CBS Reinforces NCIS’s 23-Year Universal & Undisputed Truth

Published Oct 7, 2026, 12:17 PM EDT

Misty Layne started as an actor and sketch comedy writer before deciding to concentrate mainly on writing. Utilizing both her love of television and film and her behind-the-scenes knowledge, she began a website reviewing films in 2013, with a focus on horror and indie media. Eventually, she began writing about all things television and film for other sites as well. Misty shares a home with five cats, a ton of books, and a fairly impressive vinyl collection.
 

The NCIS: Origins season 3 premiere was packed with action and, honestly, had fans worrying about a few characters for part of it (poor Randy!). Plus, young Gibbs and Lala kind of got together, at least for a minute, which was exciting. However, one character had the audience on the edge of their seats the entire episode.

Older Gibbs has been retired in Alaska for the past five years, writing down his thoughts about his past and affair with Lala and living a quiet life. At the beginning of the NCIS: Origins premiere, though, Gibbs was shot out of nowhere by two masked intruders and appeared to be actually dead.

It was a shocking moment (at least for those who weren’t aware it had been confirmed he’d be in every episode), but with it, CBS reinforced one of the most undisputed truths in the NCIS universe. No matter his age or where he is, Gibbs is still a badass.

Mark Harmon's Return In NCIS: Origins Season 3 Shows How Badass Gibbs Still Is

Image courtesy of MovieStillsDb

When Older Gibbs was hit, it looked as if he’d been shot through the heart. Paired with one of the masked assassins coming over to check his pulse, then leaving, it seemed all but guaranteed that NCIS was ending an era by killing him off. However, the rest of the episode showed that wasn’t the case, as Randy was partially saved by a little “party trick” Young Gibbs taught him — a way to slow one’s breathing and heart rate so much a pulse can’t be found.

Obviously, that’s what Older Gibbs did, which was a nifty trick all its own. Then, after the intruders left, Gibbs got up and went inside to sew his own wound shut. While horrifying, it was a necessary evil, and he managed to do it without panicking once. After that, he loaded up some gear and set out to find some Russians (and an old friend), with only a sigh of: “Every time I think I’m out, they pull me back in.”

Automatically faking his own death instead of panicking that he’d been shot while out in the middle of nowhere was badass enough, but sewing up the bullet wound in his shoulder took it to the next level. As many fantastic characters as NCIS has had over its long run, Gibbs has always been the one who does what needs to be done in the coolest, most laid-back, '80s action-hero way.

Gibbs' Cool Demeanor Was NCIS's Original Appeal

CBS (via MovieStillsDb)

Back in the first couple of seasons of NCIS, Gibbs’ demeanor was ultra cool. Not only did he have that “gonna get this done in the most epic way” factor, but the show also leaned into making him a ladies' man. He was always going off with another beautiful woman at the end of episodes, or coming to work from a rendezvous with one. Gibbs was just an unflappable guy, and that was one of the series’ biggest draws.

He was also much more mysterious in the early days, with the younger agents and audience not knowing much about his life. Eventually, the story of his wife and child came out, and later everyone learned about his several other ex-wives, but that air of mystery added to Gibbs' coolness. He was Clint Eastwood and John McClane rolled into one.

However, the show then surrounded him with young agents who softened him up. Gibbs’ gruff affection for his team was a staple of the show and part of what made it successful. Being softer didn’t make him any less of a badass, but it turned him from someone incredibly cool and untouchable into a man whose rebel ways stayed more in the background. They came out when needed, but it wasn’t the same.

NCIS: Origins season 3 reminding viewers that Gibbs has been, and always will be, a badass who gets stuff done was a delight to behold. What he does next (like when he reconnects with Woody in the next episode) and whether he plays a bigger role onscreen this season could make it one of the show’s best yet (despite the reduced number of episodes).

Enjoy ScreenRant's primetime coverage? Click below to sign up for my weekly Network TV newsletter (make sure to check "Network TV" in your preferences) and get the inside scoop from actors and showrunners on your favorite series.

SIGN UP NOW!

• 

  Austin Stowell

  Leroy Jethro Gibbs

• 

  Kyle Schmid

  Special Agent Mike Franks