Spoiler Alert: NCIS: Origins Explains the Hidden Meaning Behind Gibbs’ Fishing Habit
NCIS: Origins season 1, episode 5, “Last Rites,” finally sheds light on a pivotal detail about Gibbs’ (Mark Harmon) backstory, redeeming his emotional farewell in his final NCIS scene. In that moment, Gibbs was fly-fishing with McGee in Alaska—a serene setting that seemed disconnected from his chaotic life. However, NCIS: Origins, set in 1991, dives deeper into the origins of Gibbs’ love for fishing, revealing its true significance.
In the original series, Gibbs helped take down Sonova Industries, a company threatening to pollute the Alaskan wilderness, but his passion for fishing was never fully explained. NCIS: Origins clarifies that fishing is more than just a hobby for Gibbs—it’s a way for him to center himself, a skill he learned from his father after the traumatic loss of his dog. This insight provides context to Gibbs’ peaceful retirement moment in his final NCIS appearance, explaining the sense of closure he felt.
In episode 5, Gibbs’ backstory unfolds further during an operation with Lala Dominguez (Mariel Molino). When a tense situation escalates, Gibbs reveals his troubled past, including his struggle with anger following the death of his childhood dog. He explains that fishing helped him cope, a detail that helps Lala understand the deeper layers of his character. This connection between Gibbs’ past and present provides a fuller understanding of his emotional state and why fishing has always been his escape.
NCIS: Origins continues to tie together the dots in Gibbs’ journey, offering fans new insights into the character’s development and marking a poignant moment in his storyline.
