NCIS: Origins Season 1, Episode 17 Review: Who Is Sandman and Why It Hurts

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The long-standing mystery surrounding NCIS: Origins has been resolved, but sadly, not without a sting. In Season 1, Episode 17 titled “Darlin’, Don’t Refrain”, the team manages to uncover the true identity of the sniper known as Sandman. Interestingly, this character was previously introduced to viewers earlier in the season. Meanwhile, there’s a subtle power struggle unfolding within the institution as the NCIS team is compelled to collaborate with the FBI. As fans of this genre would predict, such an alliance rarely ends smoothly.

In ‘Darlin’, Don’t Refrain,’ we delve into the life of team supervisor Cliff Wheeler, who faces potential job loss due to season events. However, before that unfolds, tensions with Wheeler’s son Jason escalate dramatically. Adding to the emotional turmoil, Gibbs discovers Sandman’s true identity. This episode is a rollercoaster of emotions.

NCIS: Origins Season 1, Episode 17 Plays With Some Genre Tropes

The Tension Between the FBI and NIS Is Standard Procedure

In essence, the seventeenth episode of Season 1 in the series NCIS: Origins follows a common narrative pattern for TV crime dramas. A secondary agency steps in to aid our protagonists in solving a significant case, creating tension as they clash heads, eventually learning to cooperate. As is often the case when the FBI intervenes, things don’t go smoothly. Unfortunately, the dynamic between Mike Franks and FBI agent Noah Oakley, and the grumblings of the NCIS team about the FBI-led investigation, fail to fully capitalize on the potential conflict, as expressed in the title “Darlin’, Don’t Refrain”.

The episode benefits from having Oakley as a familiar character who has previously collaborated with the team, making viewers inclined to trust him somewhat. Oakley’s characterization avoids the stereotypical “G-man” attitude of bossing around the team despite his authority, which provides a fresh take on the usual plot development. Moreover, introducing an outside team in this part of the storyline feels natural given the events of the season thus far; it doesn’t appear as if it’s being forced for dramatic effect.

Despite the presence of FBI agents, they mostly blend into the backdrop during NCIS: Origins, allowing the main characters to remain in focus. However, one potential issue with Episode 17 is that some significant characters don’t receive much attention. For instance, Mary Jo Hayes is only mentioned but not shown, while young Leroy Jethro Gibbs spends a lot of time on screen sitting in a basement. This might annoy some viewers, but it becomes clear as the episode progresses that there’s a purpose for this, as the revelation of Sandman’s identity is directly linked to Gibbs. The entire episode is leading up to this crucial moment.

NCIS: Origins Finally Reveals Sandman Is Someone Close to Gibbs

How Will the Finale Deal With This Information?

The various parts of the Sandman enigma are swiftly resolved, allowing NCIS: Origins to reach its poignant climax. It’s unveiled that Operation Sundown was a CIA operation, where four security personnel from Flintport were assigned to safeguard a CIA asset and his family. However, when the Iraq War concluded, their employer pulled them off this detail for a more lucrative job, leading to the family’s demise. This supposed “mission” was actually about seeking vengeance against the rest of the Flintport team for these murders. Although it might seem anticlimactic that Sundown isn’t something grander, the power of this narrative lies not in what it is, but in who it involves. The Sandman turns out to be none other than Luke Fletcher, the man who has been guiding Gibbs’ veteran support group.

This storyline presents both strong advantages and disadvantages. Dramatically speaking, shrewd viewers likely anticipated that Sandman was a character they’d previously encountered, and it cannot be denied the significant effect this has on Gibbs personally. Actor Austin Stowell delivers another impressive performance in the scene where Luke points a gun at Gibbs (taking into account the misleading danger since viewers know Gibbs can’t die as NCIS: Origins is a prequel). Moreover, the decision to conclude this storyline now rather than during the season finale hints at more emotional depth yet to be explored for Gibbs in Episode 18.

It’s great to notice a veteran support group portrayed in the show, as such groups and their struggles are rarely highlighted on television. However, the lack of screen time dedicated to this group is unfortunate, as it was only briefly featured after its introduction during the season’s midpoint.

Moreover, making Luke appear as the antagonist undermines that aspect of the plot, since it calls into question everything he has done before. He insists to Gibbs that his actions are genuine and he cares for everyone in his group, but viewers might find it hard to believe him given his questionable credibility. At a minimum, this creates uncertainty about something that was a positive and distinctive aspect of the NCIS: Origins universe.

NCIS: Origins Further Explores Cliff Wheeler’s Personal Life

Season 1, Episode 17 Is Both Tragic and Hopeful for Wheeler

In each episode of NCIS: Origins, we get a glimpse into a character’s personal life, such as Mary Jo Hayes’ struggling marriage and family tragedies (“Darlin’, Don’t Refrain” takes its name from a Guns ‘n’ Roses lyric). This storyline about Jason Wheeler not being able to go to a GNR concert with his father evolves into something deeper, as Jason ends up in trouble with the law after attacking his father and attempting to steal tickets.

The central theme revolves around Wheeler’s personal life, particularly his commitment to his family and past indiscretions, which are emphasized in the episode. Oakley’s character serves as a recurring check-in for Wheeler, offering viewers a more nuanced view of a man beyond his professional role as an irritable boss. The episode portrays him as a person who is overextended and seems uncertain because everyone around him requires something from him.

In this episode, Wheeler almost loses his job, casting doubt on Patrick Fischler’s continued presence in the series. However, NCIS: Origins strategically highlights Wheeler’s character at this juncture, serving both as a reason for the FBI’s initial involvement and to give the episode a distinctive, memorable touch beyond the manhunt narrative. Despite not being particularly surprising or innovative, NCIS: Origins Season 1, Episode 17 resonates deeply.

NCIS: Origins airs Mondays at 10:00 p.m. on .

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2025-04-22 17:42