Introduction: NCIS Season 23 Drops a Prequel Bombshell
Just when fans thought NCIS couldn’t surprise them anymore, Season 23 throws a subtle — yet game-changing — curveball. While the season focuses on the current team’s challenges and evolving dynamics, a few smartly placed story elements do more than just progress the plot.
They confirm something huge: The Gibbs prequel isn’t just a spin-off. It’s essential to the future of the franchise.
And more importantly? Mark Harmon’s character, even off-screen, remains the central anchor of the NCIS universe.
The Prequel Was Never Meant to Stand Alone
The Hidden Threads in Season 23
Watch closely and you’ll notice something clever happening in Season 23:
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Subtle references to past cases
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Unexplained connections to Gibbs’ earlier decisions
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And key team members questioning Gibbs’ past behavior
This isn’t nostalgia. It’s strategic groundwork.
The Present Is Echoing the Past
In multiple episodes, characters reference Gibbs — not just as their former boss, but as someone whose early actions still directly impact current events.
It’s no coincidence. These callbacks are designed to line up with what’s being explored in NCIS: Origins — the Gibbs prequel set in his early career.
The Unexpected Reality? The Prequel Is the Future
NCIS: Origins Isn’t Just a Flashback Show
At first, NCIS: Origins seemed like a fan treat — a chance to relive Gibbs’ early years. But now, it’s becoming clear:
It’s not just filling in backstory. It’s actively expanding the franchise’s main narrative.
The prequel will explain:
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Why Gibbs developed his rules
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How he became the man we knew
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And possibly, secrets even the original show never revealed
Season 23 Confirms Interconnected Storytelling
Season 23 is laying breadcrumbs that lead directly into NCIS: Origins.
That means the shows aren’t just related — they’re interdependent.
What happens in the prequel will reshape how we view the current timeline. Think Star Wars: Rogue One or Better Call Saul — but for the NCIS universe.
Mark Harmon’s Influence Is Stronger Than Ever
He’s Still the Face of the Franchise
Even though Mark Harmon hasn’t appeared on screen since his departure, his presence in Season 23 is undeniable.
Every decision the team makes, every case that challenges their values — they still ask, What would Gibbs do?
Narrating the Prequel Keeps Him in Control
Mark Harmon isn’t just the narrator of NCIS: Origins.
He’s also an executive producer, meaning he’s guiding the tone, story, and legacy of his character — even as a new actor steps into the role.
Why This Story Plan Is Brilliant (and Risky)
It Reframes the NCIS Universe
Rather than treating NCIS: Origins like a standalone series, Season 23 repositions it as a second main pillar.
It’s no longer past vs. present — it’s one interwoven narrative that spans decades.
The Risk? It Could Alienate Casual Viewers
This ambitious move assumes fans will follow both shows.
But casual viewers may miss key prequel moments — or fail to connect the dots. If the execution isn’t clear, some fans could get lost in the timeline shuffle.
What Season 23 Tells Us About Gibbs’ Future
Could Mark Harmon Return On-Screen?
Now that the prequel is tied directly to current storylines, the door is wide open for Harmon to return — even briefly.
Whether as a flash-forward cameo, a surprise voiceover, or a present-day tie-in, the possibility is stronger than ever.
Gibbs May Never Really Be Gone
As long as NCIS continues referencing his choices, methods, and legacy — Gibbs is still here.
In a way, the franchise is evolving into a character study of Gibbs across time, told from both ends of the timeline.
What This Means for the NCIS Franchise
A Narrative Shift Toward Deeper Storytelling
NCIS has always focused on cases — but now, it’s focusing on legacy, consequence, and continuity.
We’re moving beyond procedural storytelling into a multi-decade saga.
New Opportunities for Spin-Offs
If NCIS: Origins succeeds, CBS may explore other prequel angles — maybe young Ducky, early Vance, or even Gibbs’ mentor, Mike Franks.
Harmon Is Still the Franchise’s Compass
Despite retiring from the role on-screen, Mark Harmon’s creative fingerprints are everywhere — and his voice is quite literally the one guiding us through the past.
Conclusion: NCIS Season 23 Quietly Changed the Game
While many fans expected NCIS: Origins to be a cool throwback, Season 23 changed everything.
It confirmed the unexpected truth: The prequel isn’t just about the past — it’s the key to understanding the present and the future.
Mark Harmon’s Gibbs remains the heart of the NCIS universe. Whether you’re watching the old team solve crimes or a young Gibbs find his purpose, one thing is certain:
Gibbs’ story is far from over.
FAQs
1. Is NCIS: Origins connected to NCIS Season 23?
Yes — Season 23 has subtly confirmed that events in NCIS: Origins will impact the present timeline and main series narrative.
2. Will Mark Harmon return to NCIS?
He hasn’t appeared on-screen since Season 19, but as narrator and producer of the prequel, a return cameo is very possible.
3. Who plays young Gibbs in NCIS: Origins?
Austin Stowell takes on the role, portraying Gibbs during his early career as a Marine and NCIS agent.
4. Do I need to watch the prequel to understand Season 23?
While not mandatory, watching NCIS: Origins will enrich your understanding of character backstories and certain Season 23 plotlines.
5. What’s next for the NCIS franchise?
With multiple spin-offs and now a deep prequel series, the franchise is expanding into a shared universe — with storytelling spanning generations.
