NCIS & NCIS: Origins Crossover – Harmon’s Nostalgia-Laced Return Is Good (But Could Have Been Better)

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The recent crossover event between NCIS and NCIS: Origins presented an interesting case that stretched across many years, but it was just okay overall. While not a perfect TV special, a few changes could have improved it. Crossovers aren’t new to the NCIS universe – many of its earlier spin-offs, like NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans, were first introduced through this type of storytelling.

Crossovers, where characters from different shows appear together, are becoming less common, particularly because the storylines of current TV series don’t easily lend themselves to shared narratives. Despite this, CBS is managing to create a crossover event between the 23rd season of NCIS and the 2nd season of NCIS: Origins, even though the shows take place at different times.

This case is among the first and most debated ones Gibbs worked on with Franks’ team, dating back thirty years. When new evidence surfaces, the NCIS team reopens the investigation and finally solves it. The two-hour episode is a must-see for NCIS viewers, and it also features an update on Gibbs’ life in Alaska and how Mark Harmon is doing.

NCIS Season 23 & NCIS: Origins Season 2 Features A Compelling Mystery With Nostalgia-Laced Easter Eggs

CBS

The cases of “Funny How Time Slips Away” and “Now and Then” stand out for their clever storytelling, both in how the story unfolds and how it looks. They center around a murder in a small town where the wrong person was convicted. Gibbs’ team suspected this was true, but couldn’t prove it because the man who took the blame refused to reveal the real reason – he was protecting his pregnant mistress. This case stayed with both Gibbs and his director for years, and it wasn’t until Parker’s team reopened it that justice was finally served, three decades later.

While seeing Mark Harmon reprise his role as Gibbs is a treat, it’s only one of many nods to the NCIS universe woven into this crossover event. The return of Roma Maffia is a smart move, especially since Diany Rodriguez’s version of Vera hasn’t been featured much in NCIS: Origins. Seeing Vera and McGee reconnect is a nostalgic moment, reminding viewers of her past work with Gibbs’ MCRT team back in season 11 of NCIS. The mentions of DiNozzo and Ziva are also welcome additions. But what really stands out is Vera’s short, heartfelt conversation with McGee, where she tells him how proud Gibbs would be – a particularly touching moment given McGee’s current struggles in NCIS.

However, Maffia isn’t the only actor returning from the original NCIS. NCIS: Origins brings back Muse Watson as Mike Franks, a character from the show’s earlier seasons, in a scene featuring an unfairly convicted sheriff. Just as the prequel uses visual effects to blend Mark Harmon with Austin Stowell, young Franks, played by Kyle Schmid, eventually transforms into Watson’s portrayal of the character. It’s a clever effect, though it’s done subtly. It takes a moment to notice Watson, but once you do, the scene really stands out in the crossover.

Some Tweaks Could’ve Made The Very First NCIS & Origins Crossover More Satisfying

The recent crossover event between NCIS season 23 and NCIS: Origins season 2, while generally well-executed and full of nods to the show’s history for dedicated fans, does have some weaknesses. Specifically, the story feels a little illogical because the two shows are set on different sides of the country. The quick transitions between California and Washington D.C. for characters like Knight and Torres also make the timeline confusing.

This special episode also marks the Navy’s 250th anniversary, a topic central to the NCIS series. It’s surprising, then, that the compelling story of Serenity doesn’t really connect to this milestone. NCIS has often featured strong stories about Navy veterans and active service members, demonstrating their ability to tell those important narratives. The special could have been more impactful if the plot had directly honored the Navy community and their sacrifices.

Perhaps the biggest disappointment in the planned 2025 NCIS crossover is the lack of a reunion between Robert Wagner (as Franks) and Mark Harmon (as Gibbs). Since Wagner was already filming for NCIS: Origins, it would have been a feasible moment. Following Franks’ death 14 years ago, the show cleverly kept his character alive through flashbacks and, more interestingly, as a hallucination offering guidance to Gibbs during difficult times. Seeing Harmon interact with Wagner in his Alaskan cabin would have powerfully highlighted the deep connection between their characters.

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2025-11-12 19:48