NCIS: Origins Season 3, Episode 2 ‘My Own Worst Enemy‘ is another very strong hour for a show that knows how to tell a big, overarching story, while still giving its ensemble a chance to shine. We’ve gotten episodes giving us backstory on Wheeler, Mary Jo, and even Gary Callahan at this point, so it should be no surprise that the show can deliver such a strong hour with a focus on Woody.
But one thing the show has to be commended for is its capacity to do just that and give everyone a distinct personality, a complex backstory, without it ever feeling like it’s treading similar ground. All the members of this team, this pack, are well-rounded, but they’ve also been created to serve a larger story. And they serve it really well.
‘My Own Worst Enemy’ proves that really well, as Gibbs, in present time, leaves Alaska and heads to the one person who can help him identify his shooter: Woody. That we then go back to learn about Woody’s backstory never feels like an unnecessary detour, just another way in which this show tells the same story it’s been telling from the beginning: one about family. The definition of that might have expanded for Gibbs (and us), but family is family. No matter how long it’s been.
MORE: Read our review of the first episode of Season 3
WELCOME HOME, JETHRO
The arc of this season was always leading here, to a reunion between Gibbs and his old NCIS team, and it makes sense for the NCISverse that the reunion we get is this one: Gibbs and Tony. For Gibbs to get the information he needs, he’s gotta use his connections. And right now, Tony is the NCIS director. If anyone can put a name to this person who tried to kill Gibbs, it’s him.
But it’s not just that. For Gibbs to find out who the other person this mystery assassin is after, he’s got to go through everyone he cares about. That means checking on his team. And though I would have personally loved a Ziva reunion too, I’ll take Tony. It’s been longer since he’s seen DiNozzo than Ziva, after all. I will just park my dream of Gibbs meeting Tali somewhere.
Storytelling-wise, this season is set up for Gibbs to go through all the options of who the other person they’re after could be, only to end at the obvious one: Lala. If this is the story of the two of them, then the answer to the question has to be Lala. She’s gotta be alive in the present time. But if she is, how come we never heard of her? How come she isn’t with Gibbs? What could have happened to her that took her away from Gibbs for all this time? I’ve had my theory for a while. Let’s see what the show does.
WOLVES RUN IN PACKS
‘My Own Worst Enemy’ is about Woody, but it’s also about Gibbs and about the family this team has become. And with that I mean both teams, in the past and in the present. The essence of NCIS has always been family, and NCIS: Origins has always understood that. We didn’t care about Gibbs because he was this tough guy lone wolf with a great smile; we cared about him because even when he pretended he didn’t, he had his team’s backs. Always.
That was true in the past, and it remained true during his time on NCIS. Woody gets to discover what that means in an episode when, after pushing back against the idea that he’s one of the team, he lets Gibbs in long enough that the people he didn’t think he could rely on end up saving him. That’s why, all those years later, Woody still has Gibbs back. He is part of the pack, and the pack won’t leave a wolf alone.
In many ways, that’s what Gibbs is doing with this investigation. That’s why he left Alaska. He doesn’t know which member of his pack is in danger, but he knows it’s someone he cares about. And if we know anything about Leroy Jethro Gibbs, it’s that he will be there when you need him, no matter how long it’s been.
MORE: Here’s how to watch every NCIS show in order
Things I think I think:
- “You don’t think, you just go” sounds very Gibbs, not gonna lie.
- “Because somewhere along the line, you got bonded to somebody. And that bond doesn’t even give a damn what you want.” This is making me a little emotional.
- “You’re still stunning” HA.
- The Franks comparison!
- “You owe me a favor”
- Lol, Wheeler. Why the toaster?
- That was quiiiick, Gibbs.
- Look, taking a shower to reset your day isn’t a bad idea.
- Gibbs side-eyeing Franks about his obvious thing for Swanson is kinda funny.
- “Sometimes you gotta break the rules.”
- “Try thinking more than 5 minutes ahead”? Ouch.
- Everyone’s feeling the damn tension, and they don’t even know what the tension is this time!
- Kinda love when Gibbs and Franks are on the same irrational page.
- “I’m not someone who doesn’t think big picture.”
- The notebook is kinda heartbreaking, yes.
- But is it really Bob’s birthday?
- “If you can call complete pubic humiliation teaching, then yeah.” I personally don’t.
- Sean Harmon!
- “Everyone out there is risking their badges for you.” They really are.
- “When you got nothing you still got foresnsics.”
- That’s motive, Woody! Stop talking.
- “Why are you making it so hard for us to help you?”
- “You are one of us. And this pack is not giving up on you.”
- “I like to think there’s a little Keanu in all of us.” This was probably so much fun to film.
- “You got me.”/”Not how I want.” Is it hot in here or what?
- “Who said it was easy?”
- “I know just who to take it to.”
- My only question is where is Gibbs getting his up to date news in Alaska. Tony has been director for 0.2 seconds!
- Bloom? HA
- “Walk back into a place you swore you were done with. But when you get there, you’re home.”
- That and “welcome home, Jethro” killed me.
- “Home means family.”
- “Whether it’s been 10 minutes or 10 years, when you need them, family is always there.”
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS: Origins Season 3, Episode 2 ‘My Own Worst Enemy’? Share with us in the comments below!
NCIS: Origins airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on CBS.
