NCIS Origins Season 2 Episode 6, titled “Happy Birthday,” brings a chilling new case and emotional character beats as the young Gibbs era continues to deepen in this high-stakes prequel. Airing Tuesday, Nov. 18 (9:00–10:00 PM ET/PT)on CBS and streaming the next day on Paramount+, the episode delivers a mix of suspense, nostalgia, and personal drama—hallmarks of the NCIS universe.

In “Happy Birthday,” the Camp Pendleton team is thrust into a disturbing investigation after an anonymous tip leads agents to the body of a young Marine at an unsettling crime scene. Randy immediately notices a detail that turns the case on its head: a coin placed inside the victim’s throat, suggesting a possible connection to a previous murder investigation. As Randy pushes to revisit the old case, tensions rise and deeper motives begin to emerge. This thread puts Randy front-and-center, giving him one of his most compelling arcs of the season.

Meanwhile, Mike Franks faces his own personal mission, tracking down a series of priceless packages intended for his brother Mason, played by guest star Philip Winchester. The search quickly becomes more complicated than expected, revealing family turmoil, emotional stakes, and unspoken history. Franks’ journey adds both levity and depth, exploring the bonds that shaped him long before he became the hardened mentor NCIS fans know so well.

Written by Gina Lucita Monreal, Ryan Lee, and Rafael Samano, with teleplay by Lee and Samano and direction by Lionel Coleman, the episode blends procedural intensity with emotional resonance. “Happy Birthday” reinforces how NCIS: Origins honors franchise tradition—while expanding it with character-driven stories that explore the foundation of Gibbs’ legendary NCIS career.

About the Series

NCIS: Origins serves as a gripping prequel following a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell) in the early 1990s at NCIS Camp Pendleton. Narrated by Mark Harmon, the series bridges the past and present, giving longtime NCIS fans a deeper look into Gibbs’ early life, the cases that shaped him, and the mentors who molded his signature moral code.

Season 2 dives deeper into the team dynamic under the leadership of Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid) while exploring Gibbs’ growth, loyalty, and instincts as a rookie agent. This season also picks up the emotional aftermath of Lala’s car crash, a storyline still shaping the team’s personal and professional trajectory.

Main Cast

Austin Stowell as Leroy Jethro Gibbs
Mariel Molino as Lala Dominguez
Kyle Schmid as Mike Franks
Tyla Abercrumbie as Mary Jo Hayes
Diany Rodriguez as Vera Strickland
Caleb Foote as Bernard “Randy” Randolf

Production

Produced by CBS Studios, the series is helmed by executive producers David J. North, Gina Lucita Monreal, Mark Harmon, and Sean Harmon.

With a chilling mystery, powerful character beats, and two intersecting storylines filled with tension and emotion, NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 6 “Happy Birthday” stands out as one of the most impactful episodes of the season.