NCIS Crossover Delivers Decades-Spanning Justice and a Familiar Face

Imagine being an elite investigator, haunted for decades by "the one that got away"—a case where an innocent man went to prison. That lingering regret, a burden shared by many, formed the emotional core of the recent NCIS and NCIS: Origins crossover event.

TL;DR

• The two-hour NCIS/NCIS: Origins crossover aired November 11, 2025, solving a 33-year-old murder case.
• Mark Harmon reprised his role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in Origins, appearing in his Alaskan cabin with a beloved canine companion.
• The event saw the return of Roma Maffia as retired Special Agent Vera Strickland, connecting past and present investigations.

A Timeless Quest for Justice Unfolds Across Two Generations

The highly anticipated NCIS and NCIS: Origins crossover event wasn't just another two-parter; it was a deep dive into a cold case that stretched over three decades. On November 11, 2025, fans were treated to a special two-hour block on CBS, starting with NCIS: Origins Season 2, Episode 5 ("Funny How Time Slips Away") followed by NCIS Season 23, Episode 5 ("Now & Then"). Both episodes, available for streaming the next day on Paramount+, meticulously wove together a narrative of injustice, loyalty, and the relentless pursuit of truth.

Gibbs Returns to the Screen, But Not How You Might Expect

The biggest buzz around the crossover was, undoubtedly, the on-screen return of Mark Harmon as the iconic Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Opening the Origins episode, we found Gibbs in his serene Alaskan cabin, speaking not to a human love interest like young Gibbs's (Austin Stowell) Lala (Mariel Molino), but to a rescued stray dog. This felt incredibly authentic for long-time viewers, as Gibbs's love for canine companions has been a consistent thread throughout the original series. In fact, NCIS: Origins co-showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal noted it was "too soon" to delve into Lala's present-day story, making the dog an emotionally resonant choice. Harmon himself mentioned that Gibbs is "very comfortable" in solitude, finding companionship without the "public part" of his work. Source: [TheWrap, Mark Harmon will reprise his ‘NCIS’ role of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, 11/11/2025].

Harmon's involvement extends beyond this brief, impactful cameo; he's also an executive producer for NCIS: Origins and provides the familiar voice-over narration for each episode. His dedication to developing the character of young Gibbs and the prequel series is clear, recalling how the original NCIS also "struggled" in its early days before becoming a phenomenon. Source: [TheWrap, Mark Harmon will reprise his ‘NCIS’ role of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, 11/11/2025].

The Unraveling of a Decades-Old Murder Mystery

The heart of the crossover was a haunting 1990s murder case from the small, insular town of Serenity, California. Retired Navy officer Louis Burke was found dead, initially appearing to be a suicide by train. However, young Gibbs (Austin Stowell), his mentor Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid), and young Vera Strickland (Diany Rodriguez) quickly uncovered it as murder. The local sheriff, Thomas Mulligan (Shiloh Fernandez), shockingly confessed to the crime. It soon became clear he was protecting pregnant shop owner Lainey Sims (Gabrielle Haugh), with whom he was having an affair and was the father of her child. Despite the NIS team's belief in Mulligan's innocence, they were forced to reluctantly build a case against him, leading to his decades-long imprisonment.

This unresolved injustice deeply scarred Franks, who, according to the storyline, visited Mulligan annually in prison until his own death, always urging him to recant his false confession. This emotional weight laid the groundwork for one of Gibbs's most famous adages: Rule #11, "When the job is done, walk away," a lesson borrowed directly from Franks. Source: [Collider, 'NCIS: Origins' Season 2, Episode 5 Takes Us to a Creepy Old Town, 11/11/2025].

"This case was unsolvable in her mind and her partner's mind as long as it has been. She gets pulled in, and then she pushes her way in. She's all the more passionate about being a part of it, I think, besides being bored out of her mind. She very much wants to right a wrong for the team she was on and for the man who was wronged." — Roma Maffia (Vera Strickland) on her character's return. Source: Parade, November 11, 2025

A Blast from the Past Helps Close a Chapter in the Present

Fast forward 33 years to 2025: Thomas Mulligan (now played by Michael Lowry, who coincidentally had a different guest role in NCIS Season 1) escaped prison just three weeks before his parole. This unlikely breakout propelled the current NCIS team—led by Gary Cole (Parker), Wilmer Valderrama (Torres), Sean Murray (McGee), and Katrina Law (Knight)—into reopening the cold case. Their strongest link to the past? Retired Special Agent Vera Strickland, reprised by Roma Maffia, who had first appeared as the character in a 2013 NCIS episode. Maffia enthusiastically described her return as feeling "like you could just put on a slipper," eager to help "right a wrong" for Franks and her old team. Source: [Parade, A familiar face returns to NCIS tonight when Vera Strickland (Roma Maffia), 11/11/2025].

