Wonderful episode. A ton of work and talent went into that episode, so obvious - characters, plot, flashback, all seamless; complexity, and no ripping from the headlines or filler dialogue - absolutely first-class imho. And reviewer jeffreycrippen has a great idea about a series for young Gibbs and Ducky - what a natural spin-off - and we definitely would love it!
10 Reviews
This was well worth the wait!
Carycomic25 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
For most fans of this show, it was a shock when it was revealed that Gibbs' very first wife--and their daughter Shannon--had been killed by narco-terrorists while Gibbs himself was deployed in Kuwait during the Persian Gulf War. Now, we get an even bigger surprise.
Gibbs had met Ducky even before he joined NCIS!
Forty years ago, of course, it was still just NIS (the Naval Investigative Service). Mike Franks was still a probationary agent (or "probie" for short). Dr. Magnus (Ducky's predecessor, previously played by Bob Newhart) was still chief medical examiner. And Gibbs, himself, had not yet even enrolled in USMC Scout-Sniper School!
It's episodes like this that I love the most, as the flashback sometimes prove more interesting than the modern-day aspects of the plot. Because they depict what the main characters went through--especially in terms of making mistakes to learn from--before they became the much-more experienced know-it-alls of today.
Sean Harmon once more plays young Leroy Jethro Gibbs. And Adam Campbell is also back; once again doing justice to the role of incessantly-but-lovably anecdotal Donald Mallard.
Gibbs had met Ducky even before he joined NCIS!
Forty years ago, of course, it was still just NIS (the Naval Investigative Service). Mike Franks was still a probationary agent (or "probie" for short). Dr. Magnus (Ducky's predecessor, previously played by Bob Newhart) was still chief medical examiner. And Gibbs, himself, had not yet even enrolled in USMC Scout-Sniper School!
It's episodes like this that I love the most, as the flashback sometimes prove more interesting than the modern-day aspects of the plot. Because they depict what the main characters went through--especially in terms of making mistakes to learn from--before they became the much-more experienced know-it-alls of today.
Sean Harmon once more plays young Leroy Jethro Gibbs. And Adam Campbell is also back; once again doing justice to the role of incessantly-but-lovably anecdotal Donald Mallard.
Excellent story
jeffreycrippen-2844627 November 2020
yes and no
niznonizno25 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Young Ducky and young Gibbs both don't mention Shannons name.
So it is not to say that Ducky knew her name, not did he knew if they came back together. It is true though that Ducky mentioned in season 2 that they knew each other since 1991 when Gibbs came to NIS
I like the episode a lot
So it is not to say that Ducky knew her name, not did he knew if they came back together. It is true though that Ducky mentioned in season 2 that they knew each other since 1991 when Gibbs came to NIS
I like the episode a lot
Breaks with previous storyline
betanslivka17 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This was a cute episode, but not really in keeping with the previous back story of Gibbs and Ducky. As another reviewer mentioned, there was a previous episode when Ducky mentioned when the two met. Either in that episode or possibly a second one, , it was all established that Ducky and the rest of the team did not even know about Shannon for the longest time. Ducky knew about two wives when he introduced Gibbs to his 3rd ex-wife, but had no idea about Shannon and their daughter Kelly at that time.
Those of us who have watched episodes numerous times notice discrepancies like this. Obviously the writers didn't know the background. I enjoyed the episode, but not as much as I would have, if they had stayed true to the background. And I'm glad I'm not the only one here who noticed.
Those of us who have watched episodes numerous times notice discrepancies like this. Obviously the writers didn't know the background. I enjoyed the episode, but not as much as I would have, if they had stayed true to the background. And I'm glad I'm not the only one here who noticed.
A solid journey back even further in time
hindsonevansmike12 July 2023
Finally caught this 400th episode in July 2023.
An excellent trip backwards; opening up how Jethro nearly didn't marry Shannon. Mallard uses the exemplar of "Maggie" to advise Jethro not to throw over a good relationship.
Switching back and forth across some 40 years, Ducky and Jethro (aided and abetted by the 2020 NCIS team) finally manage to settle an old score.
Along the way, we learn a little bit more about the Gibbs backstory - and why Mallard is the way that he is.
We even see the NIS office as it was in 1980 - some things barely change!
A very solid and entertaining and informative episode.
An excellent trip backwards; opening up how Jethro nearly didn't marry Shannon. Mallard uses the exemplar of "Maggie" to advise Jethro not to throw over a good relationship.
Switching back and forth across some 40 years, Ducky and Jethro (aided and abetted by the 2020 NCIS team) finally manage to settle an old score.
Along the way, we learn a little bit more about the Gibbs backstory - and why Mallard is the way that he is.
We even see the NIS office as it was in 1980 - some things barely change!
A very solid and entertaining and informative episode.
An excellent "Back to the Beginning" Storyt
koohii18 April 2023
As for the criticism that how could Ducky not know about Shannon, which I've noticed in many posts, that's just silly. So simple: maybe the relationship fell apart. It's not like Gibbs was open with anyone about having his wife and daughter killed. Ducky could have simply figured that Gibbs had been through some horrific experience, and wasn't open to talking about it. (And Ducky would have been way to polite to ask, because one simply didn't do that sort of thing--you'd know that if you were brought up in that era.)
No, this was a good new story with just a short tie in to the ongoing arc. And such a relief not to have the horrid Sloane touchy-feely crap.
??
modrell16 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
If any good watcher of the show would know that Ducky and Gibbs did not meet in tell 1991
If this really did happen I wonder why it was not said before huh.
Because I remember and rewatch season two or three when Gibbs was hurt from the bomb on the boat
Ducky said we have not meet in tell 1991 if so did they both forget that they meet in 1980
Not all that exciting
harrykivi15 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
When "Sturgeon Season" started this season off on a fine note, I was looking forward to see "Everything Starts Somewhere". Unfortunately, was not all that impressed by this episode. It's not a bad entry to the series, but ok at best.
Let's start with the good aspects.
. The production values of the episode are fantastic. "Everything Starts Somewhere" is very well directed, the music fits the scenery and the acting's good. Sean Harmon is fine as the young Gibbs, Adam Campbell once again is brilliant as the young Ducky.
. The mystery does occasionally take interesting turns, the humor works better this time around. There are relatable themes touched upon and moments of charm.
But...
. There are parts of the story, which have "been there, done that" vibe and do not excite, especially the storyline about a mob boss, who has always gotten away with murder. At times I found the episode rather dull and wished more was done with the premise.
Overall, an ok episode.
5/10 HK.
Let's start with the good aspects.
. The production values of the episode are fantastic. "Everything Starts Somewhere" is very well directed, the music fits the scenery and the acting's good. Sean Harmon is fine as the young Gibbs, Adam Campbell once again is brilliant as the young Ducky.
. The mystery does occasionally take interesting turns, the humor works better this time around. There are relatable themes touched upon and moments of charm.
But...
. There are parts of the story, which have "been there, done that" vibe and do not excite, especially the storyline about a mob boss, who has always gotten away with murder. At times I found the episode rather dull and wished more was done with the premise.
Overall, an ok episode.
5/10 HK.
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