Did NCIS: Origins Just Kill Off Gary the Dog in a Shocking Stabbing?
NCIS: Origins left audiences stunned when Gary Callahan the dog faced a stabbing while on duty — but did he make it?
In the episode aired on Tuesday, April 7, flashbacks reveal how Gary entered Franks’ (Kyle Schmid) life. In present-day scenes, they pursue a suspect, during which the dog is grievously stabbed. The injury ultimately severed several nerves controlling his hind leg movement, leading the vet to believe that he might never walk again.
The episode concluded with a juxtaposition of Gary’s induction ceremony against his retirement, where he managed to rise and receive his medal for bravery and valor. (Gary will continue as an agent, dividing his time between Franks on weekends and Herm during weekdays.)
“Maybe it was sheer determination, divine intervention, or both, but in that moment, Gary Callahan stood up and took his first steps — for the second time,” recounted Mark Harmon’s Gibbs in a voiceover.
NCIS: Origins, which debuted in October 2024, focuses on a younger Gibbs — originally portrayed by Mark Harmon — set years before the events of NCIS. The new series unfolds less than a year after the tragic loss of Gibbs’ wife and daughter. In its first season, Gibbs embarks on a new journey as a special agent at the NIS Camp Pendleton office while grappling with the repercussions of losing his family.
“Our ultimate goal was to create a show that both fans of the original series would love and feel satisfied by, while also being accessible for new viewers,” explained cocreator Gina Monreal to Us Weekly in April 2025. “Viewers can join in without confusion and truly connect with our characters and their arcs. We’ve always approached it this way. I believe we’ve succeeded.”
She further elaborated: “We’re very committed to adhering to canon [events]. We’re strict about that because we want to honor the original series. We have both worked on the original and cherish it. However, we enjoy branching out to explore our new characters and their emotional journeys.”
At the time, Monreal and cocreator David J. North discussed their successful exploration of everything they envisioned for season 1 — but mentioned one idea they wish to delve into further.
“We could have featured more of Special Agent Gary Callahan — or K-9 Special Agent — in the narrative. We certainly need more flashbacks,” North remarked. “Perhaps that’s the next spinoff: NCIS: Gary Callahan.”
NCIS: Origins airs on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on CBS.
