just a passing acquaintance—she’s someone who left a mark.
Early Theories Flooding Fan Spaces
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Was Lala involved in Gibbs’ time in the Marines?
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Is she connected to Shannon and Kelly’s story?
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Could she be tied to a case that changed Gibbs forever?
When NCIS fans start theorizing, they don’t hold back—and this crossover tease unleashed a storm.
Mark Harmon’s Role: Narrator, Mentor… or Something More?
The Return That Fans Have Been Begging For
While Mark Harmon left NCIS as an on-screen cast member, he remained a producer—and an active guiding force on the franchise. In NCIS: Origins, he is expected to narrate and shape the storytelling.
The Big Question—Will He Appear On Screen?
The crossover teaser cleverly avoids giving a direct answer, but the tone makes one thing clear: Harmon’s presence is essential to connecting the past and present.
Why Producers Might Use Him Strategically
Bringing Harmon back on camera—whether in flash-forwards or reflective moments—would:
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Recenter the franchise emotionally
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Boost ratings
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Deepen the Origins storyline
In other words, it would be a smart move.
Breaking Down the Exclusive First-Look Footage
Scene One—A Familiar Voice, A New Story
The clip opens with Harmon narrating over a dimly lit flashback sequence. His voice has that same steady, grounding tone that shaped NCIS for 19 seasons.
Scene Two—Young Gibbs and Lala’s Intensely Charged Exchange
The clip shows young Gibbs facing Lala in what seems like a moment of personal turmoil. Their chemistry is immediate—and filled with tension.
Why This Moment Feels Canon-Defining
This isn’t filler. This feels like a key memory—one Gibbs carried silently for decades.
How NCIS: Origins Could Change What We Thought We Knew About Gibbs
Retelling vs. Revealing
The franchise has always dropped breadcrumbs about Gibbs’ past, but Origins could recontextualize:
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His trust issues
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His relationships
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His rulebook
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His decision-making as a leader
Where Lala Fits Into the Evolution of Gibbs
If Lala represents a lost connection or a life lesson, she may be an early thread that ties into the man we meet in NCIS Season 1.
The Emotional Impact of Revisiting Gibbs’ Early Trauma
Gibbs’ Life Has Always Been Marked by Loss
From the death of Shannon and Kelly to challenging missions in the Marines, trauma shaped him. If Lala was another defining part of that journey, the show might explore that heartache more deeply.
A Look Into the Heart of the Future NCIS Legend
Seeing a younger, unrefined Gibbs allows fans to appreciate how much he evolved—and how much he sacrificed.
Fans Are Already Losing It—and Social Media Proves It
Theories Trending on X and TikTok
Fans are posting:
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Breakdown videos
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Side-by-side comparisons
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Emotional reaction clips
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Speculation threads
This crossover is generating the biggest anticipation spike since Gibbs left the flagship series.
Why This Storyline Hits Hard
Gibbs may be quiet, but his emotional arc is one of TV’s most compelling slow burns.
What This Means for the Future of the NCIS Universe
A Possible Return of Mark Harmon in the Main NCIS Series
Producers have never closed the door on a Gibbs return. A crossover exploring his past may be the perfect narrative bridge for a comeback.
Expanding the Universe With Purpose
NCIS: Origins isn’t just a prequel—it’s the emotional foundation of the entire franchise.
The Crossover Event Fans Didn’t Know They Needed
A Love Letter to Longtime Viewers
By tying Lala’s story to Gibbs’ growth, the series honors fans who have followed him for decades.
The Perfect Blend of Nostalgia and New Storytelling
Old mysteries meet new faces. The past meets the present. The franchise enters its next era.
Conclusion
The big question—Is Mark Harmon revisiting Gibbs’ past with Lala in the NCIS: Origins crossover?—doesn’t come with a simple yes or no. But the exclusive first look suggests something much deeper: Gibbs’ past is about to become more important than ever, and Mark Harmon is clearly guiding that exploration.
Whether he appears on-screen or continues to shape the story through narration, one thing is undeniable—Gibbs’ legacy is far from over. And this crossover might be the emotional jolt long-time fans have been waiting for.
