Warning: SPOILERS for the NCIS: Origins episode “Bugs” are ahead!
In the opening episodes of “NCIS: Origins,” titled “Enter Sandman,” rookie NCIS agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs collaborates with his fellow agents to capture a sniper named Sandman. The case appeared straightforward when Jameson “Bugs” Boyd was arrested and admitted to murdering his girlfriend Melanie, her partner Dustin Cruz, and two more individuals. However, as the first season’s midseason finale unfolded in “Origins,” fragments of torn paper hinted that Bugs had been working with another sniper, and there were signs of a significant mistake during Operation Sundown.
In the recently broadcasted “Bugs” episode of Origins (2025), the plotline we’ve been waiting for was revisited. This episode dropped some huge revelations about the Sandman killer, making the Season 1 antagonist seem even scarier, and I must clarify that I’m not referring to Mr. Boyd in this context.
How Bugs Came Back Into The Picture On NCIS: Origins
In the process of collecting interviews for her psychological profile project, Vera Strickland encountered Bugs, one of the individuals she was considering. Unfortunately, their funding ran out before she could persuade him to fully disclose himself to her. It seemed like luck was on her side when she received a call from Bugs several weeks later, inviting her for another meeting. However, upon visiting the prison with her recording equipment, Bugs unexpectedly changed his mind and declined to converse with Vera anymore.
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Delving deeper into the intrigue, I, as a movie critic, found myself unraveling the latest twist in NCIS: Origins. It seemed someone made a clandestine phone call to Bugs following his conversation with me, and this secretive character used the term “family” – undeniably not referring to Bugs’ kin Hershel. The call was cryptic, yet unsettling enough for Bugs to abruptly cut off our discussion. The question remained: how did this unknown individual know about our impending conversation? Upon closer examination, it transpired that three hidden microphones had been surreptitiously installed in the NIS Camp Pendleton office.
At first, Mike Franks thought ex-NIS agent Roger Murphy might be guilty, but he denied any knowledge of the devices during their prison meeting with Gibbs. However, when Vera revisited Bugs later and turned off her camera, it was then that the sniper confessed to many details about the “Enter Sandman” incident. Yet, not all facts were disclosed entirely.
What Really Happened In ‘Enter Sandman’ And More
First things first, I’ll clear up the main point right away – it wasn’t bugs that killed Melanie; instead, the previously mentioned second sniper was responsible. This happened when Melanie discovered Bugs’ involvement in Operation Sundown and learned that Dustin Cruz, whom she wasn’t truly seeing, was being targeted. Before her death, Melanie warned Cruz about the danger, but it didn’t help him much as he was also killed by Bugs shortly after. Additionally, the second sniper ordered Bugs to torch Melanie’s house to eliminate any remaining evidence.

In the upcoming NCIS: Origins series, an essential character from Gibbs’ past is being introduced, and I can’t wait to witness their involvement in a pivotal event straight from the original series!
I’m Pleased that NCIS: Origins Resolved Mike Franks’ Most Intimate Case to Date, However, the Bittersweet Turn of Events Leaves Me Worried for His Future.
Why did Bugs confess to Melanie’s murder instead of revealing the sniper’s name as promised? All he told Vera was that he was protecting their mission, but it appears this won’t be the case anymore. This episode also featured Gibbs and Franks investigating the theft of Navy reservist Wyatt Morton’s wallet from his home. The wallet held the sole photograph Morton had of his father in his military uniform during World War II, which was extremely important to him.
As I observed, the second marksman had taken Morton’s wallet, for it contained the essential access card to the water supply facility where he was employed. Notably, this facility was positioned about half a mile from the prison that housed Bugs. With stealth and precision, the marksman found an optimal vantage point and, when his former partner was out in the yard, he made a chilling shot to the head. Undeniably, this individual is no joker, so it’s crucial for the Origins team to remain vigilant whenever they encounter him.
With “Darlin’, Don’t Refrain” set to air next Monday at 10 pm ET on CBS, we find ourselves in a situation where the second sniper is still at large and has plans to complete a mission linked to Operation Sundown. It’s possible that he placed the listening devices at Camp Pendleton’s office himself or had an accomplice do it, hinting at a potential three-person conspiracy. I can’t wait to see how this plotline unfolds in the upcoming episode… unless it extends into Season 2 of “NCIS: Origins”, which has been officially greenlit.
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2025-04-15 06:39