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The Best Episodes of NCIS: Origins Season 2

Every episode of NCIS: Origins Season 2 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of NCIS: Origins Season 2!

Binge this in 12h 48m•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
    NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 14 - The Beautiful Ballad of Gary Callahan
    9.3/10(438 votes)

    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(543 votes)

    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 2 Episode 18 - Hollywood Ending
    8.9/10(305 votes)

    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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  4. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 12 - The Gambler
    8.6/10(324 votes)

    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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  5. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 10 - Lean on Me
    8.5/10(310 votes)

    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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  6. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 13 - Homeward Bound
    8.5/10(319 votes)

    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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  7. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 17 - Rule 13
    8.5/10(260 votes)

    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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  8. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 15 - Johnny B. Goode
    8.4/10(271 votes)

    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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  9. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 4 - No Man Left Behind
    8.3/10(362 votes)

    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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  10. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 5 - Funny How Time Slips Away (I)
    8.3/10(410 votes)

    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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  11. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 8 - End of the Road
    8.3/10(330 votes)

    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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  12. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 16 - Who's Gonna Drive You Home?
    8.3/10(259 votes)

    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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  13. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 1 - The Funky Bunch
    8.2/10(406 votes)

    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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  14. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 6 - Happy Birthday
    8.1/10(324 votes)

    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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  15. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 9 - Fools Rush In
    8.1/10(293 votes)

    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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  16. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 11 - Feelin' Alright?
    8.0/10(311 votes)

    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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  17. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 2 - Who By Fire
    7.8/10(356 votes)

    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

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  18. NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 7 - Crazy Little Thing Called Love
    7.7/10(327 votes)

    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

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Season 2 Ratings Summary

"The Beautiful Ballad of Gary Callahan" is the best rated episode of "NCIS: Origins" season 2. It scored 9.3/10 based on 438 votes. Directed by Diana Valentine and written by David J. North, Daniel J. Egbert, it aired on 4/7/2026. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "The Edge".