NCIS: Origins Season 1, Episode 16 ‘Bugs’ is both an episode about Vera and an episode that aims to close the loop of the mystery this show started with, that of the Sandman. The only issue is that, in the grand scheme of the poignant character-centric episodes everyone else has gotten, this feels like Vera got short-changed by making her episode so much about Bugs. Considering the show is getting a second season, and it has proven it will give everyone a chance in the spotlight, we’re sure she’ll get her shot—but we would have liked to see that happen now.
The mystery part is interesting, though, and the way Vera brings everyone into the Bugs mystery ends up drawing you in, like we knew would happen when the show kept dropping hints to this overarching story through the season. And even the fact that ‘Bugs’ ends up being very clearly the first part in a two-part story doesn’t really detract from the episode, particularly considering it ends with a literal bang.
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VERA STRICKLAND
NCIS: Origins does a pretty good job of working within the context of a show in the 90s, aka there is the level of casual sexism you would expect from everyone, and yet these people also get things done because on a deeper level, they also more or less work together pretty well, despite that reality. That means that yes, Mike, Cliff, Randy, and Gibbs, in some of the little things, don’t realize some of the microgressions, but that doesn’t mean Vera, Lala, Mary Jo, and the women who come in and out of the narrative don’t have anything to add.
Interestingly, Vera is the profiler, the one starting such an important program that, in this early time, no one really understands. We know now how crucial it can be, particularly in law enforcement, but what Vera is trying to sell in the 90s sounds to a lot of people like pseudoscience. And yet, everyone on this team is not indulging her but listening to her. Helping her. That means a lot, not just for what she’s trying to do now but how she will continue to grow.
Hopefully, this is just the beginning of what we get from Vera and what we get from Vera and the team. On our list of hopes for Season 2.
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LITTLE BY LITTLE
NCIS: Origins Season 1, Episode 16 ‘Bugs’ gives us a breakthrough on Gibbs, and it feels both so fitting and so important considering how Gibbs himself had told Franks just last episode that the group wasn’t really helping. And yet, he kept showing up. He kept putting in the work because he wants to get better. He doesn’t know how, but Gibbs is trying. For his wife and daughter. For Ruth. But also, for himself.
That’s sometimes the hardest part when you lose everything and everyone you love. When you have to build yourself back up from scratch. Wanting to do anything. To put one foot in front of the other. To try. And Gibbs has built a life again. He isn’t sure, but he’s starting to think that maybe he does deserve a life of purpose, a life of hope, a life of happiness. And honestly, it feels like a privilege to accompany him on this journey. It really and truly does.
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Things I think I think:
- “Sometimes it made her sick to be inside their heads for so long”
- It made me kind of emotional to see the group help Gibbs.
- And then Gibbs try to help Franks.
- Did you really ask who was going to cut your hair, Randy?
- Now Gibbs trying to get everyone to go to the VA group, lol.
- This robbery is going to be connected somehow, right?
- But hey, I’m glad Gibbs is trying!
- “Family is someone who shows up.”
- Okay, what is Operation Sundown?
- “The worst monsters lie in wait.”
- I knew Bugs wasn’t gonna make it.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think about NCIS: Origins Season 1, Episode 16 ‘Bugs’? Share with us in the comments below! And if you have any thoughts about the show, share them with us in our NCIS: Origins hub!
NCIS: Origins airs on Mondays at 10/9c on CBS.
Here are our last 5 NCIS: Origins reviews:
