NCIS: ORIGINS Is ‘Grittier’ Than Predecessors. Is It Worth a Watch?
By Movieguide® Contributor
NCIS: ORIGINS finally premiered on Oct. 14, and the crew opened up about what fans can expect from the series.
“The character of Gibbs has resonated with global audiences because he is a role model and at the same time someone you can relate to,” Sean Harmon, Mark Harmon’s son who served as an executive producer, NCIS-origins-austin-stowell-cbs-paramount-1236116303/">said. “The world is used to seeing Gibbs as ‘the boss’, but in NCIS: ORIGINS we are dealing with a much less tempered version of him. Fans can look forward to a more intimate look into what makes Gibbs tick, as well as meeting some of the characters who influenced him along the way.”
ORIGINS “Follows a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs as he starts his career as part of the Naval Investigative Service operating out of the Camp Pendleton,” per IMDB.
Episode 1, “Enter Sandman,” drew viewers into Gibbs’ early career, as Screen Rant NCIS-origins-episodes-1-and-2-recap/">described:
…the series’ opening episode, “Enter Sandman,” featured plenty of important moments and setups for the future. As expected, the two-part premiere revisited major events from Gibbs’ background and how he started as an NCIS agent. It introduced new characters and storylines that will also guide the narrative of NCIS: Origins more than previously expected. While the series has procedural aspects, the NCIS: ORIGINS story will tell a serialized narrative, meaning viewers can expect plotlines to carry between episodes.
“NCIS: ORIGINS is just after the death of his wife and daughter,” NCIS-origins-austin-stowell-cbs-paramount-1236116303/">explained Mark, who played Gibbs on the flagship NCIS series. “He is the ‘newbie’ at NIS and learning every day under Special Agent Mike Franks. We will see him develop and grow into the man he becomes, and we will ride with the audience revealing that backstory and history.”
While fans are thrilled to see that Gibbs is back, co-showrunner Gina Monreal said it’s “grittier” than NCIS typically is.
“The tone itself is a bit grittier, it’s a bit darker, which we love, because we feel like we’re pushing the envelope as far as what the franchise does, but at the same time, we’re keeping the heart of it. What makes NCIS so beloved is this found family,” she NCIS-origins-austin-stowell-cbs-paramount-1236116303/">explained.
Movieguide® noticed this too, noting in the review that ORIGINS 1.1 and 1.2 “clearly has a bleaker tone and a world-weariness to the characters.”
Like its predecessor, the first two episodes of NCIS: ORIGINS focus on conscientious military investigators looking for truth and justice. However, NCIS: ORIGINS immediately separates itself from its predecessor. The prequel makes it clear that ORIGINS will be a more serious program. Gone are the moments of absurdist humor from the side characters. Also, the two-part opening episode is marred by some crude foul language, references to drug abuse and possible occultism, and a bedroom scene between the team leader and his wife. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution.
READ MORE: NCIS: ORIGINS 1.1 AND 1.2 “ENTER SANDMAN – PART 1 AND PART 2
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