NCIS: Origins left fans anxiously anticipating Lala’s outcome for six long months — did she make it through or succumb to that devastating car accident?
The season 2 premiere on Tuesday, October 14, opened with Gibbs (Austin Stowell) contemplating the transformations within NCIS. The narrative, voiced by Mark Harmon as the elder Gibbs, transported viewers back to the pool where Gibbs and Lala (Mariel Molino) were on the verge of their first kiss during the season 1 finale.
“The neighbors were oblivious to how Lala used to sneak in for a swim. They only knew that a few months ago, a lovely young woman requested permission to use it,” older Gibbs narrated. “Her left thigh was severely injured, resulting in a crushed muscle, a collapsed lung, and traumatic brain injury.”
Although the woman was initially off-screen, her injuries were depicted vividly on-screen — showcasing significant scars on her leg and neck.
“That was her challenge to conquer. She felt the rehab she received in the hospital wasn’t sufficient. So, she took it upon herself to enhance her recovery. It involved many long nights for her,” Gibbs detailed as Lala made her first appearance. “She pushed herself to the brink, enduring as much as she could handle. Because her primary concern was to return to work, so that we wouldn’t have to go on without her.”
Confirmation of Lala’s survival arrives after the dramatic season 1 finale, which aired in April and depicted her as likely deceased following a catastrophic car accident. In that episode, Lala was en route to Gibbs’ house when she swerved to avoid a girl in the road, resulting in her car flipping multiple times, apparently killing her instantly.
Lala’s potential demise didn’t take fans by surprise, especially those familiar with the original NCIS series, where Gibbs has experienced the loss of four wives: Shannon, Diane, Rebecca, and Stephanie. Despite the finale leaving Lala’s fate cloaked in uncertainty, Molino, 32, seemed to suggest through postmortem interviews that she might not appear in the show again.
“I’m going to definitely miss our crew. The bond between our cast and crew is so strong — I cherish seeing all the familiar faces each morning, joking around, and doing the show that we enjoy so much,” she shared with TVLine in April. “I feel incredibly fortunate. I really appreciate these individuals, my team, and my character. So, although I miss them, some time off feels nice as well.”
Molino revealed details about upcoming projects she plans to embark on following her seemingly confirmed departure from NCIS: Origins, including titles like Die Like a Man and Vgly. The creators, Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North, along with Stowell, remained discreet about Lala’s situation.
“While we can’t guarantee [Lala’s safety], we assure you’ll find out if you join us for season 2,” North revealed in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly. “We aimed to take bold risks. Mariel was aware from the beginning that we intended to take bold chances, and she was onboard for whatever was essential to elicit genuine feelings from the audience. That’s our focus.”
Monreal implied that it was always their intention to conclude the season with Lala’s life hanging in the balance.
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“Our ultimate aim was to create a show that delighted fans of the original series while also welcoming newcomers to experience the beginnings of NCIS: Origins,” Monreal stressed. “We want viewers to engage without feeling confused and to connect with our characters and their journeys. We have always approached the series with that mindset, and I believe we have succeeded in our goal.”
She added, “We are committed to adhering to canon events; this is our priority. We respect the legacy of the main series. Both of us have written for the original show and adore it, but we also love to explore our new characters and dive deep into their emotional journeys.”
NCIS: Origins airs on CBS every Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET.
