NCIS: Origins Season 1, Episode 13, “Monsoon” Delivers Another Powerful and Emotional Story
NCIS: Origins continues its streak of emotionally resonant episodes with Season 1, Episode 13, Monsoon. This installment shifts the focus back to Mike Franks, serving as a direct follow-up to Episode 11, Flight of Icarus. While the series has occasionally struggled with repetitive storytelling, Monsoon stands out for its depth, character exploration, and poignant message about the burdens veterans carry long after their service.
A Murder Mystery with Deeper Layers
The episode revolves around the murder of a Vietnam veteran, which turns out to be part of a series of similar killings. However, instead of following a typical serial offender narrative, the script takes a more intimate approach—focusing on Franks’ bond with the victim’s best friend, Tom Molina. The story is further enriched by a heartbreaking subplot surrounding how Franks learns about the murder in the first place.
Origins has been on an impressive run of emotionally heavy episodes. Flight of Icarus offered painful flashbacks of Franks being drafted, while Episode 12, Touchstones, delivered a bittersweet look at Kowalski’s past. Now, Monsoon delivers an even greater emotional blow, highlighting Franks’ post-war struggles as he tries to reintegrate into civilian life. The parallels between Franks and other Vietnam veterans featured in the case make a strong statement about how society must do more to support those who have served—a message that extends beyond Vietnam to all veterans.
A Shift in Tone that Works
One way Origins distinguishes itself from the original NCIS is its willingness to lean into serious, character-driven storytelling. While NCIS has delivered many touching episodes over the years, it rarely places them back-to-back like Origins has. The prequel thrives in these dramatic moments, as seen in Kyle Schmid’s heartbreaking portrayal of Franks. His attempts to support Molina while preserving his relationship with Tish only add to the emotional weight, especially when it becomes clear he can’t save either of them.
A secondary storyline follows Gibbs as he debates whether to attend a support group—an idea first introduced in Flight of Icarus. The episode does an excellent job showcasing different perspectives on post-combat trauma, reinforcing that these struggles shouldn’t be carried alone. In many ways, Monsoon is less about solving a crime and more about exploring the lingering effects of war on those who fought in it.
Franks’ Breaking Point
One of the most impactful moments of the episode is the culmination of Franks’ obsession with bringing Tish’s attacker to justice. Earlier in the season, she had begged him to leave the case to the FBI, but Episode 13 reveals that he never let it go. He spends hours staking out the laundromat where the suspect was last seen, reviewing case files and waiting for a break. This kind of relentless dedication is exactly what audiences expect from Franks—or even Gibbs—but it ultimately costs him dearly.
In a heartbreaking twist, Tish leaves him upon learning that he’s still pursuing the case against her wishes. The episode drives home this loss by juxtaposing it with flashbacks of how they first met. At his lowest point, with nothing but the clothes on his back, Franks found salvation in Tish. She gave him hope, and now, by ignoring her wishes, he’s lost her. His motivation was noble, but in the end, his actions were selfish—choosing his mission over their relationship.
Mike Franks (to Molina): “What we saw over there shouldn’t get buried. Even if no one wants to hear it.”
This line encapsulates one of the episode’s strongest themes: the importance of acknowledging and confronting trauma. Franks desperately wants to help Molina, just as the audience does, making it even more tragic when Molina is revealed to be the true killer. Suffering from a war-induced flashback, he attacked his friend without realizing it. The devastating realization cements Monsoon as one of Origins’ most powerful episodes.
A Few Missteps, but a Strong Episode Overall
Despite its many strengths, Monsoon does stumble in one key area: its use of music. The episode expertly integrates Procol Harum’s Whiter Shade of Pale, making it a meaningful motif when young Franks hears it on Tish’s radio. However, it then makes the mistake of forcing Bryan Adams’ Everything I Do (I Do It for You) into a scene where Detective Archer interrogates Jeremy Brody. The song, meant as a callback to a joke about Archer resembling Kevin Costner in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, completely undercuts the gravity of the moment. The interrogation scene would have been far more impactful without the unnecessary soundtrack.
While the subplot of characters fawning over Archer provides some levity, it feels out of place in an otherwise heavy episode. The humor doesn’t land as well as intended, making it the only real weak point in an otherwise stellar installment.
Final Thoughts
Monsoon is another standout episode in NCIS: Origins, reinforcing the series’ ability to tell deeply emotional and character-driven stories. While the original NCIS often balanced drama with humor, Origins is proving that a more serious approach can be just as compelling—if not more so. With Franks now at a major turning point, the show has plenty of avenues to explore, from his lingering grief over Tish to his continued struggle with his past.
If NCIS: Origins continues on this path, it has the potential to redefine what a crime procedural prequel can be.
