In a major crossover event between NCIS and NCIS: Origins, actor Mark Harmon made a brief yet emotional return as Leroy Jethro Gibbs — but without the much-anticipated reunion with fan-favorite character Lala.
The episode, which aired Tuesday night on CBS, featured Harmon’s Gibbs reflecting on his past while the 1990s storyline delved into a haunting old case. Showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal later explained why the team decided to delay Gibbs’ on-screen reunion with Lala and discussed Muse Watson’s surprise cameo as Mike Franks.
The Crossover Event and Storyline
The crossover began with Gibbs in his Alaskan cabin, tinkering away and reflecting on his life. The hour transitioned to the Origins timeline, where a young Gibbs (played by Austin Stowell) investigated the murder of a sailor with his NIS team. The case — and its emotional consequences — later connected to the main NCIS timeline.
While fans expected Gibbs to reunite with Lala, North confirmed that the creative team intentionally held back that storyline. “It’s too soon to reveal what the end of her story is,” North said. Instead, Gibbs’ solitude — shared only with his loyal dog — symbolized his ongoing struggle between isolation and connection.
Quotes & Reactions from the Creators
Showrunner Gina Lucita Monreal described the decision as deeply tied to Gibbs’ character evolution:
“He’s a man who tries to be alone, but it never works. Having him out there with a dog was perfect — he’s not meant to be alone.”
As for the background track, Willie Nelson’s “Funny How Time Slips Away,” Monreal noted that it served as a thematic bridge between Gibbs’ past and present. Though fans speculated it hinted at Lala, the showrunners remained coy: “Never say never,” Monreal teased.
The highlight of the night came when Muse Watson, the original Mike Franks actor, appeared in a powerful morphing sequence, bridging the past and present. North confirmed Watson was physically on set for the scene, calling it “really special” and “a tribute to the character he created.”
What It Means for the NCIS Universe
Mark Harmon’s brief return confirms that Gibbs’ story remains central to NCIS: Origins and future NCIS crossovers. The episode served both as fan service and a narrative link between timelines, showing how early investigations shaped Gibbs’ moral compass.
Watson’s cameo also opens creative opportunities for exploring legacy characters in new formats — potentially blending archival storytelling with live appearances. The absence of a Lala reunion suggests the series is pacing emotional payoffs to sustain long-term viewer engagement.
What’s Next for NCIS: Origins and Gibbs
Showrunners hinted that fans “better be prepared to wait a while” before seeing any reunion or closure between Gibbs and Lala. Meanwhile, NCIS: Origins continues to build momentum with new character arcs, including the hinted involvement of a “baby Torres,” as teased by star Wilmer Valderrama.
CBS will air the next NCIS: Origins episode Tuesday at 8 PM ET, followed by NCIS at 9 PM ET.
