The upcoming episode of NCIS: Origins brings a major event for fans. Mark Harmon is returning to play Leroy Jethro Gibbs, a role he hasn’t performed since the start of this prequel series. The episode, titled “Funny How Time Slips Away,” is the first part of a special crossover with the modern-day NCIS mothership, connecting a past investigation with a present-day case.
Episode Release Date and Times
NCIS: Origins Season 2, Episode 5 is scheduled to air on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. The episode will broadcast on the CBS Television Network at 8:00 PM Eastern Time and 7:00 PM Central Time. For viewers who prefer streaming, the episode will be available on Paramount+. Premium subscribers can stream it live as it airs on CBS, while Essential plan subscribers can watch it on-demand the day after it premieres.
The release times for various time zones are listed below for international fans:
- USA (Pacific): 6:00 PM, November 11
- USA (Eastern): 9:00 PM, November 11
- Brazil (BRT): 10:00 PM, November 11
- United Kingdom (BST): 2:00 AM, November 12
- Central Europe (CET): 3:00 AM, November 12
- India (IST): 6:30 AM, November 12
- Philippines (PHT): 9:00 AM, November 12
- Australia (ACDT): 1:30 PM, November 12
A Special Guest Appearance and Crossover Plot
The highlight of the episode is the guest appearance by Mark Harmon as the older, retired Leroy Jethro Gibbs. While Austin Stowell plays the young Gibbs navigating his early career in the 1990s, Harmon’s return brings a narrative bridge between the past and present. The episode is confirmed to be the first part of a crossover event with the flagship NCIS series.
The official synopsis reveals the following plot: When a naval officer mysteriously dies in the 1990s, the young Gibbs and his team travel to the small dust-blown town of Serenity, California. There, they encounter residents who are hiding secrets and an uncooperative sheriff. The investigation is described as one that “will reverberate for decades,” directly setting up a case that will be unexpectedly reopened in the present day on the main NCIS show. To facilitate this event, the two shows will swap time slots for the night, with NCIS airing in the Origins time slot.
“When a naval officer mysteriously dies in the ‘90s, Gibbs and the team travel to the small dust-blown town of Serenity, Calif., where they encounter secret-harboring residents, an uncooperative sheriff and an investigation that will reverberate for decades.”
The Team Investigating the Case
The episode features the core cast of the prequel series, who portray the gritty NIS Camp Pendleton team. The main agents handling the case in Serenity will be:
- Austin Stowell as Young Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs
- Kyle Schmid as Special Agent Mike Franks, the team’s leader
- Mariel Molino as Special Agent Cecilia “Lala” Dominguez
- Diany Rodriguez as Special Agent Vera Strickland
- Caleb Foote as Special Agent Bernard “Randy” Randolf
- Tyla Abercrumbie as Field Operation Support Officer Mary Jo Hayes
Behind the Scenes and Broader Season Context
“Funny How Time Slips Away” is directed by Niels Arden Oplev and was written by Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North, who are also executive producers alongside Mark Harmon. The second season of NCIS: Origins has been delving deeper into the personal challenges of the team. The episode preceding this one, “No Man Left Behind,” focused on Mike Franks reconciling with his estranged brother, while Lala has been grappling with the aftermath of a severe car crash. This new episode continues the trend of blending personal stories with high-stakes cases.
Also Read: NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 4: A Brother in Need and a Navy Bank Heist
