NCIS: Origins – The Shocking Truth About Gibbs' "Origin story"!
NCIS: Origins: A Major Twist That Rewrites Gibbs' Past
NCIS: Origins premiered, and that marketing? Total misdirection, folks! It was advertised as Mark Harmon's Leroy Jethro Gibbs' origin story – the prequel we've been waiting for. After 19 years, Gibbs, the iconic NCIS leader was essential to that entire franchise's storyline; and it was deeply felt when he left in 2021! The show was meant to be the prequel showing how this much loved and celebrated character becomes that powerful agent in the original series; going from a grieving man starting life over again to become this awesome embodiment of justice. A prequel that brings such iconic moments and stories back into view? Everyone might be interested in that!
There was major anticipation. Yet also concern and skepticism— after seeing those intimate moments in his personal life and in those intense situations within NCIS, plus its questionable replacing of the time-slot for the equally cancelled NCIS: Hawai'i, this was something everyone was interested in exploring. Those issues that appeared however are seemingly trivial and only add to the bigger surprises within the new show itself!
The Big Lie: Origins Isn't About Gibbs After All
The NCIS: Origins premiere is about that: surprising twists and those surprising turns that completely subvert what most people were hoping to get from that entire plot! The trailers for NCIS: Origins, hyped up Gibbs as that very subject; something stated throughout its entire promotional marketing that lasted even throughout that extended premiere. The title alone suggested the plot itself was centered upon this single important character; and those two episodes (”Enter Sandman Part 1” and ”Enter Sandman Part 2”) continue this illusion. They open months after his first wife and daughter's death, and show that the former Marine joins Mike Franks' team in Camp Pendleton; and that first case involves some important introspection as well as an amazing investigation for a distraught sniper, showing what life as an agent is really about; it’s already an interesting start with important character details showing what his internal life is actually like.
This new perspective adds a very important layer: It gives us access into his deep-seated thoughts and beliefs never before seen within this entire franchise. But then there’s a shocking twist.
A New Focus: Lala Dominguez Takes Center Stage
That twist, the major reveal? Everything shown previously gets turned on its head! The final monologue in episode 1, delivered by Harmon’s Gibbs, delivers a bombshell: NCIS: Origins isn't about him. This entire story is centered on Lala Dominguez, Mariel Molino’s character (who is already part of Franks' team). This becomes clear as Gibbs narrates the ending, delivering this quote that further contextualizes this immense shift:
"It was our job to tell those stories no matter how much they took from us. It was our job to get to an end we could live with. To tell an ending of justice — no matter the cost. This one isn't like the others. This is a story I don't tell. This is the story of her."
Before that, Lala was supposed to be a new character who might've even become a romantic interest for Gibbs. The early publicity gave all sorts of possible future directions and implied storylines – and created significant hype and excitement prior to its actual premiere. The resulting narrative, as it was created, instead presented a much different focus. Lala and Gibbs' initial relationship appears to be somewhat conflicted; Lala’s main concern centers around whether Gibbs can fully commit and become an agent without being impaired after his trauma!
How This Changes Everything About Gibbs' NCIS Story
Lala's story impacts how we might consider that existing Gibbs' story, folks! David J. North, one of the NCIS: Origins co-showrunners, made it very clear how vital this character might become in later productions. For example, romantic entanglement, impacts his past failures, potentially creating new interpretations as to why other relationships failed in that original NCIS. A possible link to tragedy? The cryptic foreshadowing for Lala’s possible death because of Gibbs could create massive implications concerning that original timeline for Gibbs' character— highlighting why some parts remain unexplored, those important parts from Gibbs' past. It could add another layer of sadness to his history.
Conclusion: NCIS: Origins – A Prequel Unlike Any Other!
NCIS: Origins’ shocking twist totally flipped our expectations! The entire premise shifted, creating that fascinating narrative focused on Lala Dominguez; a completely unforeseen shift! It raises tons of interesting questions and creates more curiosity; which totally enhances the overall interest! Those possible changes to Gibbs' history add more profound meaning to his NCIS story. A masterful stroke, this!
