NCIS: Origins Season 2, Episode 3 Evaluation

NCIS: Origins season 2, episode 3 brings in younger Ducky Mallard for arguably probably the greatest episodes of the sequence. CBS is banking on NCIS‘ Super Tuesday block to breathe new life into the long-running franchise. Whereas the flagship sequence will at all times have a particular place in viewers’ hearts, NCIS: Origins is beginning to present indicators of turning into as beloved as its dad or mum sequence.

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CBS instantly made it clear that NCIS: Origins is not just Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ story, regardless of the mission being initially promoted that approach. Every member of Mike Franks’ Camp Pendleton group has their respective arcs — with season 1 doing a fantastic job establishing them past being simply supporting characters. Gibbs’ relationship with Lala Dominguez has been notably targeted on, though Mariel Molino’s particular agent by no means appeared in NCIS.

On this week’s episode, nevertheless, the prequel explores a extra acquainted relationship to those that have been following the franchise for many years — Gibbs and Ducky. The episode is pleasant all through, however what makes it actually particular is the way in which it ends.

NCIS: Origins Season 2, Episode 3 Is A Love Letter To The Franchise’s Longest Friendship

Gibbs and Ducky talking in front of a TV showing nothing but static in NCIS — Gibbs and Ducky in NCIS

Due to David McCallum’s dying in 2023, NCIS already had a Ducky send-off episode, which options the shock return of Michael Weatherly’s Anthony DiNozzo Jr. The shock cameo was nice. That mentioned, it nonetheless felt incomplete as a result of Mark Harmon’s Gibbs did not return.

A few years later, Origins season 2 makes amends and even does some world-building on the facet with “The Edge.” Regardless of recasting younger Gibbs with Austin Stowell, Adam Campbell reprises his function as younger Ducky pretty effectively. He captures McCallum’s eccentricities and attraction, which helps in endearing MCRT’s future major ME additional. All through the hour, Ducky’s journey to Camp Pendleton permits him to attach with every member of Franks’ group, together with the boss himself, who is not too eager on his arrival.

Total, there’s one thing particular about seeing younger Gibbs and Ducky reunite roughly a decade since they first met, as tackled within the flagship. Ideally, the pair would have spent extra time collectively, however it seems like this may not be the final time that Campbell will seem within the prequel. What makes NCIS: Origins season 2, episode 3 a lot extra particular and emotional is Harmon’s narration, particularly in direction of the top.

Since Gibbs wasn’t at Ducky’s funeral, Harmon’s older model provides his personal tribute to his late buddy. Listening to his weak ideas about shedding Ducky, together with how a lot he misses his buddy, is such a bittersweet second. The final time Gibbs and Ducky’s friendship was on the forefront of the franchise was throughout their transient farewell throughout Harmon’s NCIS season 19 exit. Up till this level, viewers haven’t had the possibility to be taught Gibbs’ response to Ducky’s demise.

Ducky’s NCIS: Origins Season 2 Teases The Nice Potential Of Gibbs’ Prequel

Whether or not NCIS: Origins deserves to exist has been a favourite matter of dialog because the mission was introduced. Gibbs’ previous was considerably lined all through his virtually 20 years on the flagship sequence. Though his adventures with the remainder of Franks’ group have been principally compelling to this point, there’s one side of the present that absolutely justifies its existence, and it is on full show in NCIS: Origins season 2, episode 3.

Gibbs was a person of few phrases. If he may get away with not speaking, he would. He performed issues so near his chest that it was very uncommon to see him in a weak state. Since NCIS: Origins is dictated by previous Gibbs’ narration, viewers are provided the possibility to get to know the TV icon on a deeper degree. Even when he attended Ducky’s NCIS funeral, it is extremely unlikely that he would have spoken about shedding his buddy the way in which he did within the prequel.

Shifting ahead, it will be attention-grabbing to be taught extra of Gibbs’ perspective, not solely as he continues to reminisce about his time in Camp Pendleton, but in addition as extra acquainted faces from the flagship become involved within the prequel. Simply that alone is sufficient motive to no less than give NCIS: Origins a good shot at succeeding.

Launch Date: October 14, 2024
Administrators: Niels Arden Oplev, John Terlesky, Diana Valentine, Edward Ornelas, Hanelle M. Culpepper, Lionel Coleman, Loren Yaconelli, Pete Chatmon, Pamela Romanowsky, Ruben Garcia, Jessica Lowrey
Writers: Brendan Fehily