NCIS: Origins Episode 17 Explains Gibbs’ Most Harmful Decision

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Heed this notice! Spoiler ahead: The NCIS: Origins episode 17 delves into one of Gibbs’ most regrettable choices from the NCIS series. The NCIS spin-off has primarily focused on Gibbs’ life following a tragic event that claimed his wife and daughter. It’s important to note that the show has made efforts to adhere to the NCIS canon, which makes Gibbs’ actions in this prequel even more striking given the added context about why Gibbs behaves as he does in the main series.

A striking difference between Mark Harmon’s Gibbs on NCIS and Austin Stowell’s Gibbs on NCIS: Origins lies in their distinct personalities. In comparison, Stowell’s portrayal of Gibbs appears more tender and exposed, which can be attributed to his recent heartbreaks. However, there is another factor at play as well. This aspect was unveiled in episode 17 of NCIS: Origins, shedding light on why the original Gibbs seemed so guarded in the main series.

Gibbs’ Veteran Support Leader Betrays Him In NCIS: Origins Episode 17

The Veteran Support Leader Is Sandman

In the seventeenth episode of NCIS: Origins, a long-standing plotline reached its peak, providing a satisfying resolution for the prequel. However, this revelation caused substantial harm to character Gibbs. The initial case in the premiere of NCIS: Origins revolved around a serial killer known as Sandman. Although a man called Bugs admitted to the murders, it wasn’t until episode 17 that we discovered the true identity of Sandman – he was none other than Luke Fletcher, a long-time leader in Gibbs’ support group.

The stunning revelation that Sandman was someone familiar to Gibbs made an already unpleasant situation worse, given that it was Fletcher who had initially invited Gibbs to join the support group for veterans. Moreover, it turned out that Fletcher had installed listening devices in the NCIS office as well. When Gibbs confronted Fletcher in episode 17, Fletcher acknowledged his role and confessed, but not without expressing concern for Gibbs’ well-being too. Fletcher’s actions concerning the Sandman case marked a profound betrayal towards Gibbs, as he felt manipulated.

The betrayal from Fletcher was made all the more painful because it interfered with Gibbs’ personal emotional journey. In episode 15 of NCIS: Origins, it became clear that Gibbs wasn’t receiving support from his group as he hadn’t been open about his difficulties. However, in episode 16, we saw Gibbs taking a more active role within the group. Unfortunately, now that Fletcher has revealed his deceitful intentions, the progress that Gibbs had made is likely irreparable.

Gibbs’ NIS Experience Made It Difficult For Him To Trust Anyone, Including Therapists

Gibbs Didn’t Know Who To Believe Anymore

In later seasons of NCIS, Gibbs avoided therapy due to the fact that he could no longer trust therapists, a consequence of Fletcher’s deception as Sandman. The bond between Fletcher and Gibbs was so deep that Gibbs found it difficult to open up to others, even within their group. Apart from flashbacks showing Frank helping Gibbs through a tough period after his family’s death, Gibbs rarely displayed vulnerability with anyone else. This changed when he began participating in the support group. With Fletcher’s betrayal, all the emotional progress that Gibbs had made was shattered.

Given his past experiences with NIS, it wasn’t surprising that Gibbs hesitated to seek therapy right away. Opening up and being vulnerable is challenging for him, and the fear of information misuse or exploitation was a strong deterrent. In fact, it took Gibbs more than two decades before he felt ready to return to therapy, but even then, his sessions were sporadic and never delved as deeply as he required for emotional healing and coping with loss.

How Being In Therapy Could Have Helped Gibbs In The Flagship

Gibbs Could Have Learned To Open Up

In a different context, one might say: Despite being a highly accomplished agent, Gibbs struggled with his personal life, marked by numerous setbacks and unsuccessful relationships. Attending therapy might have been beneficial for him, enabling him to grow into a more content individual. He was socially adept and involved in multiple relationships, yet these connections rarely endured. This pattern could suggest Gibbs’ challenges with commitment, stemming from the recurring theme of people leaving him. Instead of internalizing these issues, it might have been advantageous for him to seek therapy as a means to cope with and resolve them healthily.

It’s possible that therapy like Gibbs’ could have aided him in accepting and coping with the unfortunate events of his life. Throughout his life, he has been exposed to numerous deaths of loved ones, starting from his youth and intensifying during his tenure at NIS and later NCIS. Even in NCIS: Origins, Mark Harmon’s Gibbs appears isolated while telling the story. Despite seeming serene, it may be that he could have found this peace much earlier if he had focused on taking care of his mental health instead of suppressing it.

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2025-04-24 02:57