Gibbs’ Longest Con Lays The Groundwork For NCIS’ Most Useless Death

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Be warned, this article contains spoilers for NCIS: Origins season 2, episode 8, “End of the Road.” NCIS: Origins is launching a long-term, elaborate plan for Leroy Jethro Gibbs, and it also introduces a death that feels ultimately pointless. While initially seen as a way for CBS to extend the popular NCIS franchise, the Mark Harmon-supported prequel has proven its worth over the past season and a half. Remarkably, NCIS: Origins has developed engaging storylines, both professional and personal, for the team at Mike Franks’ Camp Pendleton base.

Following a strong first season, NCIS: Origins season 2 has done a great job of fleshing out its characters. This year, 1992, has been eventful for Gibbs. After a close call with Lala, he reconnected with Ducky and investigated a case that the main NCIS team would eventually solve thirty years later. But in the season’s fall finale, Gibbs makes another significant life change: he marries Diane Sterling.

Gibbs’ Marriage To Diane Is His Longest NCIS Lie

CBS

The show NCIS establishes that Gibbs and Diane were once married, but the prequel series NCIS: Origins provides the details of how their relationship developed. When Diane was first introduced in the original NCIS, she and Gibbs, who was then leading the MCRT team, had a strained relationship – a believable dynamic given Gibbs’ history with commitment. Diane initially explained their divorce by saying Gibbs never truly got over his first wife, Shannon. However, NCIS: Origins began hinting at a romance between Gibbs and Lala, which complicated that explanation.

Diane unexpectedly revealed that she ended their relationship because it was exhausting being with someone still hung up on his ex-wife. She believed Gibbs couldn’t get over Shannon, but he was secretly developing feelings for Lala. Complicating things further, Diane confessed that Gibbs reminded her of Shannon, and she hadn’t truly moved on from him either.

Diane Marrying Gibbs Sets Up Her Death In NCIS Season 12

Okay, so I just watched the latest NCIS: Origins episode, ‘End of the Road,’ and wow, they really threw a curveball! After a little bit of tension, Gibbs and Diane actually get married… in Vegas, no less! We all know it doesn’t last – it’s part of the show’s history – but this season is going to show us how things fall apart. It’s a bit heartbreaking knowing where it all leads, though, because this episode really sets up the events that will eventually lead to Diane’s death years down the line.

In season 12 of NCIS, episode 11, titled “Check,” Diane became a target for Sergei Mishnev, who was seeking revenge for Ari Answari’s death. She was killed in a way that mirrored Kate Todd’s murder, intended to deeply affect Gibbs. While her death was part of the larger storyline in 2015, it didn’t significantly impact Gibbs beyond his pursuit of the killer. Instead, the tragedy had a greater effect on Tobias Fornell, as it contributed to his daughter Emily’s drug use and ultimately, her death.

Although Diane is thrilled to marry Gibbs in NCIS: Origins, she’s unaware that this marriage, which is destined to fail, will ultimately lead to her demise.

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2025-12-10 16:08