NCIS: Origins shocked viewers by having Gary Callahan the dog get stabbed in the line of duty — but did he survive?
During the Tuesday, April 7, episode of the NCIS prequel, flashbacks shows how Gary came into Franks’ (Kyle Schmid) life. Then in present time they were chasing a suspect when the dog is badly stabbed. The blade ultimately damaged several nerves controlling the movement in his hind legs, which made the vet work that he won’t be able to walk again.
The episode ended with scenes from Gary’s induction ceremony vs. his retirement, which he got up to get his medal recognizing his courage and valor. (Gary will remain an agent where he will split time between Franks on the weekends and Herm on the workdays.)
“Maybe it was just grit or hell, or maybe it was a miracle, but in that moment, Gary Callahan stood up and took his first steps — for the second time,” Mark Harmon‘s Gibbs said in a voiceover.
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NCIS: Origins, which premiered in October 2024, follows a young Gibbs — a role originated by Mark Harmon — years prior to the events of NCIS. The new series picks up less than a year after Gibbs’ wife and daughter were killed. During season 1, Gibbs started a new job as a special agent at the NIS Camp Pendleton office while still dealing with the aftermath of losing his family.
“That was really our ultimate goal from the start was to make a show that the fans of the original show loved and felt satisfied by. But [it is] also [a show] that new viewers can come in from the beginning of NCIS: Origins,” cocreator Gina Monreal explained to Us Weekly in April 2025. “Viewers can jump in and not be confused and really get on board with our characters and their stories. We’ve always approached it from that point of view. I feel like we’ve succeeded.”
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She continued: “We’re really keen on sticking to canon [events]. We’re strict about that. We want to pay respect to the mothership. We both have written on the mothership and do love that show. But we also love branching out into our new characters and digging into their emotional lives.”
At the time, Monreal and cocreator David J. North talked about how they were able to explore everything they planned in season 1 — but there was one idea they want to expand on.
“Special Agent Gary Callahan — or K-9 Special Agent — we could have got more of him in there. So we need more flashbacks,” North quipped. “Maybe that’s the next spinoff. NCIS: Gary Callahan.”
NCIS: Origins airs Tuesdays to CBS at 9 p.m. ET.
