Summary
Making a successful and popular prequel TV series is no small feat. Fans wonder if the new show can capture the same tone and spirit that made the original work, and sometimes, new characters pale in comparison to the originals whom fans got to know across many seasons. TheNCISprequelNCIS: Originspremiered in October 2024 and viewers were immediately curiousif Mark Harmon would play Leroy Gibbs again. AlthoughHarmon leftNCISin season 19, he narrates the prequel and also made a fun but brief appearance in the pilot episode.
NCIS: Originsseason 1 has been just as adventure-packed and moving as the original CBS series that is still going strong. So,when doesNCIS: Originsseason 1, episode 17 come out, and where can fans watch it?
How To Watch NCIS: Origins Season 1, Episode 17
NCIS: Originsseason 1, episode 17, “Darlin', Don’t Refrain” willair on Monday, April 21st, 2025 on CBS 10 p.m. E.T.The episode will also be available tostream on Paramount+ the following day, so fans can watch it on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025.NCISseason 22 is also streamingon Paramount+ the day after each new episode airs.
The official episode description reads:
“After the shocking developments in the Sandman case, the team works with the FBI to investigate further; while Wheeler struggles to hold onto his job, his family reaches a crisis point.”
NCIS: Originsseason 1, episode 17 picks up from episode 16, “Bugs,” which starts with a surprising scene whenBugs (Jared Bankens), who they thought was the Sandman Sniper, pretends he wants to have a conversation with Vera Strickland (Diany Rodriguez) at the prison. Then, he says no, which is a problem since she’s in charge of a psych profile program. Then the twist happens: Bugs wasn’t the one who murdered Melanie, andthe team has to find a second sniper.
This is an effective twist since it proves that the NCIS team can never assume that they know everything and thatNCIS: Originsis shaping up to be as great asthe most fascinating seasons ofNCIS.The Sandman storyline also proves that Gibbs has always been a determined, motivated, and intelligent member of his team. Gibbs may be stubborn at times, especially when he gets older, but he’s ultimately a team player who wants to help others.NCIS: Originsseason 1, episode 17 will likelydelve deeper into thishunt for the real serial killerand shed light on more of Gibbs’s career history.
Austin Stowell Plays Young Leroy Jethro Gibbs On NCIS: Origins Season 1 Perfectly
While viewers would have cheered if they saw more of Mark Harmon onNCIS: Origins, it was necessary to find a younger actor to portray Leroy Gibbs at the start of his career. Thankfully,Austin Stowell does an impressive job as Gibbs on the prequel series, and he embodies this vulnerable yet tough character well.
In an interview withVariety, Stowell shared that he can relate to Gibbs because his father also passed away. OnNCISseason 11, episode 14, “Honor Thy Father,” Gibbs learns his dad, Jackson Gibbs (Ralph Waite), died after having a stroke.
Stowell toldVarietythat portraying this character on the prequel tothe beloved police dramahas been a positive experience. He said:
“Playing Gibbs is making me want to be a better human being. We know who Gibbs becomes — this warmhearted, loyal but justified man, and someone who has made tons of mistakes."
