NCIS: By the way, why does Gibbs wear a medical bracelet in every episode of the series?

With its 20 seasons, NCIS is one of the monuments of the small screen. After being on the air for so long, you might think we know everything about the procedural series that debuted on CBS in 2003, and yet… like, do you know why Gibbs wears a medical bracelet in the 435 episodes he appears in?

From the very first episode of the series, Mark Harmon was a sensation in the skin of Leroy Jethro Gibbs. While the actor left the NCIS spotlight during Season 19, preferring to continue working on the series behind the scenes as a producer, he’s still talked about today.

Although the show focused mainly on investigations, Gibbs’ personal life was often touched upon and his journey explored. But despite all the details of his life — we still have a lot to learn thanks to a spin-off about his youth that’s currently in development — many wondered why the agent always wore a medical bracelet.

Fan theories then spread. Possible causes: previous health problems, a blow he received, all the injuries sustained during his career, including a coma after the explosion, or even an allergy to a particular drug. However, the medical bracelet never appeared in the series, and for good reason: it has nothing to do with Gibbs, but it has everything. Mark Harmon You.

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The bracelet belonged to the actor’s father, Jackson Harmon, who died on March 15, 1990. Since then, he has always carried his memory. The series also paid tribute to the actor’s late father by giving him the same name as Gibbs’ father in fiction. Jackson Gibbs was portrayed by Ralph Waite, who died in 2014 at the age of 85, and was also honored by the show in Season 11.

21st season NCISReduced due to Hollywood strikes, it will be released on small screens on February 12.

In the meantime, the series is still available to stream on Prime Video.