NCIS: Origins season 2 episode 5 broke the pattern of the season, focusing more on the case that spanned decades and less on the characters. But with the crossover now over, NCIS: Origins is back to throwing personal drama into the mix, and it was about time the show shifted its focus to Randy.
Caution: This post contains SPOILERS from NCIS: Origins season 2 episode 6
Episode 6 was all about Special Agent Bernard "Randy" Randolf's birthday, and what it took for him to become the sunny person everyone knows and loves. NCIS: Origins is true to its name, giving us a glimpse into Randy's origin story.
NCIS: Origins season 2 episode 6 shows just how strong Randy really is
Randy arrives at work more upbeat than usual — his birthdays were always a celebration in the Randolf household. Every year, his mother, Maxine, found a way to make it special. She always told him the story of when he was born, a few days earlier than expected, in a greasy auto repair shop. To her, it seemed like the world stood still for the child she believed would bring a big light into it.
Even though Randy arrives bursting with birthday cheer, and Mary Jo tries to make it special, the rest of the team doesn't seem to care as much. It's just another day at the office, with a bloody investigation to deal with. And as Randy says himself, "Even on the best days [...] you got to do the work."
He’s facing hardship after hardship — and in a way, he always has. From Randy's memories, fans see how disappointed he was when his mother had to work on his birthday. Back to the present, Franks is being more than his usual cranky self. When he sees Randy overly focused on his computer, he breaks it without a word of apology.
Maybe Franks is right to worry about Randy getting too worked up by the case. The next morning, Franks wakes him up from the couch in Wheeler's office. He never went home and looks like he hasn't slept in days. Soon after, Randy and Franks finally have the fight that's been simmering all episode. Who knew Randy had it in him to stand his ground and yell at his boss? But that seems to have defused the tension.
Despite the turmoil, he manages to focus on the case and solve it. The current case is tied to an older one, something NCIS: Origins has done before, and Randy stands by this belief, even when nobody else believes in him. He’s tougher than anyone gives him credit for. And he’s been like that since he was a kid, refusing to let trouble get to him. Because he and his mother are "people who don't let the bad stuff win."
Randy is always there for the people he loves in NCIS: Origins season 2 episode 6
Randy has been lifting people up since he was a kid, just like his mother always encouraged. The first person he supported, no matter what, was Maxine. He was a smart kid and wouldn't let their money problems get him or his mother down. In fact, when she struggled to sell beauty products to the neighbors, he'd step in, charming the ladies into buying. Even then, he had a knack for saying exactly what people needed to hear.
He supports the team whether they acknowledge it or not. Or, like in Franks's case, have a funny way of showing their appreciation. After their fight, it's Randy who leaves an apology note on Franks's desk. Franks doesn't admit he was wrong, but he helps Herm type a file on the new computer. And he finally explains how he doesn't want Randy to change from the happy, people person he is into someone absorbed by a machine.
Even when stress is high, Randy is the glue keeping the team together and still manages to solve the case almost single-handedly. His belief in himself and happiness are far stronger than the doubts and grumpiness of others.
NCIS: Origins season 2 episode 7 airs Tuesday, December 2, on CBS. Whose personal drama will be at the forefront? We've yet to see.
NCIS: Origins airs on Tuesdays at 9/8c on CBS.
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