Ducky’s comeback to the franchise enables CBS to skillfully maintain the one NCIS plot hole that is completely justifiable. The NCIS franchise is making a strong return on Tuesday evenings following CBS’s scheduling changes. Although the main show continues to be the main attraction for audiences due to it’s long-standing presence, NCIS – Origins is remarkably succeeding in carving out it’s place as an essential procedural to watch during the 2025-2026 network television season.
CBS has confirmed that NCIS – Origins is more than just the tale of Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Over the course of the series, every member of Mike Franks’ team has had their moment in the limelight.
Just when it seems that Gibbs is becoming a familiar face rather than the main character, NCIS – Origins Season 2, Episode 3 delves into one of the most significant relationships in his life.
NCIS – Origins Affirms That Ducky & Gibbs Encountered Each Other Prior To 1991
This approach requires the prequel to revisit specific moments in NCIS’ history that may not be entirely accurate concerning the timeline. Ducky’s arrival at Camp Pendleton in 1992 naturally sparks conversations about the exact timing of his first meeting with Gibbs.
This meeting was initially referenced in the two-part finale of NCIS Season 3, titled Hiatus, during which Gibbs experienced memory loss after 1991. To highlight the severity of the situation, it was made clear that he did not recognize Ducky — his oldest friend on the show.
It was commonly believed that Gibbs and Ducky first encountered each other when they began their collaboration in the ’90s. To provide some background, David McCallum’s cherished character was a member of Gibbs’ initial JAG team.
However, this notion was disproven in NCIS Season 18, Episode 2, titled Everything Starts Somewhere, which disclosed that the duo actually met for the first time in the ’80s. The CBS staple did not clarify this misunderstanding until NCIS – Origins Season 2, Episode 3.
In The Edge, Ducky is dispatched to Camp Pendleton as the liaison for Navy Yard. His task is to evaluate whether the office would gain from having a dedicated ME. Unfortunately for him, Franks and the other higher-ups are doubtful about his real intentions.
NCIS – Origins Season 2, Episode 3 highlights the reunion of Gibbs and Ducky, occurring years after their encounter with the Zucado family, which effectively emphasizes the plot inconsistency from Hiatus.