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NCIS: Origins Season 1 Premiere Review: Ballad Of A Broken Man

Critic's Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
4.5

If you’re anything like this TV Fanatic, you likely asked yourself, “How could a long-standing franchise like NCIS possibly go back in time? What is there left to tell in NCIS: Origins?”

The answer is an astounding amount! I was not prepared for that deep dive into the past. This show wasted no time jumping right into a case of love and drugs.

NCIS: Origins takes audiences into a past that feels as real and relevant as any story told in modern-day settings. The series boasts a cast as talented as they are young and attractive.

NCIS: Origins - S01E01&02 - NCIS: Origins
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)

Despite the cookie-cutter procedural format, CBS’s NCIS: Origins has complex characters and an intricate story that speaks to the years of fantastic writing and plotting the franchise is known for.

Were You Excited To See Gibbs’ Backstory Unfold?
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Unlike Other Shows, NCIS: Origins Spends More Time On Quality Writing Than Blatant and Over The Top ‘90s Propping

Time-traveling back to the ‘90s, NCIS: Origins doesn’t ham up the era with elaborate props and over-the-top billboards that scream, “I Love The ‘90s.” Remember the cringe-fest of a show?

Despite the use of Walkmans and Beepers, the story feels grounded to the point that it’s easy to forget what decade the show takes place in.

The retro aesthetic isn’t nearly as jarring as the amount of emotion in NCIS: Origins. I have to admit that I was shocked by the number of tear-worthy moments during the premiere episodes.

The series already has so much history to draw from, and the hands behind the show are doing the most with it. But what is going to be the central focus of the NCIS prequel?

Diany Rodriguez as Vera Strickland
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)

Sure, we’re exploring Leroy’s start, but die-hard fans of the franchise know he had a lot going on long before he started with the NIS.

While NCIS: Origins will likely follow a case-of-the-week format, there’s still the matter of the over-arching story. However, we may have already been clued in on what this series may be about.

NCIS: Origins Tip-Toes Around The Main Plot Of The Series

This feels like a spoiler, but considering Gibbs’s character and backstory have been entertaining fans for over twenty years after appearing on JAG, I should be able to speculate.

For newcomers to the franchise, I’ll try to be as coy about this as possible until the series tells its own story. Considering Gibbs’ timeline, there’s a good chance the main plot will focus on the events surrounding his wife and daughter’s murder.

You’re likely going, “Obviously, that’s going to be a main issue because the character is still reeling from the loss.” And you’re exactly right!

Patrick Fischler as Cliff Walker
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)

However, if you know, you know. And I don’t think NCIS: Origins will keep what I’m tip-toeing around a secret for very long. Again, what I’m referring to can easily be looked up.

Out of respect for fresh fans of the franchise who want to go into this new series blind, I’m not going to spoil anything for now. Just reference the scene where Leroy’s (Austin Stowell) dad asks him, “Did they catch him?”

Then again, NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 1 ended with the final line, “The story of her.” So, whatever this tale that present-day Gibbs is telling entails, we know Special Agent Lala Dominguez is at the center of it.

Familiar Franchise Favorites Abound, But Not All Faces Are Easily Recognizable

I’ve recently noticed a surge in stories, particularly any involving law enforcement, in which a Latin woman aids a caucasian man. Is this a trend? I saw a similar dynamic on Bad Monkey with Vince Vaughn and Natalie Martinez.

While franchise fans were meeting Lala for the first time, there were plenty of young faces of old friends. I had no idea that Kyle Schmid was playing Mike Franks.

Mariel Molino as Cecilia “Lala” Dominguez
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)

Known for his roles in SIX, Being Human, and Copper, the actor has been active in the entertainment industry for almost thirty years.

He was utterly unrecognizable until I looked up the role. My hat is off to Schmid because he went in on the character.

Considering Franks is beloved, the actor likely wanted to do Mike justice. It was either “do a good job” or incur the wrath of the franchise’s Facebook fan groups.

However, my favorite character so far has to be Diany Rodriguez’s Special Agent, Vera Strickland. First seen in NCIS Season 11 Episode 3, “Under the Radar,” fans now know the character in her younger years.

She is a thirsty lady because she took one look at that tall drink of water, Gibbs, and was ready to climb him like a tree! I don’t blame her either. That man is damn handsome.

Now, we need to wait for Dwayne Cassius Pride, Dan McLane, and Felix Betts to round out the “Fed Five.” There’s been no word of casting, but considering Gibbs’ history, we’re bound to see them.

