It’s a big job taking on a beloved character from a franchise churning out endless spinoffs for almost two decades. But that’s precisely what Austin Stowell did with CBS‘s NCIS: Origins.
The series has certainly had its fair share of bumps as it continues down its premiere season road. Viewers have had a lot of opinions about the choices made on the show, namely Austin Stowell’s casting.
Here’s the rub about NCIS: Origins, though, because for every one thing it gets wrong, there are ten other things the show gets right.


Maybe Stowell isn’t a perfect physical match for Gibbs, but he is killing it with the heart and soul of the character.
Besides, even if he doesn’t look exactly like a younger Gibbs, he’s still damn handsome and easy on the eyes. I’m willing to overlook a lot of things to keep seeing those dreamy blue eyes tear up every other episode.
Say What You Want, but Austin Stowell Is Giving Everything He Has Got to Gibbs


Why there seems to be so much focus on how a younger Gibbs should look is beyond me.
I always thought the only thing that mattered was getting the character’s portrayal right, but I’m quirky like that.
In truth, Austin Stowell has done a fantastic job balancing playing a cool, calm, and collected Gibbs up against the worst time in the character’s history.
It’s wild not only to take on the mantle of a fan-favorite character but to do it when Gibbs is in such a volatile place. The early episodes of NCIS: Origins Season 1 took a heavy-hearted focus on the family Gibbs lost.
Namely, NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 4 showed that Gibbs’s first reaction to the news about his wife and daughter was to walk directly into enemy territory, hoping to be killed.


You can see the scene in your head, can’t you?
Austin Stowell’s Gibbs very calmly walks through gunfire and mayhem with nothing on his mind but the loved ones he lost.
That was a powerful scene, let alone episode, and every possible emotion was felt because Stowell did a damn good job knowing exactly when and where to let the tears start rolling.
Between Austin Stowell and Kyle Schmid, NCIS: Origins Has a Lock on Hot Men Who Cry
At one point, it seemed impossible to get through a single episode without setting the waterworks off. I’m talking, of course, of my own.
Some of these episodes WRECKED me.


Can you imagine the mental places Stowell had to go to film the scenes for NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 9? All the crying and yelling alone would run a person ragged.
Everything about his performance is about embodying a cry for help while trying to find the strength to go on. Every solo shot of the young Gibbs is charged with the thoughts and emotions of a man with nothing left to lose.
Austin Stowell isn’t just amazing with his character, either. The chemistry between him and Kyle Schmid‘s Mike Franks is palpable in every scene between the two.
Side note: however you may feel about Austin Stowell as Gibbs, you have to give it up for NCIS: Origins casting Schmid because he is on another level of acting as Mike Franks.


Backtracking to how well Stowell plays with others, the brotherly love between Gibbs and Franks is a give-in. However, some of the best TV friendships come from the most unexpected pairings.
NCIS: Origins May Get One or Two Things Wrong, but They Get Far More Things Right!
If you weren’t a puddle of tears by the end of NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 10, immediately get to a hospital because you might be dead inside.
All joking aside, “Blue Bayou” was by far the most incredible episode of the season. Everything about it was unexpected in the best way.
For one, viewers were treated to the wonderful surrogate big sister of Gibbs, Ruth. We also said goodbye to her in the same episode. It was the epitome of bittersweet.
The acting Austin Stowell and London Garcia (9-1-1: Lone Star) put into their scenes together left an unforgettable experience for every lucky person who watched.


Sure, NCIS: Origins gets stuff wrong just like any show getting off the ground, but when they get it right, man, do they knock it out of the park.
So, despite not being born as a carbon copy of a young Mark Harmon, Austin Stowell is committed to giving his all to Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
Still, a few more shirtless shots wouldn’t hurt. Gibbs has a very dangerous job, and we need to make sure he stays fit. It’s what Mary Jo would want.
What are your thoughts on Austin Stowell as Gibbs?
Are you hoping the show gets renewed for another season?
Please drop a comment below to let me know, and join me again when I bring you more fun questions and opinions about NCIS: Origins!
Watch NCIS:Origins Online
Source link