NCIS: Origins is a prequel series which looks to set up the foundation that many of the other NCIS shows are built upon. Mark Harmon played one of NCIS’ most beloved characters in Leroy Jethro Gibbs, and for a significantly long time. The character has been brought back in a younger version, with Austin Stowell taking on the role as the burgeoning career of a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs in 1991 begins to take shape. As we know, Gibbs will some day lead the D.C. office, and do that very successfully as well. However, in NCIS: Origins, he has remained quiet and studious for the most part, learning the ropes as a “probie.”
So when does Gibbs move from probie to assertive, confident agent? Season 1 saw a young Gibbs working under Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid) and Lala Dominguez (Mariel Molino), alongside “Randy” Randolf (Caleb Foote) and Vera Strickland (Diany Rodriguez), and with much-needed support from “HSIC” Mary Jo Hayes (Tyla Abercrumbie). While with the unit, he maintained a low profile, while showing a bit more about himself outside. TV Line spoke with co-showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal, and quizzed if Gibbs will be more active and have more agency in investigations the unit tackles in Season 2. North responded, saying:
“We’re inching our way there, definitely, in a way that we think is honest for the character. I mean, just take the fact that in Season 1, we know Gibbs’ gut was churning a little bit about Bugs and thinking, ‘Maybe there’s more to this story?’ But Gibbs didn’t go down that path, he didn’t gnaw at Franks and say, ‘Hey, my gut…’ — and he learned in the end he was right. Those are all stepping stones toward becoming the Gibbs that we met in 2003.”
Canon Matters in ‘NCIS: Origins’ Season 2 and Beyond
NCIS: Origins is, like the name implies, an origin story, so there are certainly previously established canon aspects that will come up as the show progresses. There are certain canon characters that need to appear, and storylines that need to be told. In a previous conversation, co-showrunner Monreal revealed a commitment to preserving the work that has been invested in creating a coherent narrative. “We have a big huge timeline in the writers’ room and we’re really strict about sticking to it,” Monreal said at the time. “The canon matters to us, and we never want to ignore it. So, all the things that we’re seeing in canon, we will address one way or another.”
Given that we know that Gibbs will one day run the D.C. office, it will be interesting to see exactly what the NCIS: Origins bosses’ “honest” approach to the character’s evolution would look like. As we slowly get there, audiences would be equally grateful if sparks of that leadership potential “flicker” more and more often when NCIS: Origins Season 2 finally premieres.
