The Enigmatic Rule 91: What Boat Type Is It?

In the CBS show NCIS, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Mark Harmon, has a set of rules by which he lives and works. One of these rules, Rule 91, is When you decide to walk away, don't look back. In the season 18 finale, Gibbs uses this rule as the name for his latest boat. At the end of the episode, the boat explodes with Gibbs in it, but he survives.

Rule 91 is the name of Leroy Jethro Gibbs' boat in NCIS

The choice to name his boat Rule 91 is significant and self-explanatory. In the Season 18 finale, Gibbs is kicked off the force and uses Rule 91 to conduct his own off-the-books investigation into a serial killer, indicating his intention to leave his old life behind. However, his boat explodes in the final moments of the episode, giving the boat's name a deeper and more metaphorical meaning.

In the Season 19 premiere, "Blood in the Water," Gibbs survives the explosion of the Rule 91 and reunites with former NCIS team members, including McGee (Sean Murray/Timothy McGee). McGee expresses his relief that Gibbs is alive but shares his negative opinion of Rule 91 as both a boat name and a concept. He believes it violates Rule Number 1: "Never screw over your partner."

However, Gibbs counters that their partnership no longer exists since he has been removed from the team, rendering Rule 91 valid in this context. This exchange reflects the dynamic between Gibbs and the NCIS team, as well as between Mark Harmon and the show itself, as rumors circulated about his potential departure from the series.

The boat's name, Rule 91, takes on a symbolic significance within the narrative arc of the show, mirroring the character's journey and the actor's real-life considerations. It adds depth to the story and invites speculation about the future direction of the series.

The name references Gibbs' rule: When you decide to walk away, don't look back

The name "Rule 91" references Gibbs' rule: "When you decide to walk away, don't look back". This rule was introduced in the Season 18 finale of the long-running show 'NCIS', in an episode also titled "Rule 91". The rule itself is one of many that the character Leroy Jethro Gibbs (played by Mark Harmon) lives by and imparts to those around him.

In the context of the show, Gibbs had been kicked off the force and was conducting his own off-the-books investigation into a serial killer. The choice to name his boat "Rule 91" suggests that he was planning on leaving his old life behind for good. However, his boat exploded in the final moments of the Season 18 finale, giving the boat's name a deeper and more metaphorical meaning.

The rule and the boat feature prominently in the Season 19 premiere, "Blood in the Water", where Gibbs survives the explosion and reunites with former NCIS team members, including McGee (Sean Murray/Timothy McGee). Despite McGee's reservations about Rule 91, both as a concept and a boat name, Gibbs points out that their partnership no longer applies since he has been kicked off the team. This change in circumstances also appears to have altered Gibbs' plans, as he is now amenable to working with his former colleagues to track down the serial killer.

The back-and-forth between the characters in this instance seems to mirror Harmon's own supposed relationship with the show. Rumours had been circulating that Harmon was planning his exit from "NCIS", and he only agreed to return in a limited capacity when he learned that the show would be cancelled without him. Thus, both on the show and in real life, Rule 91 has taken on a special significance, with Harmon and his character Gibbs appearing ready to break the rule and walk away (or sail away) for good.

The boat explodes in the season 18 finale

The boat in question is Leroy Jethro Gibbs' boat from the show NCIS. In the season 18 finale, the boat, named 'Rule 91', explodes.

The events leading up to the explosion are shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Gibbs, suspended from his role as an NCIS agent, is conducting an off-the-books investigation into a serial killer with investigative reporter Marcie Warren. Despite warnings that they are being followed and the discovery of bugs in their basements, the pair continue their pursuit of the killer. Gibbs, who has been building a boat in his basement, names it 'Rule 91', reflecting his mindset at the time: "When you decide to walk away, don't look back".

In the final scene of the season 18 finale, Gibbs takes his boat out onto the lake for its maiden voyage. However, the boat explodes, leaving viewers wondering if Gibbs has perished in the blast. In a twist, Gibbs is seen swimming away from the wreckage, indicating his survival. This sets the stage for his return in season 19, where he reunites with his former NCIS team members and continues the hunt for the serial killer.

The explosion of Gibbs' boat serves as a pivotal moment in the show, not only impacting the narrative arc but also potentially symbolising the lead actor Mark Harmon's rumoured departure from the series. The fate of Gibbs and the significance of Rule 91 continue to unfold in the subsequent season, as the character navigates his relationship with his former team and their ongoing investigation.

The boat is replaced by a complete boat in season 19

The boat being replaced by a complete boat in season 19 of "NCIS" is a significant development, and it's not just any boat, but Gibbs' boat, named "Rule 91". This boat plays a pivotal role in the narrative arc of the show's 18th and 19th seasons.

In Season 18, specifically in Episode 16, titled "Rule 91", Gibbs' boat is introduced and named. The boat appears complete, and Gibbs, played by Mark Harmon, decides to name it "Rule 91", a rule he reveals to Bishop: "When you decide to walk away, don't look back." This rule takes on a deeper meaning as Gibbs had been suspended from the team and was conducting his own off-the-books investigation into a serial killer, indicating his intention to leave his old life behind.

However, in a shocking twist, the boat is blown up in the season finale, with Gibbs surviving the explosion. This event sets the stage for Season 19, titled "Blood in the Water", where Gibbs reunites with his former NCIS team members to continue the investigation. The replacement of the boat in Season 19 allows the narrative to continue exploring the implications of Rule 91 and the impact of Gibbs' decision to walk away from the team.

The new boat becomes a symbol of Gibbs' renewed involvement with the team and the investigation. It serves as a visual reminder of his temporary departure and return, mirroring the ebb and flow of his relationship with the NCIS team. The replacement boat also adds a layer of intrigue to the show, as viewers are left wondering if Gibbs will truly be able to walk away, or if he will be drawn back into the fold, breaking Rule 91.

The replacement of the boat in Season 19 is more than just a change of scenery; it represents the evolving nature of Gibbs' character and his relationship with his team. It becomes a tangible manifestation of the show's narrative arc, allowing viewers to witness not only the physical replacement of the boat but also the emotional journey of Gibbs and the impact of his decisions on those around him.

Fans are baffled by how Gibbs got the boat out of his basement

Fans of the CBS police procedural series NCIS have long been baffled by how the character Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Mark Harmon, got his boat out of his basement. This question was finally answered in the season 19 episode "Great Wide Open", in which FBI Agent Parker Alden ventures into Gibbs' basement and discovers a cinder block wall with a boat-shaped hole. This reveals that Gibbs would sledgehammer the wall each time he needed to get a boat through and then patch it up.

This revelation brought an end to a long-running joke in the show, which first arose in season 1 when Abby Scuito tells Tim McGee to search for cracks in the floor and walls. Over the years, various characters have wondered and asked Gibbs about this, and he has even been given nuts" theories, including the use of movable walls, pulley systems, and a coal tunnel. In one episode, Gibbs gave a partial answer to this question, saying, "break the bottle".

The resolution to this mystery was somewhat overshadowed by another major moment in the episode, as Gibbs ultimately bowed out of the show, opting to remain in Alaska instead of rejoining the team.

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