Ever since former “NCIS” Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, portrayed by Mark Harmon, reappeared in “NCIS: Origins” alongside a canine companion, fans have been curious about the dog’s name. Although the dog remains nameless on-screen, Harmon recently shared his thoughts on the matter when a viewer asked about it.
Ever since former “NCIS” Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) acquired a dog friend in “NCIS: Origins” — in the older Gibbs’ first onscreen appearance since departing “NCIS” in Season 19 — fans have been wondering what he named the pooch. While the quasi-pet has no official onscreen name at this point, Harmon has weighed in with his thoughts on the topic after being prompted by a curious viewer.
Fans of “NCIS” and its related series may remember that Gibbs’ four-legged friend came into the picture during Season 2, Episode 5 of “NCIS: Origins,” titled “Funny How Time Slips Away.” In this episode, we find Gibbs secluded in his Alaskan retreat where the dog appears, seemingly wandering in from the wilderness. Gibbs, showing his soft spot for animals, offers the dog some food and treats it like a companion, though without any formal commitment.
Interestingly, the viewer’s question, posed by Brian Dietzen, also inquired about Gibbs’ current lifestyle, a topic Harmon didn’t directly address. The episode offers glimpses of Gibbs’ activities—tinkering with gadgets, working on his boats, enjoying his favorite drinks, and staying connected to the world through his radio. However, much about his day-to-day life remains a mystery. What is clear, according to Harmon, is the impact of the dog’s presence on Gibbs’ emotional state and outlook on solitude.
Harmon noted that Gibbs enjoys solitude, saying, “He probably has more challenges being around lots of people than he does being alone, but he’s not alone anymore, right? So that part was intriguing. This is an idea David [J. North, ‘NCIS: Origins’ executive producer] and Gina [Lucita Monreal, executive producer] had, and it was like, oh, that’s cool,” he explained to TV Insider.
Gibbs’ Alaskan existence remains somewhat mysterious
CBS
At the heart of this storyline is a tale of companionship. Gibbs has always had a fondness for dogs, with several making appearances throughout the original series. The origins of this particular dog’s arrival remain a mystery, but it’s clear that Gibbs is quietly pleased to have a new friend by his side.
After noting that Gibbs enjoys being by himself, Harmon said, “He probably has more challenges being around lots of people than he does being alone, but he’s not alone anymore, right? So that part was intriguing. This is an idea David [J. North, “NCIS: Origins” executive producer] and Gina [Lucita Monreal, executive producer] had, and it was like, oh, that’s cool,” he told TV Insider.
At the core of the story is puppy love. Gibbs has a long history of adoring hounds, and several have entered and left his life before on the mothership program. The mystery of how this particular dog came out of nowhere and landed on his doorstep hasn’t been solved yet — but while the animal’s future is currently unclear, it’s obvious that Gibbs is secretly happy to have a furry buddy nearby.
