NCIS: Origins' season 2 is bringing back Dan McClane, but can the show explain how a good man went bad?

A still from the show (Image via youtube/@ TV Promos)
A still from the show (Image via CBS)

NCIS: Origins continues to build on what fans already love about the franchise by showcasing Gibbs during his early days at NCIS. The show has brought back several characters from the main series, albeit in younger versions, which helps explain how Gibbs became the agent we know.

Season 2 is gearing up to introduce something truly special. The Fed Five is coming, which was this legendary group of agents who worked together in the 90s on major cases.

Dan McClane led this team, but here is the thing. He only showed up as a memory in the original show. People talked about him after he died, but nobody ever got to see what he was actually like.

The writers now have the opportunity to address that issue. They can show us who McClane really was before things went wrong. His journey from respected mentor to someone who made corrupt choices needs explanation, and that's precisely what this storyline should deliver.


The Fed Five makes its long-awaited debut in NCIS: Origins

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Season 11 of the main show had this two-part episode called "Crescent City" that introduced the Fed Five concept. These agents handled the most challenging assignments that regular teams couldn't solve.

Gibbs worked alongside Mike Franks, Felix Betts, and Dwayne Pride under McClane's guidance. Pride eventually got his own spinoff set in New Orleans, which made him a significant character in the entire franchise. The Privileged Killer case put the Fed Five on the map and solidified their reputation.

NCIS: Origins is finally going to show us how these five people ended up working together in the first place. Mark Deklin got cast as the younger McClane, which means we will actually see him doing agent work instead of just hearing stories.

Episode 11 will focus on stolen weapons, with McClane flying in from Panama to run the operation. The Camp Pendleton crew teams up with him to shut down this dangerous ring. Fans have been waiting years to see the Fed Five in action rather than just flashbacks.


Understanding the man behind the mistakes in NCIS: Origins

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The original episodes dropped a bombshell about McClane that nobody saw coming. He let a murderer walk free because someone paid him off, and an innocent guy went to prison because of his lies. Gibbs felt betrayed, but Pride took it even harder since McClane meant so much to him. The tricky part was that McClane died before the episode began, so viewers never got to witness his personality or leadership style.

NCIS: Origins can finally give this character some real depth instead of leaving him as just a cautionary tale. Showing McClane during his good years lets everyone understand why people trusted and admired him so much. His corruption becomes way more tragic when you know what kind of agent he used to be. The writers can explore what drove someone honorable to make such terrible decisions.

NCIS: Origins holds a unique position where it can make old episodes feel fresh by adding context. McClane deserves better than being remembered only for his worst moments.


Questions about Gibbs and his unexpected promotion in NCIS: Origins

NCIS: Origins keeps showing us that Gibbs isn't some natural-born superstar agent right out of the gate. He fumbles with interrogations and needs guidance on things that seem basic. Season 2 has spent time on whether he can even handle questioning suspects properly. His skills are developing slowly, which is to be expected for someone new to the job. But here's what doesn't add up.

Why does the Fed Five want him? His teammates have way more experience and better track records. Lala probably wasn't picked because of 90s workplace attitudes toward women, which is a realistic but frustrating reality. Randy has better credentials than Gibbs does at this point in the timeline. Mike Franks must have some specific reason for bringing Gibbs onto such a high-profile task force. Maybe Franks sees something in Gibbs that hasn't fully emerged yet.

NCIS: Origins really needs to explain this choice, as it significantly impacts how we perceive everyone involved. The other team members might feel resentful about getting passed over. This tension could create some gripping drama while also explaining how Gibbs got ahead in his career.


Building connections across the franchise of NCIS: Origins

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This whole Fed Five narrative does more than just answer questions about the past. It ties together different shows, making the entire NCIS world feel more connected and realistic. Anyone who goes back and watches "Crescent City" after seeing McClane's introduction will have a totally different reaction. His death and the corruption reveal will carry actual emotional weight instead of feeling distant.

NCIS: Origins proves that looking backward can actually move a franchise forward when done right.


The Fed Five arc presents an opportunity to transform McClane from a name into a fully realized character.

Edited by Amey Mirashi