Critic’s Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
3.5
I guess it’s true that the boots make the man, and NCIS: Origins has got one hell of a man in Mike Franks. Are we still sure Gibbs is the protagonist of this series?
It seems like the show is doing the smart thing and giving audiences what they want, and that’s more of fan-favorite Mike Franks. Can you blame us? The mustache alone makes the character iconic.
Still, as far as episodes go, this was probably the weakest one of NCIS: Origins. I’m not saying it was bad, but this one was light on the drama compared to earlier episodes.
Also, what is the main plot of the season? Now that we’re well past Gibbs getting revenge for his murdered family, what’s the over-arching plot?
There is still half of NCIS: Origins Season 1 left with no general direction.
The Look into Mike Franks’s Past Was Appreciated but Hardly Necessary
As I said above, this was one of the weakest episodes, meaning it was very easy on viewers for once and did not have many tear-worthy moments. However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
It’s possible the writers wanted to ease viewers back into all the drama at the NIS. Considering how intense the last few episodes were before the winter break, I think we can all do with an easy viewing experience.
It was nice to get a little peek into Mike’s backstory, but if I’m being honest, “Flight of Icarus” probably would have been fine without it — hear me out.
The only thing we learned about Mike’s past is that he had an older brother and mother with whom he ran a farm until he was drafted into the military. Honestly, the show could have covered that in a conversation.
However, NCIS: Origins has a habit of putting those flashbacks to good use, as we have seen with the countless looks at Gibbs’s emotional past. So, if the show continues with that pattern, there could be a lot more of Kyle Schmid‘s Mike Franks in store for us.
Do you know what would be a great flashback for many viewers? Whatever happened to Tish. Seriously, the show has dropped multiple hints that something traumatic happened to her, but with zero follow-through as to what that something was.
I’m sure we’ll get to it eventually, much like that box of rejected boots Mike keeps in the garage. Who keeps a box of shoes they don’t want?
At least give them to Gibbs now that he’s back in the dating pool.
NCIS: Origins Has Finally Stopped Force-Feeding Viewers a Non-Existent Romance
So, one thing that many viewers have taken issue with, yours truly included, is the way NCIS: Origins has been forcing these moments between Mariel Molino’s (Promised Land) Lala and Gibbs that are supposed to build chemistry.
NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 11 finally felt like those two have entered a “will they, won’t they” territory in a believable way. I could see them getting romantic now.
However, that would have to happen after Lala gets her crap together. Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten about Lala’s little self-destructive streak.
Remember how she cheated on her boyfriend in NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 6? Yeah, all that episode did was give us more questions as to why Lala is the way she is.
Suffice it to say that audiences want a more transparent look into Lala so we can decide for ourselves if she and Gibbs are a good match.
This is especially true now that Randy is trying to set Gibbs up with his wife’s friends. Also, I double-checked, and none of Gibbs’s ex-wives are named Amanda. There’s still a chance for Lala.
Lala and Gibbs (Austin Stowell) are at their best in the workplace when they’re trying to crack a case. From what I’ve seen, that’s where they both shine and are likely to see the best versions of each other.
NCIS: Origins Is a How-To Guide on the Different Levels of Trauma and the Many Faces It Wears
Speaking of cases, this one was low on the violence but high on the emotional trauma. Funnily enough, regardless of which direction the case went, it was still going to be heart-wrenching either way.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure at first if it was a suicide or a homicide. There were plenty of clues to go either way with it. However, there was one line that nailed the whole case for me.
When the father of the victim said, “He always had a smile on his face,” I knew the son had killed himself. Forgive me for getting somber for a moment, but there’s a saying that stuck with me throughout this episode.
They say that when you tell a joke, look for the person laughing the hardest because they are usually the ones hurting the most.
Pain and sadness aren’t always tears and outward signs of emotional turmoil. A lot of times, it’s a smile that doesn’t reach the eyes. That’s how I knew this case was a suicide.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t hurt to adopt Mike Franks’s traits. As Mark Harmon said in the voice-over at the end, Mike can look into another person’s eyes, see their pain, and take that on, too.
With Gibbs’ Revenge Complete, What’s Left Story Wise For NCIS: Origins?
The real question now is, where is NCIS: Origins going to take its story? NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 9 is still very fresh in many viewers’ minds with that Matlock-level twist.
Gibbs let Lala go on a wild goose chase for a man he had already killed months ago. While it was crazy entertaining and amazing television, what’s left?
There is currently no overarching plot for the story. For now, it will be episodic cases until something comes up.
I’m not mad about it, though, because the show takes on some pretty exciting cases. Remember the one with the priest in NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 8? Who knew Randy was clocking so many hours at the gym?
What about Vera and her profiling program? By the end of “Vivo o Muerto,” she was looking into Bugs, but of course, the episode after was one big flashback about Gibbs and his surrogate big sister, Ruth.
Can we just get an episode that throws a spotlight on Mary Jo?
I feel like she is the only character that hasn’t gotten her own moment, which seems disrespectful to such an iconic character.
We got a whole episode about Mike Franks’s boots without so much as a glance at Mary Jo’s killer footwear. I’m just saying.
Whatever the series has planned, I’m sure it will be good and twisty, with a few nostalgic throwbacks to classic NCIS characters.
Either way, I’m here for Mike and that mustache. Where’s the scene of him delicately brushing his crumb catcher?
Do you want more flashbacks into Mike Franks’s past?
What do you think the story will focus on now that Gibbs has had his revenge?
Drop a comment below to let me know what you liked about this episode, and join me again when I review another episode of NCIS: Origins!
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