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One Time NCIS' Gibbs Didn't Quite Catch a Marvel Joke, and It Was Hilarious

One Time NCIS' Gibbs Didn't Quite Catch a Marvel Joke, and It Was Hilarious
Image credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, CBS

Did Gibbs just become an Iron Man fan?

We all know and love the characters from NCIS, especially the stoic and often serious Leroy Jethro Gibbs. But even our favorite characters have their moments of being out of the loop.

In one hilarious scene from NCIS season 13 episode 12 titled Sister City (Part 1), there's a fun instance where Gibbs doesn't quite catch a Marvel joke.

In the episode, Director Vance makes a reference to Tony Stark, the tech genius and superhero from the Marvel universe, also known as Iron Man. He says, “I'm thinking it's time we bring Tony Stark in for questioning.” But Gibbs just blankly looks at him, letting us know that he has no idea who Iron Man is.

Trying to explain the joke to a puzzled Gibbs, Vance mentions that his son collects Iron Man figures. Gibbs simply responds that he seems to be collecting them now too.

One Time NCIS' Gibbs Didn't Quite Catch a Marvel Joke, and It Was Hilarious - image 1

Gibbs is a traditionalist. He's not one to keep up with the latest trends or fads. His world revolves around his work, his team, and his boat-building hobby. Plus let's face it, Gibbs belongs to a generation that might not be the primary audience for superhero movies. Yes, he has a daughter, but girls are commonly less into superheroes.

The Marvel reference isn’t the only standout moment of this episode. For those who might not be familiar with the episode's context, Sister City is a significant episode in NCIS history. Not only is it episode 12 of season 13, but it's also the first part of a crossover with the spin-off show, NCIS: New Orleans.

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The plot revolves around a mysterious case where passengers and the flight crew of a private plane are found dead due to poisoning. As the NCIS team delves deeper into the investigation, they collaborate with their New Orleans counterparts, leading to some intense and intriguing moments.

But in the middle of all the drama and tension, it's these fun and funny moments that make us smile and appreciate the show's appeal. Throughout its run, NCIS referenced other iconic movies and franchises, including The Godfather, Alien, Top Gun, and many others.