The NCIS franchise has continued its dynasty, striking more gold with NCIS: Origins.
In fact, the compelling prequel has scored a full-season order, to my absolute delight, at a time when the television landscape and its offerings seem bleak.
NCIS: Origins works for so many reasons: focusing on young Leroy Jethro Gibbs when NCIS still went by NIS, exploring his grief after the recent loss of his wife and daughter, and kickass ’90s needledrops.
But the thing about Origins is that it doesn’t feel like Gibbs’ show at all.
And shockingly, that’s the best thing about it.
The series manages to utilize the stalwart, most renowned character of the NCIS universe, Gibbs, as a Trojan Horse to tell Mike Franks’ story, and I love every damn second of it.
Make no mistake — it’s Gibbs’ story, and Austin Stowell is sublime as a young Gibbs.
With his powerful and poignant performances in each installment, Stowell not only fills the tough shoes of Mark Harmon but also that of his son, Sean Harmon.
But while it’s Gibbs’ story, it’s undeniably Mike Franks’ show.
Franks is the very heart of NCIS: Origins, and there isn’t a single scene that man doesn’t steal.
Mike Franks was always a fan-favorite character in the original series.
His relationship with Gibbs was unique and one of the best dynamics the series has ever produced.
After all, Gibbs had a way of being beloved and inaccessible in so many ways during the series, but we always got a glimpse of something different when he was around Franks.
Thanks to NCIS: Origins, we can totally understand why.
The series gives us context for one of the franchise’s best mentorships, and knowing that Franks was there in the aftermath of the most devastating time in Gibbs’ life certainly makes sense for their close bond.
The truth is that without Mike Franks, Gibbs and the legacy that Gibbs left behind on NCIS would not exist.
So much of what we know and love about this staple character in the franchise is due to this gruff but kind-hearted man who opened the door and allowed Gibbs to step into his eventual legacy.
Interestingly, when news broke about a Gibbs prequel, it was easy to tilt my head and wonder how they would pull this off.
And the series earning the name NCIS: Origins initially felt like a misfire.
But in hindsight, now that we’re a few episodes in, “Origins” is a perfectly clever title for this series.
Because it’s about the origins of NCIS and Gibbs, sure, but it broadens the scope of what the series can explore as it carries on into a multi-season run.
And I desperately need this series to have a few seasons under its belt buckle.
Titling the series “Origins” means it can explore many characters, not just Gibbs.
But it especially can focus more on Franks, which the series has done thus far.
It’s like they lured us in with Gibbs’ story and sucker-punched us with Mike Franks’ chronicles and his origin story, one that can last a while in the time frame of NCIS: Origins.
We know Mike Franks’ fate in the original series, but what’s lovely about Origins is that he’s suspended in time because of the era the series is fixated on.
This means we get to deep-dive into this character and unpeel all of these layers.
It was always evident that there was more to Mike Franks than met the eye.
He was more than just this snarky, sharp-witted curmudgeon — an old dog who still could learn a few tricks.
And NCIS: Origins gets to tell that story and is doing so beautifully.
Kyle Schmid is splendid as a young Mike Franks.
He is so eerily fabulous at capturing all the nuances and mannerisms of his predecessor, Muse Watson, that it should be studied.
Every time the camera pans to him, you simply can’t turn away as he delivers a riveting performance in every installment: hilarious, badass, frustrating, and refreshingly human.
Franks is rough around the edges and doesn’t have anything remotely close to a filler, but he has such a big damn heart that shines through in such a way that it reiterates what I mentioned above: Mike Franks is the heart of this prequel.
NCIS: Origins is fascinating because it is surprisingly effusive as a series.
Two of the most deceptively stoic, pinnacle of masculinity characters in the franchise helm an evocative series that isn’t afraid to show how strong men can still feel.
And they feel everything, not just anger or aggression.
I understand that for Gibbs at such a fragile time in his life, but what surprises me the most is how they’ve managed the same with Franks.
He’s a passionate man, and the series fixates on this well in every episode as it applies to all aspects of his life.
It showcases his passion, romanticism, reverence, and softness through his relationship with Tish.
We see it in cases with NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 5 serving as a strong example of how far he goes and how emotionally invested he can get on the job.
But most importantly and consistently, we see it with his team and how someone who is supremely fucked up in his own way, too, does whatever it takes to protect his people and ensure that they’re okay.
Few seem to grasp his fondness and admiration for Gibbs and why he’s willing to take the risk of allowing a grieving man who, to most, seems like an open wound and danger to himself and potentially others to join his team.
But Franks is so delightfully intuitive, and through that intuition and him as a character, the entire series clicks into place and works.
Sure, NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 1 teased that an underdeveloped Lala is somehow at the center of this story — someone Gibbs never spoke about in all the time we’ve known him.
And the implication is that this story is very much meant to be about her.
But we have yet to see that.
What we have seen is that the most charismatic, multilayered, and sexiest mustachioed man since This Is Us‘ Jack Pearson has been at the center of everything.
Franks is bridging the gap between all the characters while holding the title of best character development outside of Gibbs.
Via Franks, we get the best insight into Gibbs’ state of mind in some of the most exhilarating and least toxic, albeit subtle, depictions of brotherhood and male camaraderie presently on air.
And it’s via Franks that we get some of the best interpersonal conflicts — I eagerly await the series to explore further how he and Vera’s relationship became so strained.
It’s easy to imagine that part of that is due to the realistic but forgivable political incorrectness that has him simultaneously revering and slighting the strong women surrounding him.
Through Franks, we get some of the most endearing moments and touching dynamics, too.
Offhand, his relationship with Mary Jo is already one for the books, as the mutual respect and affection there bring out the best in both characters.
I don’t know where NCIS: Origins intends to go this season (and the many hopeful seasons to come).
I am curious how they’ll expand their focus amongst the team and explore various characters and their respective stories.
But I do know that while NCIS: Origins lured me in with the promise of exploring Gibbs (and is delivering on that), Mike Franks is why I return week after week.
NCIS: Origins belongs to Mike Franks, and I love every second of that.
How about you?
Are you a Mike Franks Fanatic?
Is he the reason you’re tuning into the series and the ultimate scene stealer?
Sound off below, baby!
Watch NCIS:Origins Online
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