Spoiler Alert for NCIS: Origins season 1, episode 6, "Incognito"CBS devastated NCIS: Hawai'i's cancelation was a mistake, but despite the calls for the network to walk back on its decision to pull the plug on it, CBS stuck to its choice.

The NCIS franchise spinoff.

NCIS: Origins Takes Over NCIS: Hawai'i's Timeslot

NCIS: Origins' Timeslot Is Controversial

NCIS: Hawai'i's cancelation ahead of season 4 was preceded with the development of another offshoot — NCIS: Origins. The franchise's first prequel story debuted in September 2024 AND explores the backstory of Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the agency. While the shows have very little overlap, NCIS: Origins taking over NCIS: Hawai'i's former timeslot created some commotion, especially among fans who weren't thrilled with the cancelation in the first place. The new prequel series airs after the original NCIS on Monday nights when Hawai'i used to air new episodes.

Ironically, NCIS: Origins season 1, episode 6, "Incognito," highlighted the importance of strong female representation in the NCIS franchise.

NCIS: Origins taking over for NCIS: Hawai'i in CBS' programming roster has made the cancelation worse. Critics of the decision point out that while NCIS: Origins builds on existing lore within the NCIS franchise, NCIS: Hawai'i was more progressive, bringing more to the table regarding representation and diversity. Ironically, NCIS: Origins season 1, episode 6, "Incognito," highlighted the importance of strong female representation in the franchise. Unfortunately, the series replaced the franchise's most valuable resource for said representation.

NCIS: Origins Episode 6 Tackles Lala's Struggles To Excel As A Woman In Mike Franks' Team

Mike Franks Is Historically Sexist In NCIS

"Incognito" hones in on Lala Dominguez (Mariel Molino), the muse of Gibbs' NCIS: Origins story. In his narration as older Gibbs, Mark Harmon discusses how she felt like she was in a box, with episode 6 exploring how Lala struggles to excel as a woman on Mike Franks' NIS team. The previous episode highlighted how the leader overlooked Vera Strickland (Diany Rodriguez) despite previously working together. After being called out, Mike eventually helps his former partner with the endeavor. Sadly, him successfully garnering funding after Vera failed further highlights women's unique challenges at NIS.

The developing tension between Mike Franks and the women he works with is no surprise, considering the character's introduction to the NCIS franchise. Gibbs' mentor first appeared in NCIS season 3, episode 24, "Hiatus Part II," one of the NCIS. NCIS Director Jenny Shepard (Lauren Holly) called Franks to help restore Gibbs' memory, and he was necessarily rude. When he learns that Jenny is the director, he comments negatively in disbelief regarding her gender. Thus, NCIS revealed decades ago that Franks was sexist. As NCIS: Origins grapples with that, it exposes an existing issue within the franchise.

NCIS: Origins Shows How Important Jane Tennant's Story Is In NCIS: Hawai'i

Lala's Struggle Highlights The Need For NCIS: Hawai'i

Honing in on how women have been underrepresented in NCIS, NCIS: Origins exacerbates the demand for a strong female lead like Jane Tennant. Lachey's character was the first female to lead an NCIS show, and she lost the spotlight when NCIS: Origins came on the scene. Lachey was also the first Asian American to lead an installment in the franchise. She brought her intersectional experience to her character, which deeply enriched the series. As a diverse character, Jane Tennant's unfinished storylines make NCIS: Hawai'i's cancelation even worse. Now, her cliffhanger narrative will likely never be resolved.

Lachey's character was just one aspect of what NCIS: Hawai'i offered, which set it apart from other series in the franchise. The Island-based spinoff also featured rich experiences within the LGBTQ+ community, prominently featuring an intimate, loving relationship between two female NCIS agents. The romance between Lucy Tara (Yasmine Al-Bustami) and Kate Whistler (Tori Anderson) enhanced the rich diversity that NCIS: Hawai'i brought. The new NCIS: Origins spinoff underlines the need for more female representation, such as women in positions of power like Jane Tennant, exacerbating the loss of NCIS: Hawai'i.