After a superb Season 1 finale, this show had a high bar to clear when it came to ending the season. NCIS: Origins Season 2, Episode 18 ‘Hollywood Ending’ lives up to expectations, gives us the happy ending we wanted, and does a great job of setting up the upcoming third season. We really shouldn’t have doubted what is, without a doubt, one of the best written procedurals on TV.
The thing about the truly satisfying moment we get between Gibbs and Lala is that we know it can’t last. And yet, that didn’t make us want it less. The thing about Randy’s kidnapping is that we’re worried about him. But we’re also excited about the storytelling possibilities. NCIS: Origins is very good at the balance of giving viewers what they want, just not exactly how they want it.
Looking back on a full season and two seasons of this show feels surreal. Perhaps, before the first episode of this show aired, I would have said we didn’t need a young Gibbs spinoff. Now, I can’t imagine the franchise without it. If that’s not a win, then I don’t know what is.
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FEELINGS. THEY MESS WITH YOUR HEAD
In many ways ‘Hollywood Ending’ is about the misguided idea that feelings are bad, that caring about something, about someone, means you are compromised. Gibbs almost lets go of Lala because he’s scared of what putting his feelings into words might mean. Franks almost loses his brother because he never knew how to really be the support he needed after everything. But in the end, they both figure it out.
And they partly do because they’ve got each other. Randy and Mike are, in many ways, the push Gibbs needs to make the decision to go after Lala. Gibbs is the reason Mike can even try to have a relationship with his brother. And absolutely everyone followed Mike into the fire, no questions asked.
So yes, when earlier in the episode Franks was pretending he didn’t care that the team was getting disbanded, we knew that was a lie. This team has become a little family, and this episode is proof positive that they’re better because of it.
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HAPPY ENDING
‘Hollywood Ending’ gives us exactly what we wanted for Gibbs and Lala, exactly what the story demanded at this point. And yet, even within the happiness, there’s a hint of pain. Because we know it can’t last. The voiceover reminds us right away. But isn’t it better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all?
That probably applies to ships, too. It’s better to get to experience this moment with Gibbs and Lala and whatever comes next than to let it be a maybe forever. We don’t know where Lala is in the future. We don’t know if she’s alive or why Gibbs never mentioned her. For all we know, she could be in that cabin in Alaska with Gibbs. But even if the ending is happy, there’s still a middle that hasn’t been explained. And two whole other wives for Gibbs before we even get to NCIS.
Plus, if anyone deserved that cinematic ending, complete with the song from The Bodyguard and a running kiss, it was Gibbs and Lala. Now we get to find out what comes next.
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Things I think I think:
- “You work a job like this, you gotta find an escape.”
- Lol, The Bodyguard vs. Reservoir Dogs.
- I think the reason why dead kids would affect Gibbs flew a little over Randy’s head.
- Though, to be fair, stoic blank face is Gibbs’ default.
- Another blast from the future: Tom Morrow.
- Vera was always a better choice than Franks to help, Cliff. But what’s up with Franks? He gave up real fast.
- Someone explain to me why there are so many NCIS offices. DC, okay. Even Guantanamo Bay I get. But Naples?
- Ah, the origin of the headslap! It’s funny to see Gibbs be on the receiving end.
- We get it Mike, you like Swanson.
- Gibbs is even grumpier than usual.
- “Because Lala has a secret relationship that we never discussed as a group.” Really, Randy?! Is this the time?
- Love Mariel’s Spanish.
- I can understand Lala considering the move. But she won’t do it.
- Someone shake Mike Franks and force him to face whatever’s making him act like he doesn’t care.
- Well, reinforcements are good.
- Gibbs is taking out his anger on those wine barrels.
- Ok Gibbs, but why are you making your Lala problems someone else’s?
- Gibbs and Franks are very good at getting under each other’s skins.
- “You think it ain’t killing me that they’re busting up my team?”
- “That’s a choice.” Ouch.
- And then using Gibbs’ feelings against him? Low, Mike Franks. I mean, probably valid, but low.
- Flirting in front of my salad, Mary Jo and Dalton Basement.
- Nice shot of Gibbs with his rifle right after that NCIS episode, lol.
- “Go become the job. And get a house with a basement and build your stupid boats alone for the rest of your life.”
- Okay, but what happened here?
- Franks be making bad decisions and everyone’s like ok we’re following.
- That was quite a jump from Gibbs to save Mason.
- Lala’s reaction says it all. Mike’s reaction too.
- Okay, I ship Swanson and Franks.
- “You ain’t alone no more.”
- Ouch, a broken rib.
- Franks doesn’t even have the words to thank Gibbs, but he knows.
- Oh, finally, NCIS!
- He did pitch the C like his life depended on it.
- SWAG!
- “The movies didn’t have a happy ending.”
- Randy, noooooo.
- “We didn’t know until later he was even gone.”
- “I was gonna get on with my life like she was never there. Like the story of her never happened. But I couldn’t do it.”
- “I tried to leave, but I couldn’t.”
- The SONG.
- “She did stay. We got our happy ending. I only wish it could have lasted forever.”
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS: Origins Season 2, Episode 18 ‘Hollywood Ending’? 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.
