Spoiler Alert for NCIS: Origins season 1, episode 10, “Blue Bayou”
NCIS: Originswill return to round out its freshman season in 2025, and critical details from the first half are needed to appreciate the end of Gibbs' story fully. WhileNCIS: Originsdoesn’t move as quickly as its predecessor, Gibbs' prequel story replays pivotal moments in his NIS career as he gets started alongside Mike Franks and his team. The prequel has recreated some ofGibbs' stories fromNCISwhile expanding the narrative and adding context that enriches the character’s overall story.
Some of the bestNCIS: Originsstories so far revolve around Gibbs and his previously-introduced colleagues fromNCIS.That said, the prequel has added new characters to the franchise in theNCIS: Originscast, and their stories are adding fascinating context about how NIS operated in the early 1990s.Critical mysteries about Gibbs, Lala, Franks, Randy, and Veraare rising to the surface, hopefully building up to a hopefully a satisfying conclusion in theNCIS: Originsseason 1 finale.
5Gibbs Already Killed Pedro Hernandez
Gibbs Killed His Family’s Killer
Heading into the second half ofNCIS: Originsseason 1, it’s essential to keep in mind thatGibbs has one of his biggest obstacles in the rearview mirror. InNCIS: Originsepisode 9, a case sends Gibbs and Lala to Mexico, where their investigation leads back to Pedro Hernandez. The proximity to the man who murdered Gibbs' wife and daughter caused strong emotions for Gibbs and Lala, who both privately hunted the killer.
The development made it clear that Gibbs had already done the deed, with a flashback to Gibbs killing Hernandez with a sniper confirming that he was the one responsible, as laid out inNCIS.
The conclusion of the outing revealed that a sniper shot and killed Hernandez six months ago but that the cartel he worked for covered it up to maintain their reputation. The episode made it clear that Gibbs had already done the deed, with a flashback to Gibbs killing Hernandez with a sniper rifle confirming that he was the one responsible for the crime inNCIS: Origins,as laid out inNCIS.The developmentcaused a rift between Lala and Gibbs, which they put behind them in theNCIS: Originsmidseason finale.
4Someone At NIS Is Hiding Evidence About NCIS: Origins' Premiere Sniper
Evidence Suggests Two Snipers Worked Together
The midseason finale revealed another massive development in theNCIS: Originsstory. As Gibbs works one of his first night shifts at NIS, he brings in planks of lumber and a set of woodworking tools to build a shelf that can help organize the storage room. While shuffling around, Gibbs accidentally knocks over a shredder and uncovers vital evidence.
You can catch up with theNCIS: Originspremiere and all season 1 episodes on Paramount+.
Gibbs sifts through the discarded paper scraps, and he finds a shred that says there was evidence of two snipers in theNCIS: Originspremierecase. The discarded evidence suggests that whoever made the finding didn’t want anyone else to know about it.NCIS: Originswill likely resolve the mystery in the second half of season 1, revealing who hid evidence about Jamison “Bugs” Boyd and why. The answer could be one of the most pivotal conclusions in the first chapter of the Gibbs origin story.
3Gibbs & Lala Are Getting Closer, But A Romance Seems Unlikely (For Now)
Will Something Happen Between Lala And Gibbs?
Gibbs and Lala are getting closer inNCIS: Originsas the finale approaches, but it’s important to remember that nothing is technically happening between the agents yet. In Mark Harmon’s narration as older Gibbs, which accompanies pivotal parts of Austin Stowell’s journey as young Gibbs, it’s clear that Lala means something to the former Agent in Charge. Still, we don’t know if the connection has any romantic significance since Leroy never mentions Lala inNCIS.
NCIS: Originsreturns to CBS on Monday, January 27 at 10 pm Eastern.
WhileNCIS: Originstells the story ofwhat happened to Gibbs' wife and daughter inNCIS,the prequel series focuses more on the relationships that Gibbs has after their murder, establishing how he persevered through a dark time. Along with Franks and Ruth,Lala is one of the people Gibbs leans on during his tough times. Their connection could grow into something romantic since we know that Gibbs had several romances after the death of his first wife, Shannon, and Lala could be the start of that.
2Mike Franks Is Covertly Investigating Tish’s Sexual Assault
Tish’s Case Probably Helps Franks Relate To Gibbs
Another budding storyline in theNCIS: Originsnarrative to keep in mind is what is happening between Mike Franks and his partner, Tish.Franks is overly protective of Tish after a sexual assaultshe experienced, which extends to the team leader covertly investigating what happened. However, Mike’s investigation has caused a conflict between them, as she has insisted that she wants to leave what happened to her in the past.
Mike has had difficulty putting the case behind him, as he admits to Tish in episode 9 when a situation with the house painter brings up painful emotions.
Mike has had difficulty putting the case behind him, as he admits to Tish in episode 9 when a situation with the house painter brings up painful emotions. AnNCIS: Originsshowrunner previewed Mike Franks' storyheading into the back half of season 2 in a report fromTV Line.David J. North confirmed that Franks has difficulty letting Tish’s case go. Its conclusion could be one of the more significant moments building up and contributing to theNCIS: Originsseason 1 finale.
1Mark Harmon’s Older Gibbs Revealed NCIS: Origins Is Lala’s Story (But It’s Unclear Why)
Lala’s Story Could Have A Tragic Ending
In theNCIS: Originsseries premiere, Mark Harmon revealed in his narration as Older Gibbs thatNCIS: Originswas the story of Lala Dominguez.NCIS: Originslying about its true storychanged what was known about the prequel since it was exclusively advertised as Gibbs' start at NIS in 1991.NCIS: Originshas yet to justify the shift to Lala Dominguez heading into the second half of season 1. We know she’s significant to Gibbs, but we don’t know why.
5 NCIS Prequels We Want After NCIS: Origins
There are a few NCIS characters who are as compelling as Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs and could hold their own in a prequel series.
Mark Harmon’s narration as older Gibbs inNCIS: Originsexplains that Lala was a friend to Gibbs after the death of his wife and child. Still, her story is probably more significant than a static friendship since theNCISfranchise anchored an entire series to Lala’s story. So far, there has been someconcerning foreshadowing about Lala trusting Gibbs where she shouldn’t. Therefore, Gibbs may fail Lala, and that’s why the story sticks with him all these years later.
NCIS: Origins
Cast
NCIS: Origins is set in 1991, preceding the events of the original series. The series introduces Leroy Jethro Gibbs as a new special agent at NCIS Camp Pendleton. Under the leadership of NCIS legend Mike Franks, Gibbs navigates his role within a tenacious, unconventional team.
