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The Best Episodes of NCIS: Origins

Every episode of NCIS: Origins ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of NCIS: Origins!

Binge this in 1d 1h•Peaking at 9.3/10

In 1991, years prior to the events of NCIS, Leroy Jethro Gibbs starts his career as a newly minted special agent at the fledgling NCIS Camp Pendleton office, where he forges his place on a

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 14 - The Beautiful Ballad of Gary Callahan
    9.3/10(411 votes)

    #1 - The Beautiful Ballad of Gary Callahan

    S2:E14

    When the team's trusted K-9 agent, Gary Callahan, is critically wounded at a crime scene, NIS races to track down the culprit while a surprising pre-Pendleton chapter in Franks' life is revealed.

    Director:Diana Valentine
    Writers:David J. North, Daniel J. Egbert

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  2. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 3 - The Edge
    9.1/10(532 votes)

    #2 - The Edge

    S2:E3

    Young Ducky is sent to Camp Pendleton to shadow the team while they work a case and, in the process, he reconnects with Gibbs after the two crossed paths years earlier.

    Director:Patrick Cady
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 18 - Cecilia
    8.9/10(498 votes)

    #3 - Cecilia

    S1:E18

    When the murder of Pedro Hernandez is unearthed, Gibbs faces a reckoning. But when he needs his team most, the loyalty of one is brought into question.

    Director:Niels Arden Oplev
    Writer:Gina Lucita Monreal

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  4. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 18 - Hollywood Ending
    8.9/10(279 votes)

    #4 - Hollywood Ending

    S2:E18

    With the Camp Pendleton office in danger of being shut down, the team confronts an uncertain future.

    Director:Niels Arden Oplev
    Writer:Gina Lucita Monreal

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  5. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 10 - Blue Bayou
    8.8/10(644 votes)

    #5 - Blue Bayou

    S1:E10

    As Leroy Jethro Gibbs prepares for his first Christmas without his wife and daughter, flashbacks reveal the unlikely journey that led to his first day on the job as a special agent.

    Director:John Terlesky
    Writers:David J. North, Gina Lucita Monreal, Brendan Fehily

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  6. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 12 - The Gambler
    8.6/10(305 votes)

    #6 - The Gambler

    S2:E12

    When the NIS Regional Director tries to transfer Mary Jo, she reconnects with an old friend from Atlantic City to help investigate the roadside deaths of two Marines.

    Director:Lionel Coleman
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of NCIS: Origins

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  7. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 9 - Vivo o Muerto
    8.5/10(514 votes)

    #7 - Vivo o Muerto

    S1:E9

    The case of a missing woman who disappeared after a night of clubbing with a Navy seaman takes the team to Mexico, where they learn of a possible connection to Gibbs' past.

    Director:Loren Yaconelli
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 10 - Lean on Me
    8.5/10(296 votes)

    #8 - Lean on Me

    S2:E10

    When a marine captain shows up at Camp Pendleton exhibiting symptoms of a fatal virus, NIS goes on lockdown and Gibbs is forced to take charge. As panic spreads, the team races to determine whether it really is a deadly outbreak or something else entirely.

    Director:Patrick Cady
    Writer:Gina Lucita Monreal

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  9. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 13 - Homeward Bound
    8.5/10(297 votes)

    #9 - Homeward Bound

    S2:E13

    When Dr. Tango is arrested for stealing human remains from a national park, Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard returns to assist the team in proving his innocence.

    Director:Jessica Lowrey
    Writers:Gina Lucita Monreal, Margarita Matthews

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  10. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 15 - Johnny B. Goode
    8.4/10(252 votes)

    #10 - Johnny B. Goode

    S2:E15

    Lala’s determination to get Manny out of gang life lands the team in the middle of a turf war.

    Director:Anthony Hemingway
    Writer:Gina Lucita Monreal

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  11. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 17 - Rule 13
    8.4/10(239 votes)

    #11 - Rule 13

    S2:E17

    Wheeler takes command when a car bomb goes off outside NIS headquarters. Also, the truth behind Franks’ distaste for lawyers is revealed.

    Director:Jessica Lowrey
    Writers:Gina Lucita Monreal, Jai Jamison, Ryan Lee

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  12. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 5 - Funny How Time Slips Away (I)
    8.3/10(398 votes)

    #12 - Funny How Time Slips Away (I)

    S2:E5

    Gibbs and the NIS team investigate the small-town death of a naval officer, but struggle to come up with justice. The crossover continues on NCIS S23E05 Now and Then (II).

    Director:Niels Arden Oplev
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 8 - End of the Road
    8.3/10(319 votes)

    #13 - End of the Road

    S2:E8

    When Lala’s favorite CI is shot, the team joins forces with Oceanside PD to determine who was behind the attack. Also, Franks visits his brother Mason at the compound, and Gibbs’ relationship with Diane is tested when she gets a job in Los Angeles.

