NCIS: Origins Season 1 Finale’s Shocking Twist Has Fans Desperate for Season 2 Answers!

Warning: SPOILERS for the NCIS: Origins episode “Cecilia” are ahead!

As NCIS: Origins debuted in October, the older version of Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs shared with viewers that the narrative unfolding in the prequel revolved around “her,” specifically Mariel Molino’s Cecilia “Lala” Dominguez. Given that Lala was never referred to during Gibbs’ tenure on the original NCIS, it seems there must have been a compelling reason for him to withhold this tale until now.

Now that the season finale of NCIS: Origins Season 1 has aired according to the 2025 TV schedule, we finally have some context. Watching the episode ahead of time left me curious about what the dramatic turn for Lala would imply for Origins Season 2, which has been confirmed. Luckily, showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal provided some insight shortly after on this surprising development.

How The NCIS: Showrunners Came Up With What Happened To Lala

Towards the end of “Cecilia,” Lala Dominguez swerved her vehicle to prevent a collision with a young girl who darted onto the road after her pet dog. Whether Lala survived the rollover or perished in the crash was uncertain, and North and Monreal declined to clarify when I spoke to them for an interview. However, they did explain their reasoning behind this plot choice: instead of having Lala injured during filming, they opted to stage the accident. Monreal specifically mentioned this decision as a means to protect Lala from potential harm on set.

It was clear from the start that the job might endanger her, which is what usually happens in such stories. Consequently, we decided to make the incident more of a common accident, as it could happen to anyone. This aspect makes it easy for people to connect with it on a personal level.

In a turn of events, Lala’s car accident occurred while she was en route to inform Austin Stowell’s character, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, that the investigation against him by Lara Macy would be discontinued. Claire Berger’s younger portrayal of a character originally played by Louise Lobard in NCIS, who was planning to arrest Gibbs for using a sniper rifle to kill Hernandez, was the cause. However, Lala, who had been collaborating with Mike Franks and Randy to shield Gibbs, arrived at her friend’s house instead, intending to take the rifle away. Macy then drew her weapon on Lala, prompting Lala to plead for Gibbs not to be arrested, even going so far as to fabricate a story that she had helped plan Hernandez’s murder to protect him.

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Lara Macy eventually gave in, not just because she felt justice had been served towards Hernandez, but also perhaps because Lala promised to support her joining NCIS, a place where we later see Macy working. Regrettably, Lala didn’t live to share this exciting news with Gibbs. Gina Lucita Monreal then added:

Life occasionally presents us with swift, transformative moments that drastically alter our paths. Such experiences seem to be a common thread among us all, making them both unexpected and remarkably relatable.

Because NCIS character Leroy Jethro Gibbs didn’t discover until Season 6, around two decades later, that Lara Macy had shielded him, it also implies Lala Dominguez never got to share with Gibbs her actions on his behalf. This could suggest a possibility that she might be deceased, but hold off on any bets for now.

How Lala’s Accident Will Affect NCIS: Origins Season 2

It’s unmistakable that Lala Dominguez’s situation, as it unfolds in NCIS: Origins Season 2, will significantly affect the other principal characters in the prequel. When I sought clarification about this from David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal, David shared that:

Without a doubt, Lala’s outcome will resonate throughout the entire group, creating a significant impact. This turning point could be felt across the board, so it’s crucial that we prepare ourselves, taking into account Diane’s impending presence as well.

While Lala was en route to visit Gibbs at his old family home, where he previously lived with his wife and child, Gibbs was conversing with a real estate agent his father had employed to sell the property. The agent praised Gibbs’ eyes and identified herself as Diane. It turns out, this is the younger incarnation of the woman who will eventually become Gibbs’ second spouse. This also clarifies why, despite the almost kiss shared by Gibbs and Lala in the Season 1 finale, their relationship did not develop romantically beyond that point, even though Lala remains alive. North added:

We aim to stay true to the original storyline while continuing to explore these characters’ journeys and maintain our enjoyment. Regardless of how Season 1 concluded, I’m confident that when we return, we’ll find a way to inject some levity, humor, and continue with the style of storytelling we’ve been using.

In “Cecilia”, the older Gibbs admitted that he didn’t find out about Lala’s actions for him until later, possibly not long after the Lara Macy revelation in 2009. However, it was not Lala’s act of saving Gibbs that made him love her; rather, he had always loved her and continues to do so. Despite them likely not ending up together, I hope they get another chance to communicate and that Lala lives a long life ahead.

While the exact release date for Season 2 of NCIS: Origins hasn’t been confirmed as of now, it’s expected to debut on CBS alongside Season 23 of NCIS this fall. Additionally, we can anticipate the arrival of the Paramount+-exclusive series NCIS: Tony & Ziva and the return of NCIS: Sydney for its third season around the same time.

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2025-04-29 06:12

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