Pulled from throughout the long-running series’ extended run, there are some essential NCIS episodes for Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs to watch while waiting for the NCIS: Origins spinoff starring Austin Stowell. As the series’ central character for the 19 seasons he was on the show, Gibbs has a lot of important episodes, but 15 particular storylines are particularly pivotal for his character. Any of the elements of these episodes, especially the ones that explore Gibbs’ backstory, could influence the NCIS: Origins story.

Important episodes for Gibbs see the development of his character, personal details of his backstory revealed, or are episodes that are particularly action-packed for Gibbs. Gibbs was previously a Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps where he was trained as a sniper, and so Gibbs’ essential episode list includes episodes where Gibbs is operating in his full capacity as a trained Marine. Although the NCIS: Origins trailer has revealed little about the series, plot points for NCIS: Origins can be found in these Gibbs episodes.

15

“Yankee White”

Season 1, Episode 1

In “Yankee White,” the first episode of NCIS after the backdoor pilot on Jag, Gibbs lays out what NCIS is about and why their work merits the same respect as other investigative bodies, such as the CIA or the FBI. His team is investigating a mysterious death on Air Force One that introduced Caitlin Todd (Sasha Alexander) and sees Gibbs take down someone attempting to assassinate the president despite starting out on the flight unarmed. The episode sets the groundwork for Gibbs’ rules, and NCIS: Origins could explain Gibbs’ longest-running joke by revisiting the list’s origin.

14

“One Shot, One Kill”

Season 1, Episode 13

“One Shot, One Kill” is an essential Gibbs episode because it revisits Gibbs’ history as a Marine and sees him back in uniform, going undercover to track down a sniper that is targeting Marine recruiters at recruitment offices. Gibbs goes undercover as a Marine recruiter, worrying his team when he refuses to wear his bullet-proof vest because he believes it will blow his cover. Gibbs is a former Gunnery Sergeant for the Marine Corps, and the episode shows what made him capable of his post and how that translates to his leadership at NCIS.

13

“Bête Noire”

Season 1, Episode 16

Gibbs’ entire team is at risk in “Bête Noire” and the episode sees him negotiate a hostage situation to free Ducky, Gerald, and Kate. The episode marks the first appearance of Ari Haswari (Rudolf Martin), and begins the arc between Ari and Gibbs that will continue until the beginning of season 3 when Ziva shoots Ari to protect Gibbs. The episode shows Gibbs in action when his team needs him most, but it also shows Gibbs failing to catch the bad guy, and it affects Gibbs for weeks to come as he dwells on what Ari did to his team.

12

“See No Evil”

Season 2, Episode 1

“See No Evil” has a moment that teases Gibbs’ backstory. The team is investigating a case that saw a blind eight-year-old girl and her mother kidnapped to blackmail Navy Captain Mike Watson (David Keith) into transferring $2 million dollars to secure the release of his wife and daughter. When it’s revealed that Watson set up the hostage situation to make off with the money for himself, Watson tries to explain that he needed the money. Gibbs slams him into the wall, telling him not to make excuses for why he was willing to give up everything he had.

11

“Kill Ari Part II”

Season 3, Episode 2

The events in “Kill Ari Part II,” and what happens leading up to it, and in the fallout, have major implications for Gibbs. The episode is the conclusion to Gibbs’ pursuit of Ari, who wounded Gerald in “Bête Noire” and killed Special Agent Kate Todd in “Twilight.” Gibbs’ life takes a different direction when he comes into contact with Ari because he ultimately loses one of his best agents and meets her replacement in the process. “Kill Ari Part II” is a huge development for Gibbs’ trust in his new team member, Ziva David (Cote de Pablo).

10

“Hiatus” Parts I & II

Season 3, Episodes 23 & 24

“Hiatus” is an essential Gibbs episode, because Gibbs’ personal backstory is revealed after he survives a terrorist blast and relives moments from his life while he is unconscious. It’s also an essential Gibbs episode to watch while waiting for NCIS: Origins because it introduced Michael “Mike” Franks. Franks was the NCIS Supervisory Special Agent who helped Gibbs become an NCIS Special Agent, overseeing him directly at Camp Pendleton. It’s important to get this backstory when preparing to watch Origins because it will focus on Gibbs’ early development in the early 1990s under the guidance of Franks.

9

“Requiem”

Season 5, Episode 2

This episode is a must-watch for Gibbs’ personal history. When Gibbs steps up to help a childhood friend of his daughter in “Requiem,” more details of Gibbs’ past are revealed. The episode also contains one of the most action-packed moments of the series. After being trapped in a car underwater, Gibbs’ and his late daughter’s best friend are saved when Tony dives underwater, kicking in the windshield to ultimately save the day. The episode is pivotal for Gibbs’ character and reveals facts about NCIS’ Gibbs that audiences didn’t previously have the context for.

