NCIS: Origins Episode 3 Recap and Ending Explained – The Mystery of Prado’s Men Stealing Guns

Set in 1991, NCIS: Origins serves as a prelude to the popular series NCIS. This drama, created by Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North, features notable performances from Austin Stowell, Mariel Molino, and Kyle Schmid.

The climax of episode 3, which aired on October 21, 2024, reveals that Gibbs was correct in his suspicions about Prado’s role in the weapon theft. Unfortunately, the NIS lacked sufficient evidence to detain him, prompting Leroy to take drastic action by cornering Prado, the security guard, in an elevator at the suburban mall where he worked.

It turns out Prado was involved with a gun smuggling operation, transporting firearms to a developing nation grappling with a dictatorship terrorizing its citizens.

Leroy not only captured Prado but also went against Frank’s orders, who had sidelined him after Jackson Gibbs expressed his disapproval of Leroy’s recruitment into NIS given his circumstances.

Leroy Gibbs Confronts Prado in NCIS: Origins Episode 3

In episode 3 of NCIS: Origins, the NIS agents face two intertwined investigations. One centers on the death of a young drug dealer, Emmett Sawyer, while the other involves several thefts at the local mall. With the assistance of security chief Prado, the agents apprehend Emmett’s accomplice, Dougie, during the mall incident.

After the mall heist, Leroy began to suspect Prado’s complicity in the crimes. Lacking concrete proof to question him formally, Leroy chose to act independently and ensnared Prado in the elevator, confirming his suspicions about Prado’s links to both incidents.

Prado was indeed part of a smuggling ring that illicitly shipped firearms from America to a struggling nation fighting against a repressive regime. Their deceptive tactics included hiding guns within toys. When one of the smugglers accidentally struck and killed Emmett, they attempted to cover it up.

Jackson Suspects Leroy’s True Motive for Joining NIS

Episode 3 of NCIS: Origins is packed with intense moments between Leroy and his father, Jackson Gibbs. Jackson confronted Mike Franks regarding the escape of Pedro Hernandez, the drug lord responsible for the deaths of Leroy’s wife and daughter, who fled to Mexico. His frustration extended to Franks for hiring Leroy as an NIS agent, claiming Leroy was headed for trouble.

Franks assessed the danger posed to Leroy in the field and opted to bench him, igniting Leroy’s anger, prompting him to confront his father. Jackson bluntly stated that he understood Leroy’s true reason for joining NIS.

He asserted,

“That sonuvab*tch killed Shannon and Kelly and ran to Mexico, and you’re just gonna let that go? No. You didn’t join NIS to become a cop, you joined to hunt him down — and not just to cuff him and walk away.”

Jackson Retrieves the ‘Tin of Rules’ from Leroy’s Trash

Following a heated exchange, Leroy urged Jackson to leave his home. The backstory between Jackson and Leroy paints a challenging relationship, especially after Jackson distanced himself following the tragic loss of Leroy’s family.

NCIS: Origins offers a deeper view of their dynamic as Jackson, before departing, retrieved the ‘tin of rules’ from the trash, a collection curated by Shannon. Aware that Leroy needs guidance as he navigates his role as a lawman, Jackson cautioned that seeking vengeance was not the path forward.

As part of his argument, Jackson declared,