NCIS : Origins Episode 10 wrapped up a crucial chapter in Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ journey, yet it leaves viewers with numerous unanswered questions for the prequel’s return. This episode delves into Gibbs’ beginnings in the NIS while also emphasizing the significant role of Ruth. Her previously untold story reveals how she inspired the jobless Marine to pursue a career in law enforcement, recognizing his deep commitment to safeguarding others.
NCIS : Origins Episode 10 concluded a pivotal segment of Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ story, but it also opens the door to many lingering questions as fans eagerly await the prequel’s return.
This episode explores Gibbs’ early days in the NIS, while shining a light on the important influence of Ruth. Her previously hidden narrative uncovers how she motivated the unemployed Marine to embark on a path in law enforcement, acknowledging his profound dedication to protecting others.
5 Mysteries NCIS : Origins Must Address Following Episode 10 In 2025
1 – What Makes Lala’s Story In NCIS : Origins So Compelling ?
In the debut episode of NCIS : Origins, Mark Harmon, portraying Old Gibbs, delivers a surprising monologue that shifts the focus of the prequel story. While NCIS promoted the Pendleton spin-off as a deep dive into Gibbs’ backstory, Harmon’s revelation that the narrative centers around Lala takes viewers in an unexpected direction. This twist not only redefines the storyline but also adds an intriguing layer to the series that fans didn’t see coming.
After 10 episodes, NCIS : Origins still hasn’t clarified why the spinoff focuses on Lala. While Gibbs may eventually reflect on the events due to their importance to his life and career, he has yet to elaborate on the shocking revelation introduced in the premiere.
It’s reasonable for the series to reserve major conclusions for the latter part of the season, but the prequel must not delay too long in revealing why Gibbs continues to remember Agent Dominguez after all these years.
2 – What Lies Behind Mary Jo’s Hidden Heartache ?
In Episode 4 of NCIS : Origins, Mary Jo opens her home to a young girl connected to their ongoing investigation. During this visit, Gibbs arrives to present her with a cherished Trotter Trio doll that belonged to his daughter, Kelly.
As Gibbs delivers the gift, Mary Jo senses the emotional weight of the case pressing on him and offers her support, reassuring him that he doesn’t have to face this burden alone. Could there be a hidden tragedy in Mary Jo’s past that shapes her compassion ?
Mary Jo is on the verge of sharing her connection to his tragedy when their discussion is abruptly interrupted. Unfortunately, she never has the chance to tell Gibbs her story.
NCIS : Origins should delve deeper into Mary Jo’s narrative, not only to continue this intriguing plot thread but also to enrich her character, as she is a valuable asset to the NCIS : Origins ensemble.
3 – Who Concealed NCIS Evidence Regarding Buggs ?
One of the most intriguing revelations from the NCIS : Origins midseason finale was the hint that someone within NIS is interfering with an investigation. While Gibbs is assembling shelves for the NIS storeroom, he and Mary Jo face challenges maneuvering through the disarray.
In a moment of clumsiness, Gibbs accidentally topples the shredder, causing its contents to scatter across the floor. Among the debris, he discovers a telling fragment of paper indicating that there were two snipers involved in Jamison “Bugs” Boyd’s case.
Bugs emerged as the unexpected marksman who eliminated his target, and recent developments indicate that NIS possesses evidence pointing to two shooters. The identity of the individual who concealed this information about Bugs’ case remains a mystery, as does their motivation.
Gibbs is expected to delve into his discoveries, and this twist could pave the way for one of the most thrilling and surprising narratives in the inaugural season of the prequel.
4 – What Are Gibbs’ Next Steps Following The Death of Pedro Hernandez ?
Gibbs has finally avenged the brutal murder of his family by taking the life of the man responsible, but the real story now lies in how he navigates the aftermath of this tragedy.
NCIS highlights that the killing of Pedro Hernandez and Gibbs’ subsequent decision to join NIS are pivotal moments in his life following the devastating loss of his wife and daughter. The midseason finale of NCIS : Origins delves deeply into these critical events, setting the stage for Gibbs’ journey of healing and transformation.
In Episode 10 of NCIS : Origins, we learn that following his official discharge from the military, Gibbs undergoes NIS training and becomes a member of Mike Franks’ team. He confronts his past by confessing his crime to Ruth and seeks redemption with Lala in the present.
With this chapter of his life behind him, NCIS : Origins showcases Gibbs’ journey to becoming a confident NIS agent, illustrating how he rebuilds his life after addressing the traumatic events that were previously explored in NCIS.
5 – Could Lala & Gibbs Find Romance In NCIS : Origins ?
As we anticipate the return of the Leroy Jethro prequel, a compelling question arises : Will the agent choose to defy one of Gibbs’ established rules from NCIS and pursue a romantic relationship with Lala ?
The narration from the older Gibbs highlights Lala’s significance during his time at Camp Pendleton. In the latest episodes, their bond has been strengthening, especially as the truth about Pedro Hernandez’s fate comes to light.
Gibbs and Lala may not have united just yet, but there’s still ample opportunity as the season progresses. Their relationship’s evolution transcends mere romance; it could be that Lala occupies a unique space in Gibbs’ heart.
This connection might stem from a past failure to protect her, instilling a sense of responsibility in him that lingers for years to come.
NCIS : Origins Must Tackle This Two-Decade-Old Gibbs Enigma
Leroy Gibbs adheres to a personal code of ethics in NCIS, shaped by experiences over the years. His set of rules, which can be traced back to the tragic loss of his first wife, Shannon Gibbs, in a car accident, reflects his journey through grief and resilience. While the main series offers glimpses into these guiding principles, the prequel, NCIS : Origins, delves deeper into the origins of his rules.
