NCIS: Origins Episode 12, Touchstone, delivers an emotional and gripping story, shifting the focus to an overlooked character – Dick Kowalski.
As Gibbs and Kowalski uncover a shocking break-in at the NIS evidence room, buried secrets and past traumas resurface. But there’s so many more moments in the episode that are just unmissable (we’re glad that’s a real word).
Here’s a whole list!
1Robbery in the NIS Evidence Room
As Dick Kowalski (Michael Harney) starts his morning routine, baking sourdough bread before heading to work, he walks into a nightmare – someone has broken into the NIS evidence room.
The usually calm and collected evidence custodian is visibly shaken, especially when it becomes clear that a staggering $41,000 is missing.
Gibbs (Austin Stowell) is quick on the scene, but even he knows this is no ordinary theft. As the agents begin piecing together the chaotic scene, tensions rise, and suspicions mount.
2Kowalski’s Prison Flashback
While investigating the break-in, Kowalski finds himself lost in a haunting memory. A flashback takes him to Korea, where a younger version of himself emerges from what looks like a prison.
The episode cleverly uses these moments to hint at Kowalski’s harrowing past, drawing a parallel between his former imprisonment and his current distress over the breach of security.
His attachment to the NIS evidence room isn’t just professional – it’s deeply personal. The flashbacks reveal that during his time as a prisoner of war, Kowalski held onto a single rock, the only thing he had left.
This small detail becomes a metaphor for his entire career – his job at NIS was his stability, and now, that too has been taken from him.
3Kowalski’s Resignation Letter
As the investigation unfolds, chaos engulfs the NIS office. Kowalski, a man of routine and precision, is pushed to his breaking point. He watches in horror as agents disrupt his carefully organized evidence room in their search for answers.
When the NIS K-9 unit, led by Special Agent Gary Callahan, further disturbs the scene, Kowalski snaps. Frustrated and overwhelmed, he storms out, only to return with a yellow notepad – his resignation letter.
For Kowalski, this isn’t just about a stolen sum; it’s about a loss of trust and control. His departure sends shockwaves through the team, leaving everyone questioning how they will manage without his expertise.
4Lala’s Old Fling is Back
Just as the case begins to gain momentum, Lala (Mariel Molino) finds herself distracted by an unexpected run-in. While tracking down a suspect named Flaco, she bumps into an old flame, Eddie (Ektor Rivera).
The awkward encounter visibly unsettles her, and Gibbs doesn’t let it slide. He later asks if he should note it in his report, assuming Eddie is her boyfriend. Lala, caught off guard, reveals they’ve broken up.
This moment, though seemingly minor, adds another layer to Lala’s character development. It’s a reminder that even the most hardened agents have personal entanglements that can impact their work.
5New Details Are Discovered
Gibbs and Lala follow Flaco’s lead, which unexpectedly ties back to an earlier case from episode 4. As they investigate, Lala notices something off – a set of scuff marks on the floor. Upon closer inspection, she realizes they’re from a ladder.
This seemingly small detail flips the entire case upside down. Up until this point, the team assumed the break-in was an external job. But the ladder marks suggest otherwise—the thief didn’t break in from outside.
Instead, they were already inside NIS. This revelation sends a ripple of unease through the team. If the culprit is one of their own, trust within the agency is about to be shattered.
6Recovery of the Stolen Cash
With their new theory in mind, Franks (Kyle Schmid) and Cliff Wheeler (Patrick Fischler) take drastic action. They lock down the building and call in their secret weapon: the K-9 unit.
Special Agent Gary Callahan, the highly trained police dog, is put to work. Within minutes, he sniffs out the stolen cash hidden inside a filing cabinet.
The guilty party? Roger (Eric Normington), an unsuspecting member of the NIS team. As Franks confronts Roger, the agent crumbles under pressure, confirming that the breach was an inside job.
7More of Kowalski’s Flashbacks
Even as the case is solved, Kowalski remains at home, replaying memories of his darkest days as a prisoner. The incident has made him question everything, and despite Franks’ attempt to bring him back, he refuses.
His resignation stands. This departure marks a bittersweet moment for the team, especially for Gibbs, who recognizes the invaluable role Kowalski played. The question now is—will he ever return?
8Gibbs’ Character Growth
Amidst all the chaos, the episode continues to subtly shape Gibbs’ character. His interactions with Lala, Kowalski, and Franks showcase his growing leadership skills.
He’s not just reacting to situations – he’s learning how to navigate the complex dynamics of his team. Each case, each challenge, is molding him into the legendary NCIS agent fans know and love.
This episode, in particular, highlights his ability to see the bigger picture, a trait that will define his career.
9Evidence Room or Crime Scene?
With Kowalski gone and a traitor exposed, the NIS office will never be the same. Trust has been broken, and the team is left scrambling to pick up the pieces.
The evidence room, once Kowalski’s sanctuary, now feels like a crime scene. This shake-up sets the stage for future conflicts, as the agents grapple with the aftermath of the betrayal.
One thing is clear – things are only going to get more intense from here. More mystery, more history, and a TON of intense drama.
10The Emotional NCIS Crew
Episode 12 was an emotional rollercoaster, putting the spotlight on an underappreciated character while delivering some shocking twists.
Kowalski’s exit leaves a void, and the revelation that an insider was behind the theft will have long-term consequences.
The Questions we have…
With only a few episodes left in the season, the stakes have never been higher. Will Gibbs step up in Kowalski’s absence? Will Lala’s past continue to haunt her? And most importantly – who will be the next agent to face the heat?
Fans will have to stay tuned to find out.
About NCIS: Origins
A prequel to the NCIS franchise, set in 1991, this series follows a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell) as he begins his career as a Probationary Agent with the Naval Investigative Service (NIS), the precursor to NCIS.
Still grappling with the trauma of losing his wife and daughter, Gibbs navigates his new role at the Camp Pendleton office under the mentorship of seasoned agent Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid), a character originally played by Muse Watson in the original series.
Narrated by an older, retired Gibbs (Mark Harmon), the show blends gritty crime-solving with emotional depth, exploring Gibbs’ formative years and the origins of his iconic no-nonsense persona.
NCIS: Origin released on October 14, 2024.
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