Spoiler Alert for NCIS: Origins season 1, episode 4, "All's Not Lost"While NCIS: Origins is meant to feature the early beginnings of Austin Stowell's Leroy Jethro Gibbs, it also has an important role for Mark Harmon's Gibbs, which causes a significant problem. NCIS: Origins is set in 1991, shortly after Gibbs lost his first wife and daughter, and their death has played a significant role in shaping Gibbs' mental state and personality through the NCIS spinoff. Despite the setting, Harmon also appears briefly throughout the show as he adds emotional context to heavy scenes.
While Mark Harmon's reappearance in the NCIS franchise is welcomed after his exit in NCIS season 19, his appearance in NCIS: Origins often overshadows Stowell's Gibbs. As a result, what is meant to act as supporting context instead turns into a reliance on Harmon's Gibbs. Gibbs' reveal in NCIS: Origins episode 4 only emphasized the show's dependence on Harmon, which took away from the tragic confession.
Mark Harmon's Narration In NCIS: Origins Is Sadder Than Anything In Episode 4
Gibbs Finally Revealed The Extent Of His Pain
NCIS: Origins episode 4 revealed that Gibbs no longer felt that he had anything left to live for following the death of Shannon and Kelly. The situation was made worse when it was shown that Gibbs found out about their murders through a correspondence letter while he was on deployment. The heavy and tragic scene wrapped up Shannon and Kelly's story and revealed more about Gibbs' mental state than ever before.
Austin Stowell brilliantly portrayed grief, loss, and hopelessness in the tense scene. However, the weight of the scene rested on Mark Harmon's narration. While both actors emphasized the pain of the moment, it was the combination of Stowell's acting and Harmon's narration that made the scene so harrowing. Old Gibbs' thoughts added a level of emotional depth that strengthened the scene by bridging together the NCIS Gibbs with the NCIS: Origins Gibbs.
Stowell Is Good In NCIS: Origins, But Harmon Remains Synonymous With Gibbs
Stowell And Harmon Play Vastly Different Versions Of Gibbs
Austin Stowell has done a great job of portraying young Leroy Gibbs through NCIS: Origins, but there is a catch. He is associated with young Gibbs, whereas Harmon is synonymous with Gibbs. The issue is that Harmon has played Gibbs for almost 20 years in NCIS, which can make it difficult to see him as anything else. It also means that it can be difficult to see Gibbs as being played by anyone else.
Gradually, Stowell will also become strongly associated and maybe even synonymous with the character, but as Harmon has over 20 years of experience, it will take time for Austin to get there. This is also part of why Harmon's appearance in NCIS: Origins is causing a problem. Rather than letting Stowell shine on his own, Harmon is unintentionally overshadowing Stowell's performance as a result of his iconic history in portraying Gibbs.
Another problem is that Harmon and Stowell play such different versions of Gibbs that it can be hard to adapt to seeing Stowell play Gibbs when his character is struggling so much emotionally. Gibbs in NCIS is stone-cold and would never be seen offering a little girl a doll or sharing his struggles with a new colleague. The version of Gibbs in NCIS: Origins is a welcome change and offers more insight into Gibbs' character than ever before, but it is different. Mark Harmon's narration only overshadows Stowell's complex character.
How NCIS: Origins Can Fix Its Mark Harmon Problem
Harmon Can Appear Briefly As Needed
The solution to NCIS: Origins' Harmon problem is to limit Mark Harmon's appearances strategically, and this solution has already started. In episodes 1 and 2, Harmon had a much larger role than he did in episode 4. He appeared as a narrator in the background of scenes, but he also appeared physically in scenes that showed him sitting around a campfire in the present day. However, in episode 4, Harmon only appeared as a narrator, and only briefly in the beginning and end of the episode.
In order to reduce the risk that Harmon will overshadow Austin Stowell's performance, NCIS: Origins needs to be picky about when they insert a narration by Harmon. In the NCIS: Origins premiere, Harmon's appearance gave an air of mystery to the episode, but his appearances are less needed as time goes on. Stowell already has a strong foundation playing Gibbs, so Harmon's narration should only be added if the scene really calls for it. Harmon's addition to the worst moment of Gibbs' life in episode 4 gave the scene an emotional twist, but this should be used sparingly in the future.
