Picture this: a heart-pounding cliffhanger that leaves fans on the edge of their seats, with a key character seemingly lost in a devastating car crash. That's the emotional rollercoaster kicking off the return of NCIS: Origins tonight—and spoiler alert, it might not be as final as it seemed! For those new to the series, NCIS stands for Naval Criminal Investigative Service, a popular CBS show that dives into military investigations, thrillers, and team dynamics. This spin-off, Origins, explores the early days of legendary agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Austin Stowell, offering a fresh take on familiar faces and untold backstories. But here's where it gets intriguing: the season one finale ended with Special Agent Lala Dominguez (portrayed by Mariel Molino) appearing lifeless after a fiery accident, right when she was headed to deliver thrilling news to Gibbs. She had just spoken with Lara Macy (Claire Berger), who agreed to halt the probe into Pedro Hernandez's murder, effectively clearing Gibbs of suspicion. Fans have been buzzing ever since, craving clarity as the show resumes on CBS at 9pm EST tomorrow. Luckily, Austin Stowell himself has dropped some tantalizing hints about Lala's future in season two.
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In an exclusive chat with TVLine, Austin revealed that