NCIS: Originsbringing back Mark Harmon means that he is breaking Leroy Jethro Gibbs' final rule. For almost two decades, the veteran actor served as the poster face for CBS' hit procedural. BeforeNCISeven premiered, Harmon’sGibbs already had an established team in JAG, proving his leadership qualities. When the famed character returns to the small screen as a young NIS agent as part of Kyle Schmid’s Mike Franks' rag-tag team. InNCIS: Origins, Austin Stowell will take over the role, as the viewers learnstories about Gibbs that he never told in the flagshipNCISseries.
Admittedly, there have been arguments againstNCIS: Origins, especially after Gibbs' stint in its parent series. That said, it promises to reveal a side of the character that has never been shown thus far.Stowell’s recast iteration of Gibbswill supposedly be significantly different from Harmon’s version. This is because the spinoff picks up on the heels of his Marine discharge and the heartbreaking murder of his first wife and daughter, Shannon and Kelly. Despite a new character stepping into the role, however,Harmon will still be involved, causing him to break one of his character’s most famed rules.
Mark Harmon’s Return In NCIS: Origins Explained
NCIS: Origins Will Tackle Gibbs' Earliest Years With The Agency
The idea for a Gibbs prequel was actually from Mark and Sean Harmon, after the duo thought that it was a good idea to revisit the character’s past via a new spinoff. Considering the continued success ofNCISand the popularity of the character, it didn’t take much to convince CBS. Aside from producing the new show, theolder Harmon is also set to narrate the events ofNCIS: Origins. This is inspired by the storytelling format ofYoung Sheldon, which was also some sort of an origins story for Jim Parsons' beloved socially-inept genius inThe Big Bang Theory.
Unlike Young Sheldon, which waited until its finale to reveal why Parsons' Sheldon was revisiting his childhood, the new NCIS franchise series will show from the get-go why Gibbs is reminiscing about his earliest days with the agency.
For a while, this was the case, but it changed when it was announced that Harmon would appear inNCIS: Origins' premiere. Not much is revealed about what to expect from the actor’s on-screen comeback, but it’s safe to say that it will have to do something with establishing its premise. UnlikeYoung Sheldon, which waited until its finale to reveal why Parsons' Sheldon was revisiting his childhood, the newNCISfranchiseseries will show from the get-go why Gibbs is reminiscing about his earliest days with the agency. Harmon’s return will also entice more people to check outNCIS: Origins.
Mark Harmon’s NCIS: Origins Appearance Breaks Gibbs' Rule 49
Harmon Should Know Better
SinceHarmon exitedNCISin season 19, seeing him back on the screen will definitely be a treat for anyone who has followed the police procedural for years. That said, seeing him physically reprising the role would mean that he would break the last of Gibbs' cardinal rules. Originating from Shannon’s penchant for laying out guidelines, her husband adopted the habit and became one of his signature traits inNCIS. Throughout his run as MCRT’s leader, these laws were regularly brought up, with his last one beingRule #91: When You Decide To Walk Away, Don’t Look Back.
21 Years Later, I Think NCIS' Pilot Is Still Its Best Episode
After 21 years on air and over 1000 overall outings across the franchise, I still believe that NCIS' very first episode is still its best offering.
Granted that Harmon was already going to be involved inNCIS: Originsregardless, but it’s different seeing him play the role on the screen again. Physically coming back would be a more egregious way of breaking Rule #91 rather than just hearing his voice narrative and knowing that he is producing the series. Understandably,NCIS: Originsneeds this connection to the veteran actor to convince those who may be on the fence about the series. Seeing Harmon back in theNCISuniverse is him effectively bending one ofGibbs' rulesabout never coming back after deciding to move forward.
Will Mark Harmon Appear In Other NCIS Shows After Origins?
There Are Other NCIS Shows That Could Use Gibbs
Currently, Harmon is only set to appear inNCIS: Origins' premiere. Despite that, this set the precedent for him to make another cameo, either in the same series or a different one under the same CBS banner. Aside from the prequel, Gibbs can also return in the flagship series, where his presence is sorely missed. Harmon already missed major episodes, such as Ducky’s send-off outing andNCIS' 1000th episode, so his resurgence in the MCRT bullpen under any circumstances will be much welcomed.
Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo’s NCIS: Tony & Ziva will also premiere, and likewise, it will be a great avenue for Harmon’s Gibbs to appear.
As part of the universe’s continued evolution,NCIS: Originsisn’t the only spinoff set to debut in the foreseeable future. Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo’s NCIS: Tony & Ziva will also premiere, and likewise, it will be a great avenue for Harmon’s Gibbs to appear. It could be a great reunion for the trio, who haven’t shared the screen since de Pablo left the procedural.
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.
