The NCIS universe is expanding again—and this time, it’s reaching back into the past with NCIS: Origins. But as the show promises to explore a younger, less-seasoned version of fan-favorite Leroy Jethro Gibbs, one question has fans buzzing: can it finally redeem the show’s most polarizing love interest?
Let’s dive deep into the tangled web of romance, regret, and redemption that defines one of Gibbs’ most controversial relationships—and explore exactly what NCIS: Origins must get right (and avoid) to pull it off.
Gibbs Before the Grays — Why NCIS: Origins Matters
NCIS: Origins will take fans back to the early ‘90s, when Gibbs was just beginning his career in the NIS (the precursor to NCIS). That’s pre-silver hair, pre-headslaps, and way before his infamous “rules.” But it’s also a golden opportunity to explore the emotional building blocks that shaped him—including his often-troubled love life.
The Most Divisive Love Interest in NCIS History
Ask any NCIS fan who Gibbs’ worst partner was, and chances are you’ll hear one name more than others: Diane Sterling.
Who Is Diane Sterling?
Diane is Gibbs’ second wife, but she’s more than just another notch in his heartbreak tally. She also married FBI Special Agent Tobias Fornell—Gibbs’ friend and frequent work frenemy—after her divorce from Gibbs. Yeah… it’s complicated.
Why Fans Didn’t Like Her
While some appreciated Diane’s fiery, no-nonsense personality, many viewers found her abrasive, manipulative, and inconsistent. Her appearances often felt more comedic than heartfelt, and the lack of emotional depth in her interactions with Gibbs left audiences scratching their heads.
The Chemistry Conundrum — What Went Wrong?
Let’s be honest: Gibbs and Diane had all the emotional chemistry of oil and water. Their interactions were laced with sarcasm, resentment, and unresolved tension—but without the layered storytelling that fans craved.
A Relationship Built on Conflict
It often felt like the writers wanted to make Diane the “ex you love to hate,” rather than give her a redemptive arc or meaningful closure. The result? A character who felt more like a plot device than a fully realized human being.
Lack of Backstory Killed the Connection
One of the biggest problems? We never really saw how Gibbs and Diane fell in love. Why did he marry her in the first place? What made their relationship implode? NCIS teased these answers but never delivered.
How NCIS: Origins Can Hit Reset
Here’s the silver lining: NCIS: Origins has a rare chance to show us a younger Gibbs in love—and not just in regret. If done right, this series could finally give Diane the complexity and emotional depth she deserves.
Give Her a Real Arc
Diane can’t just be the fiery redhead with a grudge. If Origins makes her layered—showing both her strengths and flaws—it could humanize her in a way the original series never did.
Show the Good Before the Bad
Let’s see what brought Gibbs and Diane together in the first place. What did they like about each other? What made the relationship work, before it all fell apart?
Timeline Tweaks — But Be Careful
Here’s the caveat: NCIS fans are sticklers for canon. One slip in the timeline, and social media will light up with backlash.
Keep the Timeline Consistent
We already know Gibbs’ first wife, Shannon, and daughter Kelly died in the early ’90s. Origins needs to respect this chronology—and show how those events shaped his next relationship with Diane.
Don’t Rewrite the Past—Reframe It
We’re not asking for a total rewrite. Instead, Origins should recontextualize Diane. Give us more insight, not contradictions.
Cast Chemistry Will Make or Break This
Even the best writing can’t fix bad casting. The actors playing young Gibbs and young Diane must have real, believable chemistry—something that wasn’t always there in the original series.
Who Should Play Young Diane?
Ideally, someone who can balance fiery independence with emotional vulnerability. Think a mix of wit and woundedness—someone who makes us root for her even when we know how it ends.
More Than Just a Love Story
Redemption doesn’t mean rewriting Diane as a saint. But it does mean fleshing her out beyond the one-dimensional “nagging ex-wife” trope.
Explore Her Career and Motivations
Was Diane driven by ambition? Scarred by past trauma? Let’s explore her motivations outside of just being “Gibbs’ ex.”
Make Her Independent
Give her scenes without Gibbs. Let us see her as her own person, not just a reaction to his choices.
Why Redemption Stories Work
People love redemption arcs. They’re proof that characters can grow, evolve, and surprise us. And for NCIS fans who’ve been watching for two decades, that emotional payoff could be gold.
Fans Want Emotional Closure
There’s a reason so many shows bring back “unpopular” characters: the chance to show growth makes for compelling TV.
The One Thing Origins Must Avoid
Here’s the caveat: don’t whitewash the past. If Diane was toxic or manipulative at times, show it—but explain why. Don’t pretend she was perfect. Just show us that she was human.
What Redemption Looks Like for Diane
Redemption doesn’t mean a happy ending with Gibbs. It means we understand her now. We get why it didn’t work, and we empathize with both sides.
What This Means for Gibbs’ Legacy
Fixing this storyline could actually enhance Gibbs’ overall character arc. If we see the mistakes of his past, his emotional detachment in later seasons makes a whole lot more sense.
Final Thoughts — The Past Can Still Surprise Us
NCIS: Origins has a tall order to fill. But if it can dig into the raw, emotional heart of Gibbs and Diane’s early relationship, it might just do something extraordinary—redeem a character many fans had written off and give us new insight into the man we’ve watched lead for years.
Let’s face it: no one’s perfect. But the best stories are the ones that show us why.
🙋♂️ FAQs
Q1: Will Diane Sterling appear in NCIS: Origins?
A: It hasn’t been officially confirmed, but her appearance would make perfect sense given the timeline and emotional relevance.
Q2: How many wives did Gibbs have in NCIS?
A: Four in total—Shannon, Diane, Rebecca, and Stephanie.
Q3: What happened to Diane in the original NCIS series?
A: Diane was tragically killed in Season 12 during a case involving terrorist Sergei Mishnev.
Q4: Who is playing young Gibbs in NCIS: Origins?
A: Austin Stowell has been cast as young Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
Q5: Is NCIS: Origins a reboot or a prequel?
A: It’s a prequel that focuses on Gibbs’ early days in the NIS before he became the stoic leader we know in NCIS.
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Thanks for diving deep into the world of NCIS with us! Stay curious, stay passionate, and never stop questioning what you think you know about your favorite characters. See you at the crime scene… or the writers’ room!
