NCIS: Origins Season 2 Quietly Walks Back Mark Harmon’s Season 19 Exit

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A recent, thoughtful episode of NCIS: Origins revisits the circumstances surrounding Mark Harmon’s departure from NCIS in Season 19 and the storyline that followed his character, Leroy Jethro Gibbs. While Gibbs, arguably the most popular character in NCIS history, has been succeeded by Alden Parker (Gary Cole) in the original series, CBS introduced a prequel in 2024 exploring Gibbs’ early years.

In the seventh episode of NCIS: Origins Season 2, the storyline of Cliff Wheeler and Noah Oakley explores the theme of loneliness. As the Special Agent-in-Charge privately deals with his divorce, questions about who he is, and uncertainty about the future, it makes Harmon’s character re-evaluate his own path, effectively changing the conclusion of the original NCIS series from four years prior.

Mark Harmon’s Exit in NCIS Season 19 Explained

After 19 seasons as Special Agent-in-Charge Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS, Mark Harmon’s character retired in Season 19, Episode 4, “Great Wide Open.” The episode shows Gibbs and Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) working on a case in Alaska. Once the case is closed, Gibbs reveals he’s decided to stay in the Alaskan town of Naktok Bay, seeking a peaceful life.

The storyline aligned with Mark Harmon leaving the show after two decades, and it captured the same emotional weight as his character’s exit from the popular CBS drama. Although NCIS has continued for four more years, the show clearly had to adjust and find its footing after losing its long-time leader, as many stories previously centered on his character.

The show NCIS had seen team members leave before – Ziva David, Anthony DiNozzo, and Ellie Bishop all departed prior to Gibbs. But Mark Harmon’s character, Gibbs, was central to the show’s success and the entire NCIS franchise, making his departure feel more impactful than previous ones.

After leaving in “Great Wide Open,” Mark Harmon has made a few appearances as Gibbs. He returns in the premiere of NCIS: Origins as the older version of the character, introducing the prequel series and passing the role to Austin Stowell. This also confirms Gibbs is still living in Alaska, connecting to a crossover episode with the original series.

NCIS: Origins Hints at Canceling Mark Harmon’s NCIS Season 19 Story

In the first episode of NCIS: Origins, Mark Harmon, playing the original Gibbs, established that the retired agent was enjoying a peaceful life in Alaska. His second appearance on the show didn’t change that much; it simply showed that Leroy now has a dog as a companion.

For a long time, viewers of NCIS believed Gibbs would spend the rest of his life living as a solitary man. There was nothing to indicate he’d return to his job, and he appeared happy with his quiet life in a remote cabin. That was the intended direction for Mark Harmon’s character, and it seemed to be what he desired.

At the end of NCIS: Origins Season 2, Episode 7, Gibbs suggests he might be open to a relationship in the future. In the final moments of “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” he reflects, “I’ve gotten used to being alone. Or maybe I just tell myself that until I meet someone special to share life with.”

The story hints that Gibbs might have a visitor in Alaska soon, or that he’s considering ending his years of being alone. According to Season 19, this openness to company could mean someone might even move to Alaska and stay with him long-term.

Who Could Join Gibbs in Alaska in NCIS: Origins?

The earlier version of Gibbs in NCIS: Origins hinted he was reconsidering his isolated life in Alaska, which created a problem. The main NCIS show had already suggested in Season 19 that Gibbs was meant to remain alone. Previously, that indefinite solitude felt like a good, conclusive ending for the stressed-out SAC.

The show NCIS: Origins is cleverly using Mark Harmon’s appearances to shape how viewers see the character of Gibbs. The series reveals that Gibbs has been spending time reflecting on his early days as an NIS agent, particularly his experiences working with Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid). Episode 7 of Season 2 also shows that Gibbs is reconsidering his preference for solitude.

The prequel series, NCIS: Origins, might be hinting at a future relationship. Although there’s a connection between the characters Lala and Gibbs, their potential romance has been interrupted by the arrival of Diane, portrayed by Kathleen Kenny in Origins and Melinda McGraw in the original NCIS.

After over twenty years on CBS, NCIS has built a detailed backstory for the character Gibbs. The new series, Origins, needs to stay true to that established history to avoid contradicting what fans already know. The show will likely follow the original storyline, meaning viewers can anticipate that Gibbs will marry Diane, who later becomes his ex-wife in the original NCIS series.

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2025-12-04 06:09