In the NCIS universe, it was always fun to see Gibbs interrogate a suspect. He had his own way of doing things, starting off silently before slowly building up the scenarios in an effort to get his suspects to talk. However, how did he get as skilled as he was in the interrogation room? NCIS: Origins season 2, episode 2 dives into what it was like for Gibbs the first time he interrogated a suspect.
It didn’t start off so easily, as Gibbs was held back at first from doing one on his own. At first, it could be argued that they were avoiding another “Carl” situation. This was when an agent got sick all over a suspect’s shoes and was moved to a different department in NIS.
Gibbs wasn’t very forthcoming about his nerves, something his girlfriend Diane seemed unhappy with, as she just wanted to help. In an effort to give him some advice, Diane told him a story about when she started, and how she essentially took “the bull by the horns” in order to show her boss she was ready to sell houses above a certain asking price.
For the case they were working on, Gibbs ran with it. The team was investigating the death of a young man named Miguel Castillo, who was on a swimming team. All they had to go on was a scratch on his leg and the fact that he had been swimming with a rope around his waist that swimmers only used for practice on indoor pools.
What did Gibbs find difficult about doing interrogations on NCIS: Origins?
When Gibbs spotted one of his teammates, the captain Owen Hawkins, he saw a scratch on his leg similar to the victim’s. He decided to interrogate the young man, but when at him harder than necessary. Neither Lala nor Mikes were happy about this, but the interrogation gave them some more information that would help once Owen disappeared.
After forensics testing came back to determine there was drug residue on the bag Miguel had around his waist, they figured out that Miguel and Owen were drug running. The team found Owen as he headed to Mexico, finding him swimming in the ocean, and learned who was involved.
One of the assistant coaches had gotten them involved in their activities and from all appearances, Miguel’s death was a drowning that was eventually covered up in an attempt to conceal with drug trafficking.
In the end, Gibbs opened up to Diane, admitting communication is not something he is good at doing. Working at NIS and interrogating suspects is a lot for him to handle, so if he can’t do his entire job, who he is? Diane was a great to support to Gibbs here, showing how caring she was towards his needs.
Even though we know the eventual outcome for Gibbs and Diane, you can’t help but root for them. Diane has been caring to him, and Gibbs was comfortable enough to share a vulnerable moment.
This was a great look into how Gibbs would eventually get to become the interrogator we knew him to be in the NCIS universe. Season 2 is already off to a great start!
NCIS: Origins airs on CBS Tuesdays at 9/8c. New episodes are available the next day on Paramount+.