Warning: Spoilers Ahead for “NCIS: Origins” Season 2, Episode 18 — “Hollywood Ending”
The Season 2 finale of “NCIS: Origins” brings viewers to the brink of closure for the Camp Pendleton office. The team narrowly avoids this fate, thanks to the efforts of Vera (Diany Rodriguez), who rallies her colleagues to demonstrate the office’s essential role. By the episode’s conclusion, the NIS is rebranded as the NCIS, following their successful pitch. An unseen, newly appointed director, Tom Morrow, is convinced that the team is both capable and committed to tackling crime. As a result, the Camp Pendleton NCIS office remains operational, with Morrow likely to make an appearance in the already-confirmed third season of the series.
Morrow’s appointment resolves a lingering mystery in the “NCIS” universe. Until now, the duration of his tenure as director before being introduced in the original “NCIS” Season 1 was unclear. “Hollywood Ending” establishes that Morrow is the first to lead Gibbs’ (Austin Stowell) team, setting his start date in 1992 and providing a definitive timeline for fans.
Fans know that Morrow’s departure occurs in 2005, paving the way for Jenny Shepard (Lauren Holly) to take over. Following Jenny’s tragic death three years later, Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll) steps in to become the longest-serving director in “NCIS” history, holding the position from 2008 until his murder in 2026.
Devoted “NCIS” fans understand that earning Gibbs’ (portrayed by Mark Harmon in “NCIS”) respect is challenging and demands time and perseverance. Gibbs operates by a unique code of conduct, encapsulated in his rules for both professional and personal life. Tom Morrow (played by Alan Dale in “NCIS”) is no exception; he eventually gains Gibbs’ friendship and respect, with Gibbs even addressing him as “sir,” highlighting the value he places on Morrow’s insights.
After leaving to work for the Department of Homeland Security during “NCIS” Season 3, Morrow’s appearances become sporadic until his shocking demise in Season 13’s “Return to Sender.” In this episode, he falls victim to a sniper attack orchestrated by renegade CIA agent Trent Kort (David Dayan Fisher). Eerily, Morrow’s fate mirrors that of his successors, who also meet violent ends on the show.
Gibbs and Morrow will develop a good relationship
CBS
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.
