Fans of “NCIS” are some of the toughest TV viewers. We’ve seen a lot of abuse over the series’ impressive two-decade run, and the latest comes in the form of another spin-off.
So is NCIS: Origins an inspired idea or an overused trope? We are currently crossing this line.
While “NCIS” spinoffs have been more successful than other series, the series is not immune to failure.
As much as we love the NCIS universe, when will we decide we’ve had enough of spin-offs and franchise expansions? No matter when that time is, it won’t be 2024.
Following the sad news that NCIS: Hawaii has been canceled at the last minute, NCIS fans will be treated to two new spinoffs, NCIS: Tony and Ziva ( 2025) and “NCIS: Origins,” joining CBS’ fall slate with “NCIS” Season 22.
‘NCIS: Origins’: Inspired creativity or overused trope?
When news first broke that another NCIS spinoff was coming, the mental anguish began. We’ve seen multiple attempts at the NCIS universe, with varying degrees of success.
NCIS has a footprint across the country, from Virginia to Los Angeles and from Louisiana to Hawaii. It even went international with an agent in Australia. Hey, this approach works for FBI: International.
Of the spin-off series, the only one still airing is NCIS: Cindy , which is back for a second season. But Syndey was never intended for American audiences.
So, does this really count?
After several failed attempts, the writers decided to take a new approach to the NCIS spinoff, focusing less on the setting and more on the characters.
The original CSI series remains popular more than two decades later.
This is largely due to the ongoing legacy of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Anthony DeNizzo, and Ziva David.
Even though they have moved on with their lives away from NCIS, fans still remember them fondly.
So much so that two upcoming NCIS spinoffs feature three of our favorite former agents.
‘NCIS: Origins’ is an inspiring idea
From the looks of it, NCIS: Origins may be answering our prayers, following the departure of Gibbs (Mark Harmon) from the original NCIS series after 19 seasons.
Gibbs is back! But when he leaves, we don’t remember him.
NCIS: Origins is traveling back in time. By 1991.
Origins will not only show us how Gibbs became the cold, distant leader we all miss, but it will also take us back to the early days of the NCIS agency.
We’ll see where this all begins.
Jethro is recovering from the trauma of Desert Storm and the loss of his wife and children.
While Gibbs was put together and emotionally closed off during his Silver Fox days, Origins promises to give us a more raw, less controlled (and younger) Jethro. Another big change is the pacing.
“Origins” will be more action-packed and character-focused, giving us an insight into the personal side of Gibb’s life.
The latest promo for NCIS: Origins teases viewers like me who consider ourselves Gibbs experts, promising a side of Gibbs we’ve never seen before.
Holy NCIS!
We’ll also become more familiar with the important figures who influenced Gibbs’ life as a rookie agent and grieving soldier.
Fans will get a deeper look into Leroy’s glory days, from Gibbs’ dad to Gibbs’ mentor Mike Franks and more.
NCIS: Origins is another overused trope
While the previews for NCIS: Origins piqued my interest, I was also annoyed by the news of another spinoff.
In a previous article, I raised the same complaint about Jared Padalecki’s new role in Fire Country, suggesting that FC would franchise Fire Country: Surfside. Sheriff Nation will launch in 2025.
People like me may be in the minority, but sometimes, as time goes on, it’s best for a show to phase out to make way for new blood. But that doesn’t mean there should be any relationship between old and new.
Imitation may be the highest form of flattery, but throwing out spin-offs of a successful show is a step too far and a bit lazy.
Have we really seen it all done to the point where we have to reflect on the same shows in new ways?
Whether it’s a reboot of a show that ended decades ago – I could list them all, but you’d be tired of reading this article before I finish. I’m excited about Matlock, though. Or modernize an older series to make it more inclusive and PC.
Most of the shows on our TV slate seem to fall into one of these two categories – reboots or spin-offs.
We rarely see original ideas; if we did, they wouldn’t live long.
Given that every previous NCIS spin-off attempt was less than successful, these two new attempts feel like a last-ditch effort to keep the franchise alive amid changing circumstances.
- NCIS: Los Angeles – 2009-2023 (14 seasons)
- NCIS: New Orleans – 2014-2021 (7 seasons)
- NCIS: Hawaii – 2021-2024 (3 seasons)
- “NCIS: Sydney” – 2023 to present (season 2 ends in fall 2024)
- NCIS: Origins – 2024- (1 Season) <– we are here
- NCIS: Tony & Ziva – 2025 (TBD)
But what should we expect from a spinoff that’s been successful for two decades? Who knew NCIS was a spin-off of the 90s series JAG?
So, after seeing some of the failures of creating spin-offs based on locations, it feels like the writers are desperate to get the last two seconds of Hail Mary done.
As much as we love the show’s new faces, die-hard fans are still mourning the loss of our favorite agents. So what better way to rejuvenate a fledgling show than to give fans what they want?
The Solution is an entire series about everyone’s favorite fearless leader before he became the boss. Fun, but not a complete replacement for Mark Harmon.
While we won’t see Harmon on screen in his most famous role, he will be voicing the show as a narrator. Austin Stowell will play young Gibbs, who begins his career as a NIS agent.
Is NCIS: Origins an inspired idea or a metaphor taken too far?
While NCIS: Origins takes a new approach to the franchise and serves as a prequel to the original series, it’s still a spin-off from the original series.
Is this premise enough to make it another hit series?
Or, is this another wasted attempt for the NCIS series to compete with other ongoing series?
Both “Law & Order” and “FBI” have successfully launched multiple series under their own banners, although this trend started years ago.
These days, it seems like most series start with the intention of the franchise moving into the next big universe.
What do you think of the new NCIS: Origins series? Do you think this is a good way to approach another spin-off?
Or are you on the freewheeling train and think it’s time to stop trying to develop the universe and build a new empire entirely?
Leave your thoughts in the comments! We love talking to our readers. Are you on our awesome email list and following us on social media? You should do this or you’re missing out!