With Vera's insights and the modern team's resources, they began to piece together the truth. Lainey Sims had indeed killed Burke in a fit of rage, and her husband Mac had staged the suicide before later taking his own life due to guilt. Crucially, Burke was innocent of beating Dominic Wallace, an old man whose death Mulligan was believed to be avenging. Forensic experts Woody (Bobby Moynihan) and Phil (Ely Henry), who had been "aged up" with makeup to reflect the passing decades, re-examined the original baseball bat, confirming Burke had nothing to do with Wallace's death. Source: [Primetimer, Who all are expected to be seen in the cast of Ncis Crossover?, 11/12/2025].

The True Culprit and a Satisfying, If Predictable, Resolution

The real killer of Dominic Wallace was revealed to be his own grandson, Congressman James Wallace (Larry Joe Campbell). He had a clear motive: his grandfather planned to gift valuable property over an aquifer to the town, while James intended to inherit and sell it for personal profit. Jason Cross, the adult son of Mulligan and Lainey, sought revenge for his father's wrongful imprisonment, but was ultimately talked down by Vera and Parker. In the end, James Wallace was arrested, Mulligan walked free, and a decades-old injustice was finally corrected, bringing a poignant sense of closure.

Example: Consider Sarah, a retired detective haunted by a kidnapping case from her early career. A child was never found, the family devastated, and a man wrongly imprisoned for obstructing justice. For years, she'd pull out the dusty files, sketching theories, longing for a chance to revisit it. This NCIS crossover echoes that deep-seated desire for closure, not just for the victims, but for the investigators whose lives are irrevocably marked by the cases they can't quite leave behind.

Weighing the Crossover's Strengths Against Its Minor Flaws

The NCIS and NCIS: Origins crossover was largely praised for its cohesive storytelling and emotional depth, feeling like a genuine "event" rather than just a ratings grab. The Origins segment, in particular, was lauded for its character-driven approach, focusing on the emotional arcs of young Gibbs and Franks. Source: [TVLine, The NCIS & NCIS: Origins crossover is near perfect, except for one big thing, 11/12/2025].

However, it wasn't without its minor criticisms. Mark Harmon's highly promoted return to the screen was limited to just a single scene in the Origins opening. While effective for the story told, some fans might have felt let down, hoping for a more substantial appearance. Conversely, this decision allowed the Origins episode to truly shine, focusing on its own characters and plot without being overshadowed by a larger Gibbs narrative. Source: [TVLine, The NCIS & NCIS: Origins crossover is near perfect, except for one big thing, 11/12/2025].

Additionally, for viewers who love a good procedural mystery, the second half of the NCIS episode might have felt a bit predictable. The true killer and family connections became clear relatively early on. Yet, the crossover's strength lay not just in its "whodunit" aspect, but in its exploration of how themes of justice and unresolved trauma resonate across time. It provided a deeply satisfying emotional payoff for those invested in the characters' journeys and the franchise's lore. Source: [TVLine, The NCIS & NCIS: Origins crossover is near perfect, except for one big thing, 11/12/2025].

Your Burning Questions About the Crossover Answered When did the NCIS crossover event air? The two-hour NCIS and NCIS: Origins crossover event aired on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. Where can I stream the NCIS and NCIS: Origins crossover episodes? Both episodes, "Funny How Time Slips Away" (NCIS: Origins S2E5) and "Now & Then" (NCIS S23E5), are available for streaming the day after their CBS broadcast on Paramount+. Will Mark Harmon return to NCIS full-time? While Mark Harmon reprised his role as Gibbs for a cameo in the crossover, there's no indication of a full-time return to the flagship NCIS series. He remains an executive producer and voice-over narrator for NCIS: Origins. Key Takeaways from the Epic NCIS Crossover Event

• The two-hour event successfully delivered a cohesive, decades-spanning narrative focused on the enduring quest for justice.
• Mark Harmon's brief but poignant return as Gibbs showcased his solitary, dog-loving life in Alaska, adding depth to his character's post-NCIS journey.
• The storyline provided long-awaited emotional closure for a challenging, "unsolvable" case, impacting multiple generations of characters.
• It illuminated the foundational origins of Gibbs's famous Rule #11, powerfully connecting past character development to the present.
• The Veterans Day air date underscored the series' ongoing tribute to naval crime investigation and its profound human impact.

Sources

• Collider: 'NCIS: Origins' Season 2, Episode 5 Recap: Rule #11 is Born (November 11, 2025)
• Parade: A Familiar Face Returns to NCIS Tonight When Vera Strickland (Roma Maffia) Joins the Current NCIS Team (November 11, 2025)
• Primetimer: Who all are expected to be seen in the cast of NCIS crossover? Complete lineup and returning stars revealed (November 12, 2025)
• TVLine: The NCIS & NCIS: Origins Crossover Is Near Perfect, Except For One Big Thing (November 12, 2025)
• TheWrap: Mark Harmon Will Reprise His ‘NCIS’ Role of Leroy Jethro Gibbs This Week (November 11, 2025)