The NCIS universe has seen its fair share of spin-offs, but NCIS: Origins has faced an especially difficult challenge: capturing the essence of a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs while remaining faithful to the original series. Unfortunately, the worst episode of the prequel series has exposed major flaws in both the spin-off and the NCIS franchise as a whole. From characterization issues to predictable storytelling, this installment exemplifies why NCIS has been struggling in recent years.
The Problem with Deconstructing Gibbs
Gibbs is one of the most beloved and well-defined characters in the NCIS franchise, and fans have spent two decades watching his story unfold. His tragic backstory—including the murder of his wife and daughter—has shaped him into the tough, disciplined leader fans have come to admire. However, this episode of NCIS: Origins attempts to dissect Gibbs’ personality in a way that feels artificial rather than revelatory.
Instead of providing meaningful insights into his character, the episode presents a version of Gibbs that feels unfamiliar and inconsistent with what we know. His motivations and choices feel contrived, as if the writers are more interested in shoehorning new drama into his past rather than exploring what truly makes him tick. This disconnect between past and present Gibbs highlights a major issue with prequels in general—when done poorly, they can undermine the very characters they aim to expand upon.
Lazy Storytelling and Predictable Plots
Another glaring issue in this episode is the uninspired writing. NCIS has always followed a procedural format, but the best episodes incorporate intricate cases, sharp dialogue, and strong character moments. Unfortunately, NCIS: Origins leans too heavily on tired tropes and lacks the emotional weight needed to make its stories compelling.
In this particular episode, the case-of-the-week is forgettable and does little to develop Gibbs’ character in a meaningful way. Instead of offering a fresh perspective on his early years, the plot relies on overused clichés, making it feel like a rehash of past NCIS episodes rather than something unique to Origins. This creative stagnation is a major problem not only for NCIS: Origins but also for the flagship NCIS series, which has been accused of playing it too safe for years.
What This Means for the NCIS Franchise
The flaws in this episode are indicative of a larger issue within the NCIS franchise: a reluctance to evolve. While NCIS has managed to remain on the air for over two decades, recent seasons have struggled to capture the same magic that made the early years so successful. With key actors departing and newer characters failing to resonate as strongly, the show has felt increasingly stale.
NCIS: Origins was meant to reinvigorate the franchise by offering a fresh take on a beloved character, but if episodes like this continue, it may instead accelerate the show’s decline. Unless the writers can find a way to balance respect for the past with compelling new storytelling, both the flagship NCIS series and its prequel risk losing their audiences.
Moving Forward
If NCIS and NCIS: Origins are to regain their former glory, they need to focus on strong character development and engaging, unpredictable plots. Simply recycling old ideas or reinterpreting established characters in ways that don’t fit won’t cut it. The franchise must embrace change while staying true to its roots—only then can it avoid the fate of so many long-running series that ultimately fade into irrelevance.
