SPOILER ALERT: The following contains spoilers for NCIS: Origins Season 2, Episode 13.

NCIS: Origins Season 2, Episode 13 is everything fans love about the CBS show. “Homeward Bound” is an example of why this series has the most underrated writing on television. It shines a moving spotlight on Doc Tango and Native Americans in general, while also giving actor Adam Campbell even more to do as young Ducky following his appearance in the 500th episode of NCIS.

What is most important is that Ducky’s return does not overshadow the Doc Tango-centric story that NCIS: Origins is telling. The ads for this hour may have leaned heavily on Ducky (somewhat understandable given Adam Campbell’s well-deserved popularity in the role), but the episode itself doesn’t. This is a Tango story first and foremost, and actor-writer Julian Black Antelope is always front and center. He does his best work yet as Dr. Témet Téngalkat, because “Homeward Bound” isn’t simply a Doc Tango backstory episode. It’s an episode about his people and in general, how Native American artifacts and even their remains are perceived as commodities; Tango is the person through whom that story is told.

That said, it is wonderful how the NCIS: Origins writers bring Ducky back into the fold in a way that perfectly complements that story. So many TV shows pull popular characters back in just for the sake of doing so, and if the episode doesn’t outright revolve around them, they feel like they’re just a fun add-on. The exploration of Ducky’s friendship with Doc Tango, and the influence that Tango has on Ducky, adds a new layer to both characters. The best part of Origins remains how it’s not solely Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ origin story; all of the characters leave their fingerprints on each other. And knowing how much Ducky means within the fabric of NCIS, it’s lovely to see how much impact Tango had without even necessarily realizing it.

There is a reason for Ducky to be in “Homeward Bound,” both in terms of plot and character. And again, it must be said how perfectly cast Adam Campbell is in the role. He brings so much to the character that it’s hard to remember that several of his other credits have actually been in sitcoms like Great News and Mixology. He’s now played young Ducky on and off for over a decade, and it’s abundantly clear that nobody else could do this character justice except Campbell. He works just as well within the NCIS: Origins team and the show’s more character-driven framework as he does on the mothership. The scene in which Ducky loses his cool and punches out an opportunistic professor is one of this episode’s best moments, because viewers get to see Campbell cut loose, and they were probably all wanting to do the same thing anyway.

That leads to another of the best moments; what could’ve been just a setup for jokes, with Ducky and Tango in jail together, is actually written as a very contemplative moment for Ducky. That’s what makes NCIS: Origins such a well-penned series. It always goes to that next level. Another show would’ve leaned into the obvious comedy; this one doesn’t take the easy route. And there are other moments like that, too, such as Mike Franks taking issue with the ignorant local park ranger—including the ranger’s repeated butchering of Dr. Téngalkat’s surname. It’ll be up to fans whether or not they believe his secretary’s speech to Mary Jo about the guy just being put upon himself for so many years, but it’s appreciated to see Franks call him out. (And along those lines, also great to see Cliff Wheeler getting indignant the day after Patrick Fischler’s final guest appearance on Paradise. Fischler is definitely underrated.)

NCIS: Origins fans will also take note of the moments between Gibbs and Lala Dominguez, from Lala having a dream about Gibbs to Gibbs missing a call from his wife because he’s talking to Lala. They’re scenes that will keep the shippers happy for certain, but it’s another example of how Origins is able to tie so many of its plot threads together in an episode so seamlessly. It’s another smaller, more subtle idea of home. Although fans also have to feel for Lala’s boyfriend Manny, who made her a whole romantic dinner that she’s also missing. And if that’s not enough angst, the two mentions of Tish remind everyone how much she brought to the show.

“Homeward Bound” is well-written, wonderfully acted and contains an important message about the perception of Native Americans at the time. The only way the episode could have been more timely is if there had been an end card with some potential resources for learning more about either Native American culture or preservation efforts—it would have been neat to give interested viewers a way to educate themselves, the same way that the characters learned in the episode. But other than that, it’s an hour that’s memorable in a couple different ways. Stories like this are why NCIS: Origins is so much more than a procedural.

NCIS: Origins airs Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Photo Credit: Courtesy of CBS.

Article content is (c)2020-2026 Brittany Frederick and may not be excerpted or reproduced without express written permission by the author. Follow me on Twitter at @BFTVTwtr and on Instagram at @BFTVGram. For story pitches, contact me at tvbrittanyf@yahoo.com.