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NCIS: Origins took viewers on a nostalgic trip back to the ’90s by cleverly referencing Mark Wahlberg‘s early career as “Marky Mark,” and his brother Donnie Wahlberg‘s group, New Kids on the Block.
In the episode that aired on Tuesday, October 14, the popular CBS series revealed that Randy (Caleb Foote) had previously requested to spend less time in the field, which resulted in him being assigned to desk duty. This new role allowed him to indulge his passion for music, leading to the discovery of fresh musical talents.
“I swear, this song [‘Good Vibrations’] is a revelation,” Randy enthusiastically shared with Franks (Kyle Schmid), Wheeler (Patrick Fischler), and Gibbs (Austin Stowell). “Even when the world feels upside down, Marky Mark has a way of making everything seem better.”
Franks found himself puzzled by the mention of the name, asking, “Wait, his last name is Mark, and his mom named him Marky?” Randy then explained that Mark was considered the “bad boy” of the family, especially since his brother Donnie was part of a boy band.
The season 1 finale of NCIS: Origins delivered a dramatic twist by seemingly killing off a main character, introducing a new face connected to Gibbs’ future, and sparking new life into a fan theory. During the episode on Monday, April 28, the storyline delved into Gibbs’ (Austin Stowell) involvement in the death of Pedro Hernandez, investigated by Macy (Claire), a friend of Lala (Mariel Molino).
“Donnie Mark,” Franks asked, to which Randy replied, “No, Donnie Wahlberg.”
Randy tried to explain that “it is a stage name” — only for Franks to confuse which brother wasn’t using their real name professionally.
“Who puts Wahlberg as a stage name?” Franks asked. Elsewhere in the episode, Gibbs “tried” to get into Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch’s music, noting, “Marky Mark does not make me feel good.”
Despite Gibbs’ unenthusiastic response, he joined in when Franks, Randy and Lala (Mariel Molino) sang “Good Vibrations” at the end of the episode. Season 2 returned with other fun surprises such as the revelation that Lala was still alive after a near fatal car crash.
Before NCIS: Origins returned for season 2, creators Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North teased the onscreen changes.
“That was really our ultimate goal from the start was to make a show that the fans of the original show loved and felt satisfied by. But [it is] also [a show] that new viewers can come in from the beginning of NCIS: Origins,” Monreal explained exclusively to Us Weekly in April. “Viewers can jump in and not be confused and really get on board with our characters and their stories. We’ve always approached it from that point of view. I feel like we’ve succeeded.”
NCIS: Origins will return for the highly anticipated season 2 in October — but will everyone from the cast be back? During the season 1 finale of the NCIS prequel, the young Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ (Austin Stowell) part in killing the man who was responsible for the deaths of his wife and daughter was discovered […]
She continued: “We’re really keen on sticking to canon [events]. We’re strict about that. We want to pay respect to the mothership. We both have written on the mothership and do love that show. But we also love branching out into our new characters and digging into their emotional lives.”
North, meanwhile, previewed what fans can expect with Randy after his scene-stealing presence in season 1.
“We can’t get enough Randy. So in season 2, there’s going to be no shortage of Randy,” North confirmed. “But he’s struggling with something. A lot of those agents and police officers do. It’s hard when you have a family and it’s a dangerous job. So he’s struggling with that. But we can promise you there’s going to be no shortage of Randy.
NCIS: Origins airs on CBS Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET.