Amid the complicated case in NCIS: Origins episode 6, “Incognito,” it also solves the franchise’s oldest plot hole with the introduction of a fan-favorite character. CBS’ latest expansion series from the NCIS universe tackles Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ first years in the agency. The cast is a mix of familiar faces, such as Mike Franks and Vera Strickland, as well as new ones, including Lala Dominguez and Randy Randolf. While it can’t bring in the majority of Gibbs’ MCRT agents because of where it sits in the timeline, it can explore the secret history of some of his oldest relationships.
True to its revelation about NCIS: Origins centering on Lala’s untold story, “Incognito” highlights her struggles maintaining her place as a capable agent in a man-dominated field. It also doesn’t help that Franks tends to be misogynistic — something that she and Vera are well aware of. The rest of the outing deals with fake suicide that prompts Lala and Gibbs to go undercover. As interesting and exciting as the actual case is, what flies under the radar is NCIS: Origins subtly introducing an original cast member from the flagship — Joe Spano’s Tobias Fornell.
NCIS: Origins Episode 5 Introduces Young Tobias Fornell
Young Fornell Looks Like Old Fornell
After Franks strong-arms Cliff Wheeler to reach out to the FBI about any intel on the tomahawks that are related to their case, they meet with FBI Detective Noah Oakley and discuss the case with his subordinate, Fornell. Played by Lucas Dixon in NCIS: Origins episode 6, he does look like Spano’s version from the flagship series, albeit less sure of himself and clearly still in the low ranks in the bureau. Unlike the older iteration of the character, however, young Fornell looks more relaxed. After telling Franks and Wheeler what he knows, he is eventually dismissed by his superior.
Fornell’s Prequel Debut Starts To Clarify His & Gibbs’ Friendship Timeline Plot Inconsistency
Both Fornell & Gibbs Were On The West Coast In 1991
While not part of Gibbs’ inaugural team, Spano’s Fornell debuted in “Yankee White” as the FBI officer fought Harmon’s character over jurisdiction. Their encounter aboard Air Force One was supposedly the first time they crossed paths, so it was confusing when it was later revealed that they had a history, as they were once both married to the same woman. NCIS leaned on the pair’s friendship subsequently, but it never clarified the truth about when they met. However, young Fornell’s introduction in NCIS: Origins episode 6 effectively sets up the idea that they knew each other before “Yankee White.”
After 22 years, NCIS has effectively written out its final original cast member who debuted in “Yankee White” by introducing their replacement.
Granted that Gibbs and Fornell have yet to encounter each other in NCIS: Origins, but it makes little to no sense for the prequel to bring in Dixon’s character this early in the project if it doesn’t have any plans for him. Fornell’s boss having a connection with Wheeler and Franks meeting the young version of Spano’s role in the flagship lays the groundwork for Gibbs to meet one of his best friends sooner rather than later. Because of this, it’s safe to say that it’s only a matter of time before NCIS‘ oldest plot hole is officially resolved.
