Continuing its latest trend, NCIS: Origins’ worst Leroy Jethro Gibbs episode somehow crystallizes why the NCIS flagship series has been struggling with its storytelling. After its mandatory winter break, CBS’ premier procedural universe is back for new episodes, both for Alden Parker’s Major Case Response Team (MCRT) and Mike Franks’ Camp Pendleton squad. While the NCIS franchise has been in existence for more than a decade, this is the first time that the flagship’s supplementary show is a prequel, which makes a crossover tricky, considering the timeline. Still, both stories can be compared, and sometimes, doing so can be illuminating.

Since Mark Harmon exited in NCIS season 19, the flagship has been trying to reinvent itself. Unlike Gibbs, Parker is more open to his agents — something that long-time members like Tim McGee and Nick Torres felt uncomfortable at first. As its parent series moves on from its former poster character, NCIS: Origins’ premise demands Gibbs to be at its center. This was the case in the majority of its earlier run, but it has been a little different in 2025, with the prequel coming up with two consecutive episodes that relegate him to the sidelines.

NCIS: Origins Episode 12 Makes Kowlaski’s Backstory So Compelling (Despite Gibbs’ Minimal Involvement)
Kowalski Barely Has Any Ties With Gibbs

In NCIS: Origins episode 12, “Touchstone,” NIS’ custodian, Kowalski is focused on. The case starts when he walks into his office, which houses case files and evidence, ransacked. Being in the organization for 25 years, Kowalski is heartbroken, but it also triggers memories of him during his time in the war. For the next hour, NCIS: Origins mainly focuses on the character, with the rest investigating what really happened. Gibbs is partnered with Lala Dominguez, but in the bigger scheme of things, his existence in this episode is inconsequential. The story would still progress the way it does without him.

For a show that is supposed to be his origins, NCIS: Origins episode 12 is the worst Gibbs outing thus far. Despite that, it’s one of the more compelling storylines that the prequel has come up with. Kowalski’s outing follows a Franks-centric episode that also reveals flashbacks about his experiences during his time in the Vietnam War. However, at least then, Gibbs has direct ties with his boss — a relationship that endured for many years and lasted all the way through NCIS. However, Kowalski has no connection to him, at least for now.

NCIS Season 22 Doesn’t Have The Same Emotional Impact As Its Earlier Seasons
The MCRT’s Recent Cases Are Not As Intriguing

While NCIS: Origins lied about its premise, its main hook remains Gibbs and his story. The show has fleshed out some of the parts of the character’s past that were established but not fully fleshed out in the original show. However, beyond his story, it’s impressive that NCIS: Origins can come up with compelling arcs even for a relatively unknown character like Kowalski. Meanwhile, NCIS’ storytelling has become sillier, with “For Better or Worse” emphasizing that. In the outing, Jessica Knight and Nick Torres staging a fake wedding to take down a mob.

If NCIS: Origins can come up with a grounded and character-driven arc about an entirely new character, the flagship can do the same, especially with its history.

Granted that the flagship has always had hints of playfulness in its storytelling, mainly coming from its characters’ antics, it used to balance it with darker and even gutting stories. However, it’s difficult to do that in formulaic cases. Taking down a mob that doesn’t really have any distinction from other similar entities has become boring. Torres’ undercover adds a dimension to it, but ultimately, the Baltimore PD twist doesn’t amount to anything. If NCIS: Origins can come up with a grounded and character-driven arc about an entirely new character, the flagship can do the same, especially with its history.

How NCIS Season 22 Can Fix Its Storytelling Problem
NCIS Needs More Grounded Cases

Arguably, NCIS’ early years had more silly agents, with Tony DiNozzo teasing McGee or Gibbs literally slapping his people on their heads. However, there was always a sense that MCRT’s job included having to be exposed to the dark reality of the world. NCIS also used to tell harrowing stories about Marines in battle or those struggling after they’ve come home. Now, it feels like some of the cases they tackle are crimes that could have been dealt with by the police.

Moving forward, NCIS should go back to its storytelling roots that made it so famous. Deliver satisfying weekly cases while moving the characters’ respective arcs forward. Knight and Jimmy Palmer talking with no hints of being bothered by the awkwardness of their separation is off-putting, considering how big of a deal it was in the NCIS season 21 finale. Parker’s Lily case can also be focused on since it’s an intriguing mystery that could further endear MCRT’s new leader to viewers