CBS’s NCIS: Origins, in its fledgling first season, seems intent on pulling a tricky double act: satisfying procedural cravings with a case-of-the-week while simultaneously feeding the “NCIS” faithful’s ravenous appetite for origin stories. “One Flew Over,” airing Monday, November 25th, attempts just that.
This week’s mystery revolves around a murdered Jane Doe complicated by the fact that she suffered from dementia. The Naval Investigative Service (NIS) agents, still finding their footing in this pre-“NCIS” world, face the unenviable task of identifying the victim and piecing together the events leading to her death, all while dealing with the sensitivities surrounding her condition. One suspects this won’t be a straightforward “whodunnit.”
However, the real meat for longtime fans, the stuff “Origins” seems built on, comes in the form of flashbacks detailing the initial encounter between a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs and his future mentor, Mike Franks. While the details remain scant, the very prospect of witnessing this pivotal moment is enough to pique the interest of anyone who’s spent even a casual Tuesday night with the original NCIS.
Will the emotional weight of the Jane Doe case overshadow the Gibbs/Franks backstory? Or will the flashback serve as a welcome respite from the grim realities of the investigation? The balance between these two narrative threads will likely determine the episode’s overall success. “One Flew Over” could be a delicate balancing act or a messy collision of tones. Tune in Monday at 10:00 PM EST on CBS to see if NCIS: Origins can pull it off. You can also stream the episode on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME or on-demand the next day with a Paramount+ Essential subscription.
