NCIS: Origins' premiere revealed that Mark Harmon has a bigger role than originally thought. TheNCISfranchise spinoffwill feature Austin Stowell as he plays a young Gibbs at the start of his career atNCIS, which was called NIS at the time. Originally, Harmon was meant to have a minimal role in the prequel and appear as just the narrator inNCIS: Origins. While this is still partially true, since Harmon does narrate in the show, he also physically appears under mysterious circumstances.
TheNCIS: Originscastfeatures several young versions of pre-existingNCIScharacters, including Mike Franks, played by Kyle Schmid, and Vera Strickland, played by Diany Rodriguez. However, Mark Harmon is the only actor fromNCISto reappear in the prequel. He and Stowell are also the only actors to play the same character. Harmon’s reappearance is great news sincehis exit inNCISseason 19 implied his official departure from the franchise. However, Mark’s bigger role inNCIS: Originsalso sets up a problem that has to be carefully solved sooner rather than later.
Mark Harmon’s Role In NCIS: Origins Explained
Gibbs' Location Helps Unravel His Reappearance
Mark Harmon’s expanded roleinNCIS: Originsalso holds a lot of mystery. Beyond Harmon’s role as the narrator, where he shares insights into young Gibbs' grieving mind, his scenes are limited to shots of him sitting by a campfire. A closer look at these scenes revealsGibbs is still in Alaska.NCISseason 19 revealed that Gibbs retired in Naktok Bay, Alaska, following his departure from the show, and as it turns out, he never left. Gibbs' hat, which is from Titus Bait & Tackle, Bristol Bay, Alaska, and the scenic shots of Gibbs' surroundings confirmed his location.
One thing is sure; Mark Harmon’s Gibbs is still an important character in the prequel.
Gibbs is also seen writing in his journal, a habit that was never discussed inNCIS. Gibbs' journaling scenes seem to imply that Gibbs is revisiting his painful memories of the early 1990s. Perhaps the relaxing atmosphere in Alaska has opened him up emotionally to the point where he feels comfortable revisiting the past. Gibbs might even be writing down what he says in theNCIS: Originsnarration. TheNCIS: Originspremiereleft the mystery behind old Gibbs unanswered, but one thing is sure; Mark Harmon’s Gibbs is still an important character in the prequel.
Mark Harmon’s Return as Gibbs Is Important For NCIS: Origins
Harmon’s Gibbs Helps Set The Tone
Mark Harmon’s mysterious appearance is important toNCIS: Originsbecause it helps set the tone of the show. AsAustin Stowell’s young Gibbsis seen grieving his first wife and daughter, struggling at his new job, and experiencing massive change all at once, it is nice to know that he is able to overcome it all by the time he becomes old Gibbs. The tone ofNCIS: Originsis significantly darker than that ofNCIS,butknowing that young Gibbs is able to cope and survive adds some easeto the show.
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Mark Harmon’s return as Gibbs also helps connect the spinoff to the flagship. AsNCIS: Originsfeatures an entirely new cast and tone, it can be easy to have the show feel disconnected from the franchise. The first season ofNCIS: Originswill also focus on NIS, rather than NCIS, which furthers the show’s disconnect from the franchise. As a result,NCIS: Originsis unlike any show that theNCISfranchise has made before, so it needs some additional support to connect everything together. Mark Harmon’s minor role is just what the show needs.
Mark Harmon’s Return Needs To Avoid Overshadowing Austin Stowell’s Gibbs
NCIS: Origins Needs To Find The Right Balance for Both Versions Of Gibbs
Mark Harmon’s Gibbs is a legendary character. Harmon played the role for almost 20 years, and he is synonymous with Gibbs andNCIS.Harmon' was part of the firstNCISteam and his exit fromNCISleft a noticeable absence in the cast, even with his replacement. Harmon’s appearance inNCIS: Originsis great because it continuesGibb’sNCISstory, but it also has the potential to overshadow Austin Stowell’s Gibbs. Even though Stowell is the newest lead and the newest Gibbs,it is a real risk that Mark Harmon’s return may eclipse Stowell’s portrayal of Gibbs.
Even though Stowell and Harmon are playing the same character, they are portraying different periods in Gibbs' life.
NCIS: Originsneeds to find the right balance between the two versions of Gibbs and figure out how to let both shine. As both actors are incredibly talented, the key will be for the show’s writers to figure out the right way forward.Harmon’s version is already so popularthat it may be easy to focus more on his portrayal. However, it is important to remember that even though Stowell and Harmon are playing the same character, they are portraying different periods in Gibbs' life. As a result, their versions will be different but equally significant to Gibbs' story.
How Austin Stowell Can Make Gibbs His Own In NCIS: Origins
Stowell Can Use Gibbs' Anger As Motivation
Austin Stowell portrays Gibbs as he goes through the worst time in his life.Young Gibbs is also likely facing things and emotions he has never experienced before, at least not at the level portrayed inNCIS: Origins. As a result, Stowell can make his version of Gibbs stand out by feeding into Gibbs' anger, sadness, and grief and showing how vulnerable Gibbs was in the early 1990s. It is likely that Stowell will look at Harmon’s Gibbs for inspiration, as Stowell’s version is the prerequisite for Harmon’s version.
NCIS: Origins’premiere, “Enter Sandman,” already showed Stowell’s version of Gibbs come to life and has included several characteristics that are present in Harmon’s version. Flashbacks to Gibb’s young family revealed Gibbs' pain in private. The premiere also showed Gibbs' discomfort in dealing with his emotions, something that is present inNCISas well with Harmon’s Gibbs. If the premiere is anything like the rest of the spinoff, includingNCIS: Originsseason 2, then Stowell’s presentation of Gibbs is something to look forward to.
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Mark Harmon’s NCIS: Origins series is officially here, and the NCIS prequel series' has already revealed a lot about its main character’s past.
It is clear that Stowell is already crafting a separate but equally valid portrayal of Gibbs in theNCISspinoff. It will be exciting to see how his young Gibbs develops further as all the action, storylines, and character growth inNCIS: Originslead up to the invigorating plots ofNCIS. It will also be interesting to watch how young Gibbs learns to cope with his emotions in order to transform into the Gibbs that he later becomes inNCIS.
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.
