NCIS: Origins season 2 episode 3 explores Ducky Mallard’s early days with Gibbs and Franks, a tense investigation, emotional reunions and the beginning of Ducky’s lasting forensic legacy.

"NCIS: Origins" honors David McCallum in a tribute episode Oct. 28 featuring young "Ducky" Mallard's return. USA TODAY gets an exclusive sneak peek.

NCIS: Origins revealed more of the backstory of Special Agent Leroy Gibbs ( Austin Stowell) and NIS medical examiner Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard ( Adam Campbell) on tonight’s episode, and it was a surprise how much Gibbs’ friendship meant to Ducky and how little of it Gibbs remembered.

Origins Season 1 finale ended with Mariel Molino’s Cecilia “Lala” Dominguez getting caught in a car crash? Did she live or did she die? That was the questions fans were asking all summer, and it was only when Origins Season 2 premiered last week on the 2025 TV schedule that they learned Lala was still breathing.

NCIS: Origins Season 2, Episode 2, "Who by Fire," flips the script on what audiences know about Mark Harmon's Leroy Jethro Gibbs character.