NCIS: Origins Season 1, Episode 12 ‘Touchstones‘ is a surprisingly touching episode of a show that knows very well how to tug on viewer’s metaphorical heartstrings, even when the hour isn’t focused on one of the main people we’ve been following so far. One would think that an episode featuring Gibbs, but not focused on Gibbs, would not be as interesting—and yet NCIS: Origins manages to make an episode about Kowalski an hour that feels like anything but a filler.
The same thing happened with the Franks episode last week. And though Franks is certainly a more important character than Kowalski, the fact that NCIS: Origins can so deftly make fans not just care, but invest, in all of their characters, bodes well for whatever stories they want to tell outside of Gibbs. I’ve said it before, we certainly came here for Gibbs, but if we’re staying… and if we’re excited about it… it’s because of this ensemble.
MORE: NCIS: Sydney is coming back soon! Need a reminder of how it ended? Here’s our review of the NCIS: Sydney Season 1 finale.
KOWALSKI & HERM
It feels very obvious to say that a show that can make an episode where the emotional beats are centered on two recurring characters we haven’t even seen all that much work, is a good show. But I’ve already said that about NCIS: Origins, so it should come as no surprise that I think so. It’s still worth pointing out within the context of what we learned in NCIS: Origins Season 1, Episode 12 ‘Touchstones’ and what that means for the show going forward.
A first season is meant to establish characters we like, and on a show like this one, a prequel about Gibbs’ story, it was always really important that we cared about someone other than Gibbs. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that in 12 episodes the show would manage to make us not just care about the team investigating cases with Gibbs day in and day out, but also about characters who don’t get as much time in the spotlight, like Kowalski and Herm.
This episode works because the conversation between Kowalski and Herm isn’t just believable, it feels real. Sometimes, the people who give us hope—and maybe inadvertently save us, are the people we least expect. And, if we’re lucky, we might just be able to save them back.
MORE: Do you want a complete list of Gibbs’ rules? We got one for you!
LALA & GIBBS
This, ironically, ends up applying to a Lala who ends up confiding in Gibbs this episode, while at the same time doing her best to keep him at arm’s length. It’s a tricky balance, and once she’s not succeeding at, even if she took his advice and called her ex, Eddie, back. Because for Gibbs, it’s simple, Lala made a mistake, and he’d forgive her for it so Eddie probably will too. And if she regrets it and she misses him, she should try.
For Lala, however, it’s much more complicated. She hasn’t come close to dealing with other reasons why she made that mistake in the first place, so jumping back into that relationship would only mean pain. Plus, despite the fact that she told Gibbs she would try to trust him a few episodes back, this episode makes it clear that’s still a work in progress. She isn’t there yet.
However, the fact that she tells Gibbs that they probably shouldn’t come in early on the same days feels like more than just Lala and the baggage of what Gibbs kept from her. It feels like Lala protecting herself from getting too deep, from caring too much. And it also feels like a misguided attempt to prevent Gibbs from doing the same. This is a procedural, so we know how that’s going to go, but even if it weren’t… in life, there’s nothing more attractive than what’s forbidden, or what someone doesn’t want you to do. Worth considering.
Things I think I think:
- Kowalski being there so early I kinda get. AND BREAD! But you, Gibbs?
- Okay, so Kowalski was a POW. That’s rough.
- Dalton Basement is objectively hilarious.
- Everything about Kowalski and Korea hurts.
- “They took everything from me. My Faith. I couldn’t see God in that place.”
- Am I the only one tearing up at a stone?
- Granny telling Kowalski that he loves him HIT ME.
- “You saved me.” I’m fine, I’m okay, thank you for asking.
- “It’s probably better if we don’t come in early on the same days” feels like an admission.
- Roger, how very dare you?
- Now I AM crying about that stone.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS: Origins Season 1, Episode 12 ‘Touchstones’? Share with us in the comments below!
NCIS: Origins airs on Mondays at 10/9c on CBS.
Here are our NCIS: Origins reviews:
