Is Leroy Jethro Gibbs America’s Favorite Father Figure?
By Dr. Meg
Family remains uppermost in the plot-lines of NCIS. No question
exists here about who wears the pants, or who makes the decisions.
Simultaneously, women integrate successfully with men, catching criminals and
abiding by the same regulations of the US Navy. So, does it take a military
organization to cut the nonsense and cut to the chase, too? Or do viewers just
enjoy a first-rate fantasy, no matter their registration?
The major theme of the show is reinforced every time Gibbs gives
Abby a hug, every time he defends Ziva, clips DiNozzo with a love-pat, and
praises Timmy for his MIT expertise. Regularly, Gibbs returns to his basement
workshop, just like a Father Knows Best from the fifties, to work out his
frustration in private. He faithfully keeps his cool while negotiating with his
new female director (and old girlfriend) just like a responsible parent sharing
marital responsibilities for children who perennially need a little growing up.
Yes, Gibbs carries the burden of divorces in his past, but he
always saves times to send a child a message: We’re here, buddy, and never
forget it. The family theme reaches an apex, however, every time Gibbs’ own
script dad turns up. Then, one dad stands right beside another: The famous
father figure from the show on surviving hard times during the Great
Depression, The Waltons. As Jackson Gibbs, Ralph Waite even carries the same
mournful profile. But as Jethro, Mark Harmon even mentors a writer, just like
his script dad. So, while the one show circles into the other, each production
pays tribute to those who do not forget.
As fathers go, the two men stay on mission, come hard times,
terrorism, or grief. The ship of state stays in the basement. The women know
where the men are—and that problems resolve within the hour. If only the US
Congress could get this discipline into their system, there just might be more
than People’s Choice Awards to celebrate.
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