Warning! This article contains spoilers for NCIS: Origins season 2, episode 3, “Bend, Don’t Break”
In a clever twist, some of Austin Stowell’s worst traits as the young Gibbs character inNCIS: Originsbecame Mark Harmon’s best traits in the flagship series. The prequel tells the backstory of centralNCIScharacter Leroy Jethro Gibbs at the start of his NCIS career. That story is intertwined with the tragic tale ofwhat happened to Gibbs' wife and daughter inNCISand the story of NIS Special Agent Lala Dominguez (Mariel Molino). Harmon reprised his role as the older Gibbs in the series, narrating the episodes while appearing on camera for the premiere episode as Gibbs for the first time sinceNCISseason 19.
Still, all eyes are on Stowell in the prequel series. TheNCIS: Originsactorpromises a different representation of Gibbs, who is emotionally marred after a drug dealer murders Shannon and Kelly for agreeing to testify against him. The tragic loss of his family leaves Gibbs impulsive and vulnerable, which is a tumultuous combination, especially in police work where he is in the line of fire. The problem in theNCIS: Originsstoryis that he hasn’t proved it yet.
Austin Stowell’s Gibbs' Work Process In NCIS: Origins Sets Him Up To Be A Great MCRT Leader
Gibbs Bends The Rules In “Bend, Don’t Break”
Gibbs is a great team leader inNCISbecause he uses his sharp instincts to keep himself and his team out of harm’s way. Gibbs goes with his gut when there is sometimes no evidence or proof, staying one step ahead of the perps to keep his team safe, and Harmon’s Gibbs builds a track record of it paying off. It’s clear thatGibbs is honing his methods inNCIS: Originsseason 1, episode 3, “Bend, Don’t Break,”when he breaks the elevator’s emergency brake lever to hold their suspect hostage despite not having evidence to detain him.
TheNCIS: Originspremiere reveals that Gibbs fails his psych evaluation to become an NIS agent.
Gibbs’ move inNCIS: Originsepisode 3 is a flash of the trademark decision-making that defines him in the originalNCIS, showing Gibbs honing his brand of justice. The problem for Stowell’s Gibbs is that he hasn’t earned his reputation yet as a skilled NCIS agent with a killer instinct. Instead,the newly-minted agent is known for being unstable, and so, while Gibbs is excellent on the crime scene and helps find their suspect in theNCIS: Originsepisode 1 premiere, “Enter Sandman,” his trouble keeping a level head makes it difficult for the people around him to trust him.
Why Gibbs' Same Work Traits Are Criticized In Origins But Celebrated In NCIS
Austin Stowell’s Gibbs Needs To Earn His Stripes
While Harmon’sGibbs is occasionally checked by an outside agencythroughoutNCIS,he is generally revered by those around him and able to win over doubters. Gibbs’ same work habits that are viewed as helplessly off-the-books inNCIS: Originsare celebrated inNCISbecause Harmon’s Gibbs proved himself for 12 years between theNCIS: Originspremiere andNCISseason 1, episode 1. InNCIS,Gibbs can push the forensics department to process evidence faster and bend the rules because he has earned the trust of people around him, and that won’t come cheap for Stowell’s Gibbs.
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.
