Origins Season 2 Resolves a Persistent NCIS Timeline Enigma

In the climax of “NCIS: Origins” Season 2, the future of the Camp Pendleton office hangs by a thread. The team narrowly escapes closure with some strategic maneuvering by Vera (Diany Rodriguez), who collaborates with her colleagues to highlight the office’s importance. By the episode’s conclusion, a rebranding occurs as the NIS transforms into the NCIS, thanks to their convincing presentation. An unseen, newly appointed director, Tom Morrow, perceives the team as dedicated and capable of combating crime. This development ensures the Camp Pendleton NCIS office remains operational, with hints that Morrow will make an appearance in the upcoming third season of the series.

This appointment of Morrow also resolves a lingering enigma in “NCIS” lore. Until now, fans were in the dark about the tenure of his directorship before his appearance in Season 1, or whether he was the original head of the team. “Hollywood Ending” sheds light on this by confirming Morrow as the pioneering director of Gibbs’ (Austin Stowell) squad, marking his initiation in 1992 and solidifying the timeline.

Morrow’s tenure is set to conclude in 2005 when Jenny Shepard (Lauren Holly) steps in. Her leadership ends tragically three years later, paving the way for Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll) to become the longest-serving director in the show’s history. Vance’s era extends from 2008 to his untimely demise in 2026.

Devoted “NCIS” enthusiasts know that earning Gibbs’ (Mark Harmon in “NCIS”) respect is no small feat, requiring time and significant effort. Gibbs abides by his personal set of rules, applicable both on and off the job. Fans familiar with Tom Morrow (Alan Dale in “NCIS”) understand he, too, will eventually gain Gibbs’ respect. Their relationship evolves into a warm friendship, where Gibbs even refers to Morrow as “sir,” reflecting the deep respect he holds for Morrow’s judgment and leadership.

Any “NCIS” fan worth their salt knows that it’s possible to earn Gibbs’ (Mark Harmon in “NCIS”) admiration, but it takes a while and a lot of effort. He’s got his own code of conduct — as enumerated by his list of rules for life on the job and outside of it. Loyal viewers know that Tom Morrow (Alan Dale in “NCIS”) will be no exception to that; one day, he’ll earn Gibbs’ friendship, they’ll have a warm friendship, and Gibbs will even call Morrow “sir,” a show of respect that points up how much he values Morrow’s opinions.

After Morrow takes a job with the Department of Homeland Security during Season 3 of “NCIS,” he only makes a handful of guest appearences until his untimely death in Season 13’s “Return to Sender.” In that outing, he’s sniped by CIA agent-gone-bad Trent Kort (David Dayan Fisher). The eerie thing about Morrow’s death is that his two successors are also killed off the show due to gun violence.

Jenny Shepard, whose death hides an interesting Easter egg, shuffles off this mortal coil in a gun battle during Season 5’s “Judgment Day (Part 1),” while Leon Vance is shot to death in the NCIS evidence locker during “All Good Things” in Season 23. The position of acting NCIS director is open as of this writing. Good luck to whoever inherits the mantle, and may they own a bulletproof bodysuit.