TV Review!
“NCIS: Origins” on CBS Review by Suzanne 12/16/24
It took me a while to warm to this show, but I enjoy it. It’s been a slow burn. At first, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like the actor who plays young Leroy Gibbs (Austin Stowell) because he looks nothing like Mark Harmon (who plays Gibbs in the present). We all know what Mark Harmon looked like when he was young because he was on TV at age 22. He was much more handsome and has more charisma than Stowell. Stowell is good-looking but has a longer face, a pointier chin and a larger nose. His eyebrows and ears are different. Harmon has piercing blue eyes, and Stowell does not. He has green eyes and wears blue contacts over the green ones. In short, it doesn’t quite work. However, he is a very good actor, and he has the same quiet intensity that Harmon has (especially as Gibbs). They have similar lips and are the same height. After a while of watching Stowell as Gibbs, it works. The other cast members do a great job, too. There are only two others playing characters we know from NCIS. One is Gibbs’ mentor and friend, Agent Mike Franks. He was originally played by Muse Watson, but now he’s played by Kyle Schmid, who is one of the best things about the show. The other is Special Agent Vera Strickland, played originally by Roma Maffia, now played by Diany Rodriguez. She appears to be a potential romantic interest for Gibbs.
Gibbs’ main story this season has been about grieving the murder of his wife and daughter, dealing with PTSD and injuries from the Gulf War, and fitting in with the new NIS squad in 1991 (they become NCIS in 1992). These events take place a decade before the main “NCIS” show’s events. Anyone who knows the history of the show will remember that Gibbs shot the cartel guy who killed his family, and all that he dealt with in the past, but we get to see it all again in this show. Gibbs’ dad was played well by the late Ralph Waite. Now he’s played equally well by Robert Taylor (“Longmire”). I hope we see more of him.
One of the main things that makes the show more interesting is that Mark Harmon narrates the series. It’s great to hear his voice again.
There have been many spinoffs from NCIS, but this prequel is worth watching. I think the stories are better and not as dull as some procedurals can be. One thing that’s fun about setting a show in the early 90’s is that the technology is different (no cell phones!), and the laws are also a little different. The show is set in Camp Pendleton near Oceanside, CA (about 40 minutes north of San Diego). I grew up in San Diego and then moved to Carlsbad (one of the towns near Oceanside) for high school, so it makes me laugh when they mention that area.
It will be interesting to see how Gibbs changes going forward, as they make him into the Gibbs we know from “NCIS.” I look forward to it.
MORE INFORMATION: Official Site Trailer
NCIS: ORIGINS follows a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell) in 1991, years prior to the events of NCIS, and is narrated by Mark Harmon. In the series, Gibbs starts his career as a newly minted special agent at the fledgling NCIS Camp Pendleton office, where he forges his place on a gritty, ragtag team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid).
Premieres Monday, Oct. 14 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.
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ON AIR: ORIGINATION: |
Mondays (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT), beginning Oct. 21 Los Angeles |
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FORMAT: |
Drama (Filmed in HD) |
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STARRING: |
Austin Stowell |
(Leroy Jethro Gibbs) |
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Mariel Molino |
(Lala Dominguez) |
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Kyle Schmid |
(Mike Franks) |
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Tyla Abercrumbie |
(Mary Jo Hayes) |
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Diany Rodriguez |
(Vera Strickland) |
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Caleb Foote |
(Bernard “Randy” Randolf) |
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PRODUCED BY: |
CBS Studios |
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EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: |
David J. North, Gina Lucita Monreal, Mark Harmon and Sean Harmon |
CBS X: https://x.com/CBSTweet
Cast on social:
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Austin Stowell |
@amstowell |
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Mariel Molino |
@marielmolino |
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Kyle Schmid |
@iamkyleschmid |
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Tyla Abercrumbie |
@tylaabercrumbie |
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Diany Rodriguez |
@dianysaurusrex |
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Caleb Foote |
@calebfoote |
Proofread and Edited by Brenda
The opinions in these articles are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The TV MegaSite or its other volunteers.