IndianaGuy

Twenty years ago, when this came out on Fox, I debated whether to watch it, and decided against. Now, in 2025, Netflix has picked it up, and this time curiosity won out. I am currently on episode 8 of season 1. Some would say that's too soon to rate a show 5 out of 10, but allow me to explain. Let's start with our main character, played by Miller. He can't act. That's a big problem for a tv series or movie. His one facial expression (used 95% of the time) looks like he's staring into the sun while trying to decide what to have for dinner. The guy who plays his brother is a much better actor. He can make his face do 2 or 3 things. The full body tattoo thing is utterly ridiculous. These tattoos look nothing like a blueprint to a prison facility, until the magic of computer simulation is overlaid onto them. Dumb. The plot didn't need this idiocy. My final criticism is one that only someone 20 years after the show started, and knows that there are five seasons, can make: it's obviously a Gilligan's Island plot (with more violence). Consider: his brother will be executed in 21 days and we have to break everyone out of the prison in THREE weeks. But, not to repeat myself, I now go into this series knowing there were five seasons. We're not gettin' off the island, little buddy. Even if the Professor makes a radio out of a coconut. But the viewers will keep tuning in week after week to see if we can do it! Yeah, I'm gonna stick it out until the end of season 1 and see if the eye-rollers calm down. Right now, it's pretty bad. FIVE stars, because Sarah Wayne Callies is just too terrific, and because the bad guys are just so evil, corrupt and omnipotent (even though the one guy starts to question things), we have to wonder how they can be stopped.

I saw this was popular on Netflix, so I decided to give it a go. After the first episode, I was ready to call it quits. I mean, the dialog is well-written and the cinematography is remarkable, but let's face it, episode 1 is a little like waiting for paint to dry. Things get considerably more interesting in episode 2. The scene which makes up most of episode 3 in which Jamie is interviewed by a shrink (played beautifully by Erin Doherty) is absolutely brilliant, both in terms of writing and performances. I don't want to say too much about episode 4 except that it sheds light on things well, and gives the viewer a lot to think about, even though it's uncomfortable to watch.

Short story - keep going - it's worth it.

My wife and I started to feel the original series "NCIS" was getting a little bit silly at times, but we still watched it, when there was absolutely nothing else to do. When "Origins" came out, we were skeptical, but willing to try. And we greatly prefer this series over what has become of the original NCIS. There are moments of comic relief, but the show as a whole has a much more serious, dramatic feel.

Now the actors- Austin Stowells as Jethro is not great. There's just something off about the guy's timing. Kyle Schmid is doing his damnedest as Mike Franks but the Franks character doesn't always make sense. He's angry at everything, and there's no explanation why. He winds up being annoying 90% of the time.

The strength in the cast, in our opinion, is Mariel Molino as Dominguez (thumbs WAY up) and Tyla Abercrumbie as Sullivan. Solid performances as characters that add value to the show. And the comical guy on the team is Caleb Foote as Randolph. He's no DiNozzo, but we really like him.