Summary
The title of the premiereNCIS: Originsepisode likely teases that the series will revisit Leroy Jethro Gibbs' worst near-death experience that was revealed 18 years ago onNCIS.The new spinoff will premiere in October and explore theNCISorigins of Mark Harmon’s’central character for nearly two decades.NCIS:Origins’storywill delve deep into uncharted territory, but it will also build on existing narratives, completing some of the most compelling lore inNCIShistory.
Gibbs has a traumatic past leading up to 1991, inspiring his career change from Marine gunnery sergeant to fledgling NIS operative. Since theNCIS: Originsseries will pick up the same year, some of Gibbs' past will likely be explored as backstory when setting upNCIS: Originsin its two-hour premiere. Moreover, the title of the episode seemingly confirms the series will be confronting theNCIScharacter’s military past decades afterGibbs' retirement inNCIS. That means the franchise can finally explore a critical Gibbs arc 18 years after it was introduced.
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NCIS: Origins Premiere Title May Refer To Gibbs' Deployment In Operation Desert Storm
Leroy Jethro Gibbs Was A Gunnery Sergeant In The Marine Corps Before Joining NIS
TheNCIS: Originsepisode 1 title revealfrom actor Mariel Molino seemingly confirmed that the opening episode will revisit Gibbs' deployment in Operation Desert Storm. Molino’s Instagram post revealed the title ofNCIS: Originsseason 1, episode 1, is “Enter Sandman.” While the title can be a reference to the popular Metallica song of the same name, the play on words also likely references Gibbs' time spent in Desert Storm, with the"Sandman"reference pointing directly back to the gunnery sergeant turned special agent.
Gibbs' deployment in Operation Desert Storm would be a natural start for the series since Gibbs’NCIScareer directly followed his time deployed in the Middle East. Revisiting the narrative would mean thataudiences would finally be able to get the full story of how Gibbs was injured in Kuwait, revealing more than the fleeting flashbacks with whichNCISintroduced the story. As such,NCIS: Originscan build on one ofthe best episodes ofNCIS.
Gibbs Almost Died During Operation Desert Storm As Revealed In NCIS Season 3
NCIS Season 3 Explored The Agent’s Traumatic Past
NCISseason 3’s special double episode revealed Gibbs' traumatic past in the Marine Corps. In “Hiatus,” he was recovering from an explosion and woke up thinking that he was coming out from a coma that he experienced in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. While Gibbs slowly regained pieces of his memory amid a bout of amnesia,NCISexplored just how traumatic the experience was for him, particularly with how the Gunnery Sergeant almost dying.NCIS: Originsrevisiting the events of the two-part “Hiatus” episode can add more context to the story, including,what happened to Gibbs' wife and daughter.
Notes
NCISseason 3, episode 23, “Hiatus Part I”
Gibbs experiences an explosion and suffers a coma in the hospital.
NCISseason 3, episode 24, “Hiatus Part II”
After waking from his coma, Gibbs slowly overcomes his amnesia.
It was clear in “Hiatus Part II” that Gibbs' coma was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to that tumultuous period in the character’s life. It was a good chunk of time to dedicate to the backstory of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, but not enough to develop a narrative. Now, the franchise can fully flush out the story. Since it’s likely theNCIS: Originspremiere will revisit Gibbs' Operation Desert Storm experience with a title like “Enter Sandman,” the prequel series can finally tell the story properly, filling narrative gaps that the mothership wasn’t able to include.
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.
