A potential NCIS: Origins plot hole involving Gibbs’ father has been addressed. The upcoming show is a prequel to the iconic crime procedural following the early years of long-running major character Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, now played by Austin Stowell, though original star Mark Harmon is set to provide voiceover narration for the series. Young versions of other characters from the original cast will also appear in the NCIS : Origins show, including Kyle Schmid as Gibbs’ mentor Special Agent Mike Franks (originally played by Muse Watson) and Robert Taylor as Gibbs’ father Jackson Gibbs (originally played by Ralph Waite).
One of the questions asked in the TVLine Q&A column “Matt’s Inside Line” involved NCIS: Origins and whether the show would address the plot hole that, in the canon of the original series, Jackson hadn’t spoken to his son since the funeral of his daughter-in-law Shannon and granddaughter Kelly. Writer Matt Webb Mitovich spoke with co-showrunner David North about the issue and the creative revealed that “we did solve it” and that the new prequel is very much working within the canon of the original show despite taking place after Shannon and Kelly’s deaths. Read North’s full quote below:
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.
How Will NCIS: Origins Maintain Canon With Jackson Gibbs?
There Are Several Ways For Gibbs’ Dad To Play An Important Role
The upcoming NCIS spinoff does have its work cut out for it in terms of maintaining the continuity of the overarching universe of the franchise, which already encompasses eight shows including JAG, from which the original show was a spinoff in the first place. However, there are ultimately a few key ways that the prequel show could feature Jackson Gibbs without jeopardizing the canon. One factor that will help reduce the riskiness of including the character is the fact that he will be recurring rather than a regular, meaning that he will not be featured in every episode.
The episodes that do feature Jackson Gibbs can incorporate him in ways that do not violate the canon that was already established in the original NCIS. Because the primary storyline of Origins takes place after the deaths of Shannon and Kelly, this most likely means that any interactions he has with the younger Leroy Jethro Gibbs will be confined to flashback sequences, either taking place during the years before the funeral or during the days and weeks leading up to the funeral itself.
It is also possible that NCIS: Origins will feature Jackson Gibbs during the timeline of the main story of the show. One way this could happen is that Jackson could be attempting to help guide his son by talking to the people around him without directly coming into contact with him. It is also possible that Leroy could see his father once or twice without actually speaking with him, which may not technically be in violation of the canon of the duo not having spoken.