8

“Ex-File”

Season 5, Episode 3

“Ex-File” reveals more about Gibbs’ past relationships, which is something that the team likes to comment on but that Gibbs does not talk about openly other than to joke about it. When a Marine captain is found dead on a base, the team investigates. What shakes things up a bit is that Gibbs’ third ex-wife, Stephanie Flynn (Kathleen York), witnessed the crime. Lieutenant Colonel Hollis Mann, Gibbs’ current girlfriend, (Susanna Thompson), leads the investigation. The circumstances in the episode set the characters up for a series of love triangles and see more of Gibbs’ relationship timeline explored.

7

“Judgement Day” Parts I & II

Season 5, Episodes 18 & 19

The two-part NCIS season 5 finale, “Judgement Day” Parts I & II, sheds more light on Gibbs’ past when his mentor, Mike Franks, returns. This is an essential episode to watch when waiting for the NCIS: Origins spinoff because the spinoff will see Franks return, with the part of young Mike Franks already cast. In the episode, Gibbs experiences unwanted changes to his life when he loses NCIS Director Jenny Shepard when she dies protecting Gibbs. The episode also sees Shepard’s role passed to Leon Vance. It’s a defining episode for Gibbs and his team, as well as his past.

6

“Heartland”

Season 6, Episode 4

This is another essential episode for Gibbs’ backstory. When an ambush behind a bar leaves one Marine dead and another severely injured, the case leads to Gibbs’ hometown of Stillwater, Pennsylvania, because he shares a heartland with the surviving victim. “Heartland” introduces Gibbs’ father, Jackson Gibbs (Ralph Waite). Gibbs spends a lot of time with his father throughout the episode, despite the father-son pair being estranged and not having spoken in 16 years. The episode even reveals how Gibbs met his first wife, Shannon (Aviva Baumann), in a flashback. Gibbs’ hometown will likely come up at least once in Origins.

5

“Truth Or Consequences”

Season 7, Episode 1

In the harrowing start to NCIS season 7, “Truth or Consequences,” Tony and McGee are taken hostage in a terrorist training camp in Somalia. It’s an effort to rescue Ziva, and it’s ultimately up to Gibbs to free his three agents. As tensions are escalating, a bullet comes through the window and instantly kills the group’s captor, Saleem Ulman (Omid Abtahi). The episode then cuts to Gibbs in camouflage on a nearby hilltop staring into his rifle scope. Gibbs used to be a sniper in the Marines, and his effort to save his team puts his skills on full display.

4

“Life Before His Eyes”

Season 9, Episode 14

More details of Gibbs’ life are revealed in “Life Before His Eyes.” Gibbs finds himself in a life-or-death situation that sees him reflecting on his life in a series of monumental flashbacks for his character: leaving home, joining the Marines, meeting his first wife, the birth of his daughter, fighting in Desert Storm, finding out his wife and daughter are dead, meeting Mike Franks, and becoming an NCIS agent. Flashbacks from previous episodes follow. The episode is a treasure chest of information on Gibbs’ life, and it’s a crucial rewatch before the premiere of NCIS: Origins.

3

“Honor Thy Father”

Season 11, Episode 24

In the NCIS season 11 finale, “Honor Thy Father” pays tribute to the actor who played Gibbs’ father, Ralph Waite. When Gibbs finds out that his father has died from a stroke, he returns to the heartland of Stillwater, Pennsylvania. Although the episode sees Gibbs in action as well, the episode mostly focuses on Gibbs reminiscing about his past. It’s revealed that when he was young, the agent built a small wooden boat with his dad that they named after his mother. Since Origins will focus on Gibbs’ backstory, moments of his childhood will set up his character.

2

“The Arizona”

Season 17, Episode 20

“The Arizona” is one of the most heart-wrenching NCIS episodes. The episode follows Gibbs as he helps a 95-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor, portrayed by Christopher Lloyd, recall events from 1941. The Navy veteran wants to be buried with his fellow survivors on the USS Arizona, but he has no proof that he served on the ship. The episode causes Gibbs to confront the weight of his own military service. Gibbs confides in McGee that when he came home after serving in the military, he felt like half a person. It’s a moment that will surely be visited in NCIS: Origins.

1

“Great Wide Open”

Season 19, Episode 4

“Great Wide Open” is one of the most important Gibbs episodes because the team says goodbye to their Special Agent in Charge and the series says goodbye to its most valuable character. When Gibbs follows a case to Alaska, a series of events causes him to call it home. Just before riding off into the sunset, Gibbs teaches McGee to fish the same way his father taught him. While reflecting on filming the episode, Sean Murray reveals that it’s one of his favorite NCIS scenes that he’s ever done, and one of his best memories of the show.