    Director:Loren Yaconelli
    Writer:Gina Lucita Monreal

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  14. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 16 - Who's Gonna Drive You Home?
    8.3/10(238 votes)

    #14 - Who's Gonna Drive You Home?

    S2:E16

    While Gibbs and Lala grow closer on a case, Gibbs’ long-distance relationship with Diane is further tested by the arrival of an unexpected guest.

    Director:Loren Yaconelli
    Writer:Ron McGee

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  15. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 15 - From the Ashes
    8.2/10(389 votes)

    #15 - From the Ashes

    S1:E15

    The team investigates the brutal murder of a military sergeant found burned in her car, a case Franks suspects could have a connection to the assault of his estranged wife.

    Director:Hanelle M. Culpepper
    Writer:Margarita Matthews

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  16. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 17 - Darlin', Don't Refrain
    8.2/10(374 votes)

    #16 - Darlin', Don't Refrain

    S1:E17

    After the shocking developments in the Sandman case, the team works with the FBI to investigate further; while Wheeler struggles to hold onto his job, his family reaches a crisis point.

    Director:Pamela Romanowsky
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 1 - The Funky Bunch
    8.2/10(391 votes)

    #17 - The Funky Bunch

    S2:E1

    Gibbs and Franks investigate the disappearance of a young Marine connected to a mysterious compound with a charismatic leader, and Lala’s fate is revealed.

    Director:Niels Arden Oplev
    Writer:Gina Lucita Monreal

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  18. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 4 - No Man Left Behind
    8.2/10(352 votes)

    #18 - No Man Left Behind

    S2:E4

    Tensions rise when Franks’ estranged older brother, Mason, blows into town, desperate for help after hitting rock bottom. Also, the team investigates the robbery of a Navy bank while Lala, still struggling after her accident, makes a decision about her future.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 4 - All's Not Lost
    8.1/10(539 votes)

    #19 - All's Not Lost

    S1:E4

    Still grieving the loss of his wife and daughter, Gibbs helps the team work a case involving a missing girl. The moment that irrevocably changed Gibbs' life is revealed.

    Director:Hanelle M. Culpepper
    Writers:Michael J. Ballin, Thomas Aguilar

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  20. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 11 - Flight of Icarus
    8.1/10(430 votes)

    #20 - Flight of Icarus

    S1:E11

    The team investigates the death of a famed Marine commander's son, while a pivotal part of Franks' past involving his family is revealed.

    Director:Ruben Garcia
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 13 - Monsoon
    8.1/10(432 votes)

    #21 - Monsoon

    S1:E13

    The team investigates the brutal murder of a veteran who fell on hard times after serving in Vietnam, leading Franks to reflect on his own struggles following the war. Also, Gibbs considers a new path forward.

    Director:Hanelle M. Culpepper
    Writer:Gina Lucita Monreal

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  22. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 14 - To Have and to Hold
    8.1/10(417 votes)

    #22 - To Have and to Hold

    S1:E14

    The team works the case of an investment advisor found dead shortly after her release from prison. Also, Mary Jo is left reeling by an unexpected development in her personal life.

    Director:Diana Valentine
    Writer:Shalisha Francis

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  23. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 6 - Happy Birthday
    8.1/10(315 votes)

    #23 - Happy Birthday

    S2:E6

    When an anonymous tip leads to the discovery of a young Marine’s body at a chilling crime scene, Randy believes it could be connected to a previous case where a coin was left in the victim’s throat. Also, Franks tries to track down priceless packages meant for his brother, Mason.

    Director:Lionel Coleman
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 9 - Fools Rush In
    8.1/10(280 votes)

    #24 - Fools Rush In

    S2:E9

    As the team discovers Gibbs’ drunken Vegas elopement with Diane, the newlyweds contemplate their future. Also, the team investigates a fatal movie theater bombing with a connection to the Pruitt compound where Mason is staying.

    Director:Diana Valentine
    Writer:Margarita Matthews

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  25. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 11 - Feelin' Alright?
    8.0/10(293 votes)

    #25 - Feelin' Alright?

    S2:E11

    When a lieutenant’s water-logged body is discovered with a potential connection to an international smuggling ring, NIS Panama agents are called in to assist, and Gibbs comes face-to-face with an old nemesis: Special Agent Dwayne Pride. Once the two are assigned to a dangerous undercover mission together, Gibbs must find a way to move on from their past.

    Director:Hanelle M. Culpepper
    Writer:Ron McGee

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Beautiful Ballad of Gary Callahan" is the best rated episode of "NCIS: Origins". It scored 9.3/10 based on 411 votes. Directed by Diana Valentine and written by David J. North, Daniel J. Egbert, it aired on 4/7/2026. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Edge".