NCIS Origins boss addresses concerns of possible Gibbs’ dad plot hole
NCIS Origins is to delve into Agent Gibbs' past but the inclusion of his dad could prove problematic for its long-term fans
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An NCIS Origins showrunner has talked about the potential plot hole created by the presence of Gibbs’ estranged dad in the prequel.
NCIS will be back for season 22 but there is also the new series NCIS Origins, a prequel focused on Agent Gibbs (played by Mark Harmon) to get excited about.
Set in 1991, the CBS spin-off will revolve around Gibbs’ (played by Austin Stowell) early career at NCIS Camp Pendleton where he joins a team led by boss Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid).
There will be new faces as well as younger versions of already established characters like Mike and Agent Vera Strickland, with the role being taken over by Diany Rodriguez for the prequel.
Another important character welcomed for Origins will be Gibbs’ dad Jackson Gibbs who will be portrayed by Robert Taylor after originally being played by Ralph Waite in NCIS.
Jackson’s introduction, however, does bring up a potential plot hole.
Gibbs, in the mothership drama, hadn't spoken to his dad since the funeral of his wife Shannon and daughter Kelly, showing up for the first time in season six.
So Jackson’s inclusion has the potential to cause problems for the NCIS universe’s continuity but co-showrunner David North has addressed the issue.
He explained to TV Line: “We did solve it. We’re very aware of the canon and what’s been set up, and we’re working within that.
“But I’ll say this: Jackson (to be played by Longmire‘s Robert Taylor) is an important role, and we’ll see the influence of him on Gibbs.”
One way in which Jackson could feature in the upcoming prequel is through flashbacks, taking place throughout the years before the funeral or during.
Other alternatives could be Jackson trying to indirectly help his son by speaking to those around him or them seeing one another but not actually speaking.
There isn’t too much longer to wait thankfully to find out just how big of a part Jackson is going to play in Gibbs’ life from a distance in the spin-off.
NCIS Origins premieres on Monday, October 14, on CBS.
