NCIS: Origins backdrop
Crime•Drama

The Worst Episodes of NCIS: Origins

Every episode of NCIS: Origins ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of NCIS: Origins!

Binge this in 1d 1h•Peaking at 10.0/10

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

Airs on
CBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons2

All12

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
    Click to reveal
    NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 18 - Hollywood Ending
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #1 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 7 - Crazy Little Thing Called Love
    1.0/10(1 votes)

    #2 - Crazy Little Thing Called Love

    S2:E7

    The team investigates the murder of a Marine who had recently been handpicked for a classified mission. Also, Wheeler’s personal life is upended, Lala is thrown by unexpected news from Vera, and Gibbs and Diane double-date with Randy and his wife.

    Director:Jann Turner
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 1 - The Funky Bunch
    5.0/10(3 votes)

    #3 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 2 - Who By Fire
    6.0/10(3 votes)

    #4 - Who By Fire

    S2:E2

    When the body of a college swimmer washes up on the beach, the team must determine if it was an accident or murder. Also, Gibbs prepares for his first interrogation.

    Director:Jessica Lowrey
    Writer:Matthew T. Brown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 6 - Happy Birthday
    6.3/10(3 votes)

    #5 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 1 - Enter Sandman (1)
    6.9/10(9 votes)

    #6 - Enter Sandman (1)

    S1:E1

    Gibbs starts his career as a newly minted special agent at the fledgling NCIS Camp Pendleton office, where he forges his place on a gritty ragtag team.

    Director:Niels Arden Oplev
    Writers:David J. North, Gina Lucita Monreal

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of NCIS: Origins

    READ
  7. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 8 - End of the Road
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    #7 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 5 - Funny How Time Slips Away (I)
    7.1/10(4 votes)

    #8 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 4 - No Man Left Behind
    7.2/10(4 votes)

    #9 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 5 - Last Rites
    7.3/10(6 votes)

    #10 - Last Rites

    S1:E5

    With the countdown on to an execution, Franks races to extricate the location of a missing body from a death row inmate and honor a promise he made to the victim's sister before time runs out.

    Director:Lionel Coleman
    Writer:Margarita Matthews

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 12 - Touchstones
    7.4/10(8 votes)

    #11 - Touchstones

    S1:E12

    When the evidence room is broken into and significant cash goes missing, the team looks into a connection to a recent case. Also, Lala opens up to Gibbs, and Kowalski struggles to move forward.

    Director:Anya Adams
    Writers:David J. North, Gina Lucita Monreal, Brendan Fehily

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 13 - Monsoon
    7.4/10(7 votes)

    #12 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 6 - Incognito
    7.6/10(5 votes)

    #13 - Incognito

    S1:E6

    Gibbs goes undercover for the first time with Lala as NIS works the case of a dead Navy seaman who may have been sharing top-secret intel that poses a threat to national security. Also, Lala struggles with her place on the team and an unexpected development in her personal life.

    Director:Pete Chatmon
    Writer:Shalisha Francis

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 7 - One Flew Over
    7.6/10(5 votes)

    #14 - One Flew Over

    S1:E7

    NIS investigates the murder of a dementia-afflicted Jane Doe. Also, flashbacks reveal the first time Gibbs met Franks

    Director:Jessica Lowrey
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 15 - From the Ashes
    7.7/10(6 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 3 - The Edge
    7.7/10(5 votes)

    #16 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 14 - To Have and to Hold
    7.8/10(6 votes)

    #17 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 16 - Bugs
    7.8/10(6 votes)

    #18 - Bugs

    S1:E16

    Vera receives an unexpected call from Bugs, who claims he's ready to answer more questions from prison after being identified as the sniper known as Sandman.

    Director:Jessica Lowrey
    Writers:Michael J. Ballin, Thomas Aguilar, Jennifer Corbett

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 3 - Bend, Don't Break
    7.9/10(7 votes)

    #19 - Bend, Don't Break

    S1:E3

    A murder near Camp Pendleton leads Gibbs and the team to a suburban mall in San Diego, where Gibbs takes matters into his own hands. Jackson Gibbs pays Franks an unexpected visit.

    Director:John Terlesky
    Writer:Jon Worley

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 2 - Enter Sandman (2)
    8.0/10(9 votes)

    #20 - Enter Sandman (2)

    S1:E2

    Gibbs and the gritty ragtag team continue their investigation at the fledgling NCIS Camp Pendleton office.

    Director:Niels Arden Oplev
    Writers:David J. North, Gina Lucita Monreal

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 8 - Sick as Our Secrets
    8.0/10(5 votes)

    #21 - Sick as Our Secrets

    S1:E8

    Gibbs and the team investigate the case of a Navy priest who was killed in the confessional booth and may have been targeted by mistake. Meanwhile, Randy shows Gibbs the ropes of working a protective detail while struggling with a personal situation.

    Director:Edward Ornelas
    Writers:Stephen Day, Daniel J. Egbert

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 17 - Darlin', Don't Refrain
    8.0/10(6 votes)

    #22 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 9 - Vivo o Muerto
    8.2/10(5 votes)

    #23 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 4 - All's Not Lost
    8.3/10(7 votes)

    #24 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 11 - Flight of Icarus
    8.3/10(7 votes)

    #25 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Worst Episodes Summary

"Hollywood Ending" is the worst rated episode of "NCIS: Origins". It scored /10 based on 0 votes. Directed by Niels Arden Oplev and written by Gina Lucita Monreal, it aired on 5/5/2026. This episode scored 1.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Crazy Little Thing Called Love".