NCIS: Origins has taken fans on a gripping journey into the past—one that doesn’t just rehash old stories, but reimagines how one of television’s most legendary characters became the man we know today. The series has managed to honor Mark Harmon’s legacy while carving out a bold new path for NCIS, all thanks to a thoughtful script, strong ensemble cast, and a powerful lead performance from Austin Stowell as the young Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
As the prequel series charges toward the final stretch of its debut season, fans are eagerly awaiting what comes next—especially after the suspenseful turns of recent episodes. Episode 17, titled “Darlin’, Don’t Refrain,” is scheduled to air Monday, April 21, 2025, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, with next-day streaming available on Paramount+.
A Tense Case Hits Home for the Team
The stakes have never been higher. In Episode 16, titled “Bugs,” Gibbs and his team uncovered a shocking truth: the sniper they believed responsible for a recent killing spree wasn’t the culprit after all. That revelation sent shockwaves through the office, and the investigation is now more complicated—and personal—than ever. The case, dubbed the “Sandman Sniper,” has grown into something far more dangerous, and in Episode 17, the team turns to the FBI for help, forming a tense alliance as the pressure builds.
Agent Mike Franks (played with gravitas by Kyle Schmid) continues to be a commanding presence, but even he can feel the strain of a case that won’t break. Meanwhile, Wheeler (Diany Rodriguez) faces her own mounting struggles, both on the job and behind closed doors, giving viewers a deeper look into her character’s emotional layers.
While each team member has a role to play, all eyes remain on Gibbs—the rookie with a storm brewing beneath the surface.
Austin Stowell Steps Into the Spotlight
For NCIS fans who spent two decades watching Mark Harmon’s stoic, emotionally complex portrayal of Gibbs, stepping into those boots is no small feat. But Austin Stowell has embraced the challenge with quiet intensity and surprising vulnerability, showing us the formative cracks and convictions of a character we thought we already knew.
In a recent interview, Stowell revealed that the role has hit close to home. Much like Gibbs, Stowell has also lost his father, and it’s that shared grief and emotional core that fuels his performance.
“Playing Gibbs is making me want to be a better human being,” Stowell said. “We know who Gibbs becomes—this warmhearted, loyal but justified man, and someone who has made tons of mistakes.”
Those emotional scars are already starting to shape the younger Gibbs we see on screen: he’s idealistic, sharp, and determined, but haunted by the recent loss of his own wife Shannon and daughter Kelly. NCIS viewers will remember that this tragedy is a cornerstone of Gibbs’s backstory, and Origins has been slowly peeling back the layers of his pain, showing how grief shaped his moral compass, his rules, and his famously guarded heart.
More Than a Prequel — A Deep Character Study
Where many prequels stumble by leaning too heavily on fan nostalgia, NCIS: Origins succeeds by adding depth. It isn’t just about catching killers or revisiting old characters—it’s about watching Gibbs become Gibbs.
Set in the early 1990s, the show offers a fascinating look at the Naval Investigative Service before it officially became NCIS. The technology is dated, the politics are different, and the emotional stakes feel raw and unpolished. It’s a time of transformation, not just for the agency, but for the young agents within it.
With Mark Harmon serving as executive producer and narrating the series, there’s an undeniable connective tissue to the original series. It’s a passing of the torch that feels earned and intentional, not just a gimmick.
And while Harmon isn’t a weekly onscreen presence, his voice—quite literally—guides the story, framing each episode like a memory being brought back into focus. For longtime fans, it’s a gift. For new viewers, it’s an entry point to understanding one of TV’s most compelling characters.
What Else to Expect in Episode 17
Though CBS is keeping some plot details under wraps, the official synopsis reveals that the stakes continue to escalate as Gibbs and the FBI work together to follow new leads in the Sandman case. The working relationship between the agencies is expected to be tense, possibly foreshadowing some of the rivalries we’ve seen in later NCIS seasons.
Meanwhile, personal relationships continue to evolve within the team. Viewers have seen hints of deeper connections forming—between Wheeler and Franks, for instance—and Episode 17 promises to expand on those dynamics while also deepening the emotional undercurrent of the main case.
With only a few episodes remaining in the season, fans should expect more twists, more tension, and perhaps the first glimpses of the man Gibbs will ultimately become.
Episode 17 of NCIS: Origins premieres Monday, April 21 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, with streaming available Tuesday on Paramount+.
Stay tuned as the story of Leroy Jethro Gibbs continues to unfold—one case, one scar, and one unbreakable rule at a time.