Kyle Schmid
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)

Austin Stowell Gives A Heartbreaking Performance of Leroy Jethro Gibbs

Speaking of the man of the hour, I have a feeling we’re seeing how all the pieces of Leroy were put back together with some parts added.

First, Austin Stowell did a fantastic job! The way he portrayed so much emotion with barely a facial expression was next-level acting. Give the man the Emmy!

He turned every emotional scene up to eleven. I lost count of how often I almost cried from his stoic expressions.

The way the character used every bit of focus and energy to keep from breaking down is HEARTBREAKING. This is why I agree with Lala (Mariel Molino) when she said his head wasn’t ready for the job yet.

She was right, and he knew it too. He didn’t hesitate to ask Franks about his psych evaluation. He is a broken man, and listening to the victim’s grandmother talk about the loss of family and loved ones certainly wasn’t helping him.

Austin Stowell as Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Mariel Molino as Cecilia “Lala” Dominguez
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)

However, just in the first two episodes, you can see where Gibbs got some of his trademark personality traits.

For one, we have Special Agent Dominguez to thank for introducing the handsome widower to Bourbon. That definitely sticks.

It’s just a matter of time until Gibbs picks up on Franks’ head-slapping, but after seeing the mentor interrogate that meth dealer, I think it’s safe to say Gibbs picks up more than a few traits from his role model.

As for Gibbs’ unique ability to overhear information by standing behind or near people, it looks like that gift was procured from Caleb Martin Foote’s Special Agent Benjamin “Randy” Randolf.

NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 2 was not shy about throwing a spotlight on the character accidentally eavesdropping. If that’s not a clue or an Easter egg, I don’t know what is!

Caleb Foote as Bernard “Randy” Randolf and Austin Stowell as Leroy Jethro Gibbs
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)

Despite Gibbs’ psych evaluation, his sharp mind still helped get the team the right guy. It would be great if he could do it without ruffling too many feathers.

Also, it would be great if he didn’t get a gold star every time he tied his shoelaces. What was with the constant positive reinforcement?

When Elsbeth or Morgan on High Potential gets anything right, their reward is the continued tolerance of their peers. It’s not like patting Gibbs on the back will make him chattier.

Regardless, NCIS: Origins is off to a strong start, promising the untold history of the character who kicked off a mountainous franchise.

Austin Stowell as Leroy Jethro Gibbs
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)

This is one NCIS spinoff that won’t get the boot too soon.

Do you think the spinoff does the character of Gibbs justice?

Who are you hoping to see a younger version of from the franchise?

Please drop a comment below to let me know what you liked about this episode, and join me again when I review the next episode of NCIS: Origins!

Watch NCIS: Origins Online

Cindy

Friday 18th of October 2024

Not ashamed to say I started this show just for Austin Stowell. I had only caught re-runs of NCIS on the telly and couldn’t be bothered to start, as 22 seasons sounds long now. However I have been loving this so far.

I initially thought somehow Hewitt’s husband came back from the dead. Did not guess it would be Bugs. I was actually surprised when he took the spoon back and could feed himself soup without spilling some (at least I didn’t see any).

Can wait to see how the story all unfolds. The writing and acting have been excellent.

The Observer

Friday 18th of October 2024

@Joshua Pleming, Frankly I'm not sure that NCIS: Origins will tell you much about the whole franchise. I suspect that this latest spin-off will concentrate more on the Gibbs' ongoing search for his family's killers and of course on his angst. The troubled face of young Gibbs was very much in evidence in the first two hours. The "crime of the week" will play second fiddle whereas on most NCIS series it has been just the opposite.

Joshua Pleming

Friday 18th of October 2024

Yeah, that Austin Stowell is quite the presence. His acting is incredible and the writing was so good for the premiere! I'm like you in that I've never seen NCIS in its entirety and saw the prequel series as a way to jump into the franchise. I can't wait to see what else the season has in store!

Rebecca Mornay

Thursday 17th of October 2024

Spot on casting with younger Gibbs & Franks. Plenty of intrigue too. The acting was subtle & right for the characters

Joshua Pleming

Thursday 17th of October 2024

That's what I thought too! Austin Stowell was so good as the younger Gibbs. So much intensity in just his eyes!

E. Poot

Tuesday 15th of October 2024

how can a meth head who can barely hold a spoon shoot people with a sniper rifle that somehow never was found. Sorry but that was a weak plot.

Joshua Pleming

Tuesday 15th of October 2024

I am right there with you. My first thought was, "That guy pulled off this elaborate murder plot?" I definitely had to suspend my belief for that, but the rest of the premiere was exciting!

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