The series reveals that Gibbs maintained a collection of rules written on slips of paper stored in a tin box. However, since the main show attributes these rules to 1991, it’s clear that many of them were not established at that time.
Although NCIS : Origins provides some insight into the origins of Gibbs’ rules, it leaves the more personal aspects and the reasons behind their creation largely unexplored. Each rule carries its own narrative, making the motivation behind Gibbs’ decision to document them a central focus of the show.
NCIS : Origins Delves Into The Foundational Principles That Shaped The Rules We Know Today
In the prequel series, we witness Gibbs defying one of his fundamental principles by delving into his past. Set just months after the tragic murder of his first wife and child, Gibbs is on a quest to rebuild his shattered life. He joins the NIS, tackling local crimes while grappling with his profound grief.
In the episode Bend, Don’t Break, we see Gibbs stepping into the role of a rogue agent as Franks attempts to keep him off the field. With Gibbs’ father, Jackson, visiting, he expresses concern for his son’s well-being and urges Franks to sideline Gibbs to prevent any reckless actions.
This chain of events leads Gibbs to violate one of his fundamental principles— Rule 29 : Learn to obey before you command.
The exact number of rules in Gibbs’ box during that time remains somewhat ambiguous, but the main series has since expanded this to include Rule 91. The episode titled Bend, Don’t Break also introduces us to Rule 14 : Bend the line, don’t break it.
Throughout this episode, Gibbs demonstrates his tendency to bend the rules. He defies Franks’ orders and pushes boundaries to protect his own position, which constitutes bending the rules rather than outright breaking them. When faced with insufficient evidence to detain a suspect, Gibbs halts the elevator and overrides the “stop” button. This action is a clear example of bending the rules, allowing his team the time they need to gather evidence.
Upon uncovering the truth of the case, Franks also chooses to bend the rules to ensure that those in need receive assistance. In this sense, Mike Franks serves as the catalyst for Rule 14. Given the prevalence of rules that pertain to interrogation and crime scenes, it’s reasonable to infer that many of these guidelines may have originated from Gibbs’ experiences while working under Franks at the NIS prior to his tenure in the official crime unit, NCIS.
NCIS : Origins Still Needs To Clarify Certain Aspects
NCIS : Origins has delved into the backstory of Gibbs’ professional rules, yet it leaves his more personal guidelines unexplored. Early in the prequel series, Gibbs hints at a narrative he rarely shares, particularly focusing on “her,” referring to Lala Dominguez (Mariel Molino), who plays a pivotal role in the tale.
Lala, both Gibbs’ colleague and potential love interest, navigates the complexities of being a female agent in the male-dominated landscape of the 1980s. Despite her dedication, her contributions often go unnoticed. Arriving first at crime scenes does not earn her the respect she deserves from her peers.
Additionally, when Gibbs’ psych evaluation raises doubts about his competence, Lala’s inquiries are misinterpreted as mere workplace distractions. Her journey adds depth to Gibbs’ narrative, making his rules all the more compelling.
The Rule 12 in Gibbs’ guide is to never date a coworker. Many of his rules stem from tough life experiences, and this particular one may have a connection to Lala. Considering Gibbs was married when he first established these guidelines, it’s likely this rule emerged later in his life.
In an interview with US Weekly, Austin Stowell, who plays young Gibbs, hinted that Lala could be the inspiration behind this rule. Their chemistry on the show is palpable, yet with Gibbs having recently lost his wife and child, any shift from a strictly professional relationship to a personal one could lead to chaos and heartache.
Lala is already facing challenges at work, with her contributions going unrecognized and her ideas dismissed. If a romantic relationship were to develop between them, the fallout could be disastrous. However, it might also serve as a valuable lesson that justifies its place on the list.
Gibbs has a set of deeply personal guidelines, including Rule 45 : Clean up your own mess, and Rule 91 : When you choose to walk away, don’t look back.
However, he breaks this principle when he reflects on his early days as a probie in the NIS before joining NCIS. Throughout his life, Gibbs has experienced multiple marriages and tackled numerous cases. Letting go of the past is crucial for him to overcome the tragedies he has faced, including the heartbreaking loss of his wife and child.
As an agent in a crime-focused team, he frequently confronts loss and grief, but the story that truly embodies this rule is undoubtedly the most poignant. NCIS : Origins must delve into the defining moment in Gibbs’ life that propels him closer to the man he is destined to become.
Numerous Guidelines Are Absent
Every rule has a story that shapes it. NCIS : Origins masterfully uncovers these narratives, delivering emotional punches that no NCIS enthusiast should overlook. One poignant example is Gibbs’ Rule 28 – “When you need help, ask,” which is steeped in a powerful backstory.
Initially, when Gibbs joins NIS, he struggles to express his feelings and keeps his struggles bottled up, even hanging up on calls that inquire about his well-being. He dismisses Franks’ offers of support and the sensitivity of his teammates. It is during this challenging time that Rule 28 emerges, inspired by Franks himself.
In a case involving a young girl named Lala, Franks fears it may be too much for Gibbs, yet he proves to be the key to cracking the case. Gibbs helps the little girl reconstruct the killer’s image. When emotions run high, he respectfully asks Franks for some space, clarifying that he is indeed “asking” for help. Despite the case’s difficulties, Gibbs discovers a renewed sense of purpose through this experience.
In addition to the established guidelines, there remains a significant number of gaps in Gibbs’ codes of conduct. To date, fans have only been introduced to 37 of the 91 rules. Notably, the box Gibbs attempted to discard in the prequel contained fewer than 91 pieces of paper, indicating that many more rules are yet to be revealed as the series progresses.
Currently, over half of these rules remain undisclosed, suggesting that NCIS : Origins has an exciting journey ahead to uncover the complete set of guidelines.