What Makes NCIS: ORIGINS’ Gibbs So Different from the One Fans Know

NCIS: ORIGINS
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JULY 13: (L-R) David J. North, Kyle Schmid, Gina Lucita Monreal, Austin Stowell, Mark Harmon, Mariel Molino and Sean Harmon speak onstage at the "NCIS: Origins" Presentation Q&A during the CBS Network portion of the 2024 TCA Summer Press Tour at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on July 13, 2024 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

By Gavin Boyle

The Leroy Jethro Gibbs portrayed in NCIS is confident and sure of himself, but that is not the case in NCIS: ORIGINS. The showrunners of the prequel explained why they made that distinction.

“I think these characters are finding the truth within themselves as well, which is an interesting place to be, especially for the Gibbs character, who the iteration that we know from the mothership is very sure of himself, knows who he is,” Gina Lucita Montreal told Movieguide®. “That is not the same character that we’re seeing here. He hasn’t grown into that yet. He’s discovering what truth means to him, what he believes. And I think that makes for an interesting journey because I think it’s one that we all tend to go on.”

This struggle with truth came to the forefront in the season finale as Gibbs and other members of his team have to decide if they are going to lie to cover up Gibbs’ past actions and save him from dire consequences. He eventually decides it is best to tell the truth, as noted in Movieguide®’s review.

NCIS: ORIGINS’ season finale has a light moral worldview, as characters are focused on helping each other, finding out the truth, and delivering justice. However, much of the episode’s plot is devoted to lying, as Gibbs and his team repeatedly lie about Hernandez’s death. In the end, he does confess. There is also some strong language used throughout the episode, as well as intense action scenes, some violent scenes, and a few scenes featuring characters drinking and smoking. Movieguide® advises extreme caution.

This decision, however, did not come lightly, as the showrunners were careful to point out through their portrayal of Gibbs’ inner struggle.

Related: How Will This Tragedy Impact NCIS: ORIGINS’ Story?

“In ORIGINS especially, we’re interested in showing the sort of emotional side of [military work]. The struggles that could go on in your own head, and what that does to a person” Montreal said.

This struggle is greatly highlighted in the season finale as not everyone is happy with Gibbs’ decision, particularly Special Agent Lala Dominguez who risks her own freedom to protect him.

“There’s a lot of disagreement. They could lose their jobs, go to jail,” Mariel Molino, who plays Agent Dominguez, told TV Insider. “You see everybody’s worst side. Lala is between this friendship and loyalty to the guys.”

Fans of the show will continue to see Gibbs and the other characters develop as ORIGINS has been renewed for a second season. And especially after a cliffhanger finale, this next season cannot come soon enough.

Read Next: NCIS: ORIGINS Promises ‘So Much to Explore’

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