NCIS: Origins Season 2, Episode 6 ‘Happy Birthday’ showcases Caleb Foote’s Randy, a character that has become the light of this team—and this show. Foote, who entered the first season as part of the regular team but not as a series regular, earned his spot pretty quickly on the show and in our hearts, and this episode is both a celebration of what he did to get there and an explanation of why Randy is the way he is.
But make no mistake, a character like Randy doesn’t work without an actor like Foote. Before the show premiered, I had the chance to visit the NCIS: Origins set, and just from spending twenty minutes with him, I knew he was going to be a fan favorite. And I knew why. Like Randy, Foote just lights up the room. And on a show that started as dark as this one did, and that has a team that in Season 2 features a lost soul (Lala), a man trying to find his way out of his own darkness (Gibbs), and a grumpy, problematic, if typically, well-meaning boss (Franks), he is the much-needed counterbalance.
In this hour, Randy breaks. For a moment, we see through the façade. But doesn’t that happen to the best of us? Ironically, what is there on the other side… well, that’s the Randy we’ve always known. And we like him more after getting to see the why.
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DON’T LET THE BAD STUFF WIN
‘Happy Birthday’ is, in many ways, the episode that best showcases the different ways these characters approach life. Gibbs is so far from the lost character he was in Season 1, he’s not caught up in grief at every second—he’s not drowning. But he’s also not thriving. Instead, he’s just trying to find his way in the world. Lala, meanwhile, is absolutely lost this season, and not just that, she’s refusing to accept any help. This is sure to come back to bite her in the ass.
Then there’s Franks, who is an asshole more often than not. We’ve seen through the walls he puts up; we know that deep down he cares. We know that he’s not a bad guy. And we see him, even in this episode, trying to make up in small ways when he messes up. But that doesn’t make what Franks does, or the way he behaves, okay. He still should have apologized to Randy, and he should have found more constructive ways to express his feelings.
When all is said and done, we aren’t our thoughts, but our actions. That’s what makes Randy such a lovable character, and Franks such a frustrating one. This isn’t a big deal because Randy won’t make it a big deal. But even someone like Randy can’t carry the pressure of forgiving and forgetting all the time.
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BERNARD FRANCIS RANDOLPH
There are at least five separate moments in this episode where I just wanted to walk through the screen and give Randy—kid version and adult version—a hug. And yet, it’s such a joy to see a character who can make the best of every situation. Who can take the knocks and keep getting up? Because there are people like that. They exist. And they truly make every place they are part of better.
But sometimes, we tend to be unfair with people like that. We put a lot of the emotional weight on their shoulders because it looks like they can carry it. Like it doesn’t weigh heavily on them. But the truth is that, after a while, it does. They’re still human. And that’s why Randy, for a moment, breaks in this hour. It’s so hard to be positive all the time. To let everything roll off your back. Being the happy-go-lucky guy doesn’t mean things don’t hurt you.
No, people like Randy feel everything. Sometimes, even more strongly than others who are better at compartmentalizing their emotions. It’s just that they’re very good at being in every moment and then stepping away from that moment and letting it go. But even that can become harder and harder the more you throw at them. And that, well… that doesn’t exactly bode well for him on a team (show) like this one.
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Things I think I think:
- Bernard Francis Randolph.
- “This kid was meant to bring a great big light into the world.”
- Look, this voiceover made me think Randy is dead, let Randy not be dead.
- “The kind of light that never goes out.”
- Protect Randy at all costs, 2k25.
- I think Franks is a little unfair, because, true, Randy is better at dealing with people, but it doesn’t mean he doesn’t have feelings.
- He digitized everything?!
- Kowalski sticking up for Randy, my man.
- He named the computer Martha Stewart?
- Okay, the Spanish was about 6/10, but the message still works.
- I knew this Flaco storyline was never gonna die.
- Look, I Gibbs’ defense, he isn’t actually yelling.
- Why did you lie to Gibbs? He would have kept your secret. And it’s not like you did anything!
- Aww, Randy’s mom.
- I like that at this point, absolutely everyone feels comfortable telling it to Mike like it is.
- NOOO. THE COMPUTER. NOOOO.
- “Happy birthday, kid. Glad you were born,”
- Randy, go home!
- A lock for her door. Interesting.
- “Thank you, I love you so much.” Randy, I love you.
- Gibbs and Randy just hightailing out of there was kinda hilarious.
- Of course all the information is lost!
- He is going to turn into a silver fox.
- Mike is being unbearable, and it’s a good thing that everyone’s stepping up to defend Randy, but he kinda needed to defend himself.
- “I ain’t say sorry cause I’m glad I done it.”
- Look, it would be one thing if Franks meant it. But we know he doesn’t!
- “If that’s what you think, then you have no idea of who I am.”
- Gail, so help me God…
- Mary Jo trying to keep Wheeler’s secret is so precious to me.
- Gibbs threatening Lala’s fake boyfriend is… eh, expected?
- See, Mike, I knew you were sorry.
- Exteriorize your feelings, Mike.
- “A guy like Randy, I don’t think that’s possible.”
- Lala gonna end up dating this guy.
- “I wish I was more like that.”
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS: Origins Season 2, Episode 6 ‘Happy Birthday’? 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 Tuesdays at 9/8c on CBS.
