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The Best Episodes of NCIS: Origins Season 1

Every episode of NCIS: Origins Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of NCIS: Origins Season 1!

Binge this in 13h 10m•Peaking at 8.9/10

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
    NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 18 - Cecilia
    8.9/10(508 votes)

    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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  2. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 10 - Blue Bayou
    8.8/10(655 votes)

    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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  3. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 9 - Vivo o Muerto
    8.5/10(523 votes)

    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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  4. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 14 - To Have and to Hold
    8.2/10(426 votes)

    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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  5. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 15 - From the Ashes
    8.2/10(397 votes)

    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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  6. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 17 - Darlin', Don't Refrain
    8.2/10(382 votes)

    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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  7. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 4 - All's Not Lost
    8.1/10(549 votes)

    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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  8. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 11 - Flight of Icarus
    8.1/10(440 votes)

    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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  9. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 13 - Monsoon
    8.1/10(441 votes)

    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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  10. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 12 - Touchstones
    7.9/10(429 votes)

    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

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  11. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 7 - One Flew Over
    7.8/10(472 votes)

    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

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  12. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 8 - Sick as Our Secrets
    7.8/10(472 votes)

    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

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  13. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 16 - Bugs
    7.8/10(381 votes)

    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

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  14. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 1 - Enter Sandman (1)
    7.6/10(747 votes)

    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

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  15. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 2 - Enter Sandman (2)
    7.6/10(675 votes)

    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

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  16. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 3 - Bend, Don't Break
    7.6/10(574 votes)

    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

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  17. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 5 - Last Rites
    7.6/10(502 votes)

    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

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  18. NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 6 - Incognito
    7.6/10(506 votes)

    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

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Cecilia" is the best rated episode of "NCIS: Origins" season 1. It scored 8.9/10 based on 508 votes. Directed by Niels Arden Oplev and written by Gina Lucita Monreal, it aired on 4/28/2025. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Blue Bayou".