NCIS: Origins Highlights a Surprising Mike Franks Continuity Error
NCIS: Origins has offered fans a closer look at the early careers of iconic characters like Mike Franks and Leroy Jethro Gibbs. As the lead Special Agent of the NIS and Gibbs’ superior, Franks plays a pivotal role in shaping the future NCIS legend. His mentorship and camaraderie with Gibbs are central to the spin-off, including Franks’ playful habit of calling Gibbs “probie.”
However, in Episode 6, titled Incognito, the show reveals an amusing continuity error regarding Franks’ character.
Franks Declares He Doesn’t Like Mexican Food
In the episode, the NIS team investigates a murder tied to stolen military intelligence. The operation takes an unexpected turn when the FBI arrests the buyer before the deal can happen, allowing Gibbs and Lala to go undercover to retrieve the stolen information.
During a work meeting at a Mexican restaurant, Franks, his supervisor Cliff Walker, and FBI detective Noah Oakley discuss strategies to catch the buyer. When offered a plate of tacos, Franks declines, admitting, “I don’t like Mexican food.” This casual remark might seem harmless, but it creates a funny continuity error for longtime NCIS fans.
The Problem with Franks’ Admission
In the flagship NCIS series, Mike Franks is depicted as someone who finds solace in Mexico, spending his later years there and embracing the local culture. His disinterest in Mexican food in Origins humorously clashes with his eventual fondness for the region in the original series.
The restaurant scene wraps up with a lighthearted moment: Oakley reveals he already helped NIS by having the buyer arrested, but he stayed for the free lunch. Franks begrudgingly pays the bill after Walker nods at him, cementing his role as the team’s reluctant wallet.
A Charming Character Quirk
While the inconsistency might not impact the storyline significantly, it’s a fun detail for fans to dissect. It highlights how NCIS: Origins is building out the backstory of its characters while occasionally creating contrasts with the established NCIS lore.
For now, it remains an amusing footnote in Franks’ otherwise fascinating journey through the NCIS universe.
