NCIS: Origins gave us some more background on Wheeler while the team looked into the murder of a Marine whose death was thought to be due to a cougar attack. Due to animal rights activists’ protesting the possible death of the cougar for the attack, this made the agents’ jobs a little harder determining who actually killed her.
Lance Corporal Natasha Horvat was found deceased and despite it looking like a cougar attack, she had stab wounds on her body. Activists’ surrounded the scene believing the animal would be killed, not knowing the cougar didn’t kill the victim.
Horvat had recently been selected to be part of a classified mission, headed by Lieutenant Colonel Casey Montgomery. He was the last person to see her alive since he had driven her home, however he claimed to have seen her talking to a man with brown hair. His alibi was shaky at best, and later under questioning, he admitted to spending the night at a hotel with another man.
Wheeler has a difficult choice to make on NCIS: Origins season 2, episode 7
Due to Article 125, he could have his career ruined due to homosexual conduct. This was a decision Wheeler had to make, considering his own personal struggles with his sexuality. The episode also revealed that due to his relationship with Agent Noah Oakley, his wife decided to divorce him.
Wheeler knew he had an obligation to report Mongomery’s conduct. However, Mary Jo refused to make the call so Wheeler could report it. After a tense stand off with Wheeler where she revealed that she knew about him, she told him that she would continue doing her job of running the office, but he would have to make that call himself.
In the end, Wheeler decided not to report Montgomery for being gay. He told the Colonel that he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself. Wheeler also made sure to make amends with Mary Jo, feeling relieved to not have to carry a huge weight on his own.
As for Horvat, the team discovered the missing piece of the murder weapon thanks to an animal activist who found it and brought it to the office when Lala was alone. After going crazy and refusing to hand it over, thinking that Lala would have the cougar killed, she finally got him to release the weapon.
Other evidence found was a distinct green pen that was found at a bar Horvat had been spotted at, with a man who fit Montgomery’s description. Randy recognized the pen, which belonged to Wilhelm Banks, who had been at the crime scene to fix the power after it kept going out.
Banks had apparently seen Horvat outside her barracks while doing a job and he asked her out. After their date, he went farther than she wanted to. He got enraged and stabbed her to death. It was a sad story that happens far too often, but the team was able to find her killer while also making sure a decorated Colonel kept his job.
The episode also revealed Vera was looking into a recommendation to head up a Joint Criminal Intelligence Team that was taking place in Washington, D.C. Representatives from the FBI, DEA, CID, and NIS would be working together to better share information that would help solve crimes.
This led to tension with Lala, who didn’t know that Vera was thinking of moving. However, Vera eventually decided not to take it. Wheeler, though, decided to nominate someone else in her place. He told the Director that he recommended Noah Oakley, saying he would make a great leader.
While it is thoughtful of Wheeler to recommend Oakley, it also is set against older Gibbs’ narrating over how being alone could lead to pushing people away. Is this Wheeler trying to push Oakley away due to his struggles? Wheeler’s arc has been a journey to watch and fans continue to look forward to what comes of it.
NCIS: Origins has one episode before the fall finale break. In the meantime, previous episodes are available on Paramount+.