NCIS: Origins Episode 4, titled "All’s Not Lost," continues to explore the backstory of NCIS Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell) and finally gives fans a glimpse of the fateful day that dramatically changed his life.
In this recently released episode, Gibbs helps the team in investigating a case involving a girl who went missing after witnessing a murder.
His bond with this child evokes painful memories of his own tragic past—the loss of his daughter Kelly (Adele Abinante) and wife Shannon (Dani J. Scott) in a car crash.
The episode features a flashback to Gibbs' final days during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 when he received the devastating news of his family's death.
So, what does this mean for Gibbs’ backstory?
Co-Showrunner Teases More Flashbacks in NCIS: Origins
Gibbs has been overtaken by grief after being reminded of what happened to his wife and kid in Origins Episode 4.
However, this won’t be the only flashback fans will see on the show, as there will be more of it as the 13-episode series continues. In fact, it’s set to be a major part of the series.
“The flashbacks are going to continue,” co-showrunner Gina Lucita Monreal told TV Line. “Part of the DNA of the show is that we want to show how our characters got to the place where we meet them, so we’re really interested in showing these stories that reveal the ‘making of’ these characters.”
That said, viewers can expect Origins to go deeper into Gibbs’ backstory with more flashbacks that will give more unexpected and surprising details about his past and what makes him who he is in the original show.
“We know the tentpoles from OG show that are in Gibbs’ past,” she continued. “But I think we’ve packed some pretty good surprises as to how we get from one tentpole to the next.”
What Does these Flashbacks Mean for NCIS: Origins?
In addition to Gibbs, these flashbacks may also give a good look to some of the franchise’s iconic characters.
Sure, fans are already aware of some of the most defining moments in Gibbs’ life, but it looks like there’s more beneath the surface.
As Monreal promises “pretty good surprises,” the show may reveal more about Gibbs’ backstory which has yet to be uncovered.
By the looks of it, Origins aims to reveal who Gibbs truly is beneath the stern demeanor he has displayed since the beginning of NCIS, adding depth and details to a character that fans thought they already knew.
If this approach proves successful, it could pave the way for more origin stories for other major characters in the franchise, such as Sean Murray and David McCallum, among others.