Spoiler Alert for NCIS: Origins season 1, episode 4, “All’s Not Lost"WhileNCIS: Originsis meant to feature the early beginnings of Austin Stowell’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs, it also has an important role forMark Harmon’s Gibbs, which causes a significant problem.NCIS: Originsis set in 1991, shortly after Gibbs lost his first wife and daughter, and their death has played a significant role in shaping Gibbs' mental state and personality through theNCISspinoff. Despite the setting, Harmon also appears briefly throughout the show as he adds emotional context to heavy scenes.
While Mark Harmon’s reappearance in theNCISfranchise is welcomed after his exit inNCISseason 19,his appearance inNCIS: Originsoften overshadows Stowell’s Gibbs. As a result, what is meant to act as supporting context instead turns into a reliance on Harmon’s Gibbs. Gibbs' reveal inNCIS: Originsepisode 4only emphasized the show’s dependence on Harmon, which took away from the tragic confession.
Mark Harmon’s Narration In NCIS: Origins Is Sadder Than Anything In Episode 4
Gibbs Finally Revealed The Extent Of His Pain
NCIS: Originsepisode 4 revealed that Gibbs no longer felt that he had anything left to live forfollowing the death of Shannon and Kelly. The situation was made worse when it was shown that Gibbs found out about their murders through a correspondence letter while he was on deployment. The heavy and tragic scene wrapped up Shannon and Kelly’s story and revealed more about Gibbs' mental state than ever before.
What Happened To Gibbs’ Wife & Daughter In NCIS
The tragic past of NCIS' Leroy Jethro Gibbs' daughter and first wife, Kelly and Shannon Gibbs, is vital to the exposition of NCIS: Origins.
Austin Stowell brilliantly portrayed grief, loss, and hopelessness in the tense scene. However, the weight of the scene rested on Mark Harmon’s narration. While both actors emphasized the pain of the moment, it was the combination of Stowell’s acting and Harmon’s narration that made the scene so harrowing.Old Gibbs' thoughts added a level of emotional depththat strengthened the scene by bridging together theNCISGibbs with theNCIS: OriginsGibbs.
Stowell Is Good In NCIS: Origins, But Harmon Remains Synonymous With Gibbs
Stowell And Harmon Play Vastly Different Versions Of Gibbs
Austin Stowell has done a great job of portraying young Leroy Gibbs throughNCIS: Origins, but there is a catch. He is associated with young Gibbs, whereas Harmon is synonymous with Gibbs. The issue is thatHarmon has played Gibbs for almost 20 years inNCIS, which can make it difficult to see him as anything else. It also means that it can be difficult to see Gibbs as being played by anyone else.
Harmon is unintentionally overshadowing Stowell’s performance as a result of his iconic history in portraying Gibbs.
Gradually, Stowell will also become strongly associated and maybe even synonymous with the character, but as Harmon has over 20 years of experience, it will take time for Austin to get there. This is also part of whyHarmon’s appearance inNCIS: Origins is causing a problem. Rather than letting Stowell shine on his own, Harmon is unintentionally overshadowing Stowell’s performance as a result of his iconic history in portraying Gibbs.
Another problem is that Harmon and Stowell play such different versions of Gibbs that it can be hard to adapt to seeing Stowell play Gibbs when his character is struggling so much emotionally.Gibbs inNCISis stone-coldand would never be seen offering a little girl a doll or sharing his struggles with a new colleague. The version ofGibbs inNCIS: Originsis a welcome change and offers more insight into Gibbs' character than ever before, but it is different. Mark Harmon’s narration only overshadows Stowell’s complex character.
How NCIS: Origins Can Fix Its Mark Harmon Problem
Harmon Can Appear Briefly As Needed
The solution toNCIS: Origins' Harmonproblem is tolimit Mark Harmon’s appearances strategically, and this solution has already started. In episodes 1 and 2, Harmon had a much larger role than he did in episode 4. He appeared as a narrator in the background of scenes, but he also appeared physically in scenes that showed him sitting around a campfire in the present day. However, in episode 4, Harmon only appeared as a narrator, and only briefly in the beginning and end of the episode.
NCIS: Origins Episodes 4 Recap: 10 Biggest Moments & Reveals
The fourth episode of NCIS: Origins is full of big moments and reveals that build the story of Leroy Jethro Gibbs with Mark Harmon narrating.
to reduce the risk that Harmon will overshadow Austin Stowell’s performance,NCIS: Originsneeds to be picky about when they insert a narration by Harmon. In theNCIS: Originspremiere, Harmon’s appearance gave an air of mystery to the episode, but his appearances are less needed as time goes on. Stowell already has a strong foundation playing Gibbs, so Harmon’s narration should only be added if the scene really calls for it. Harmon’s addition to the worst moment of Gibbs' life in episode 4 gave the scene an emotional twist, but this should be used sparingly in the future.
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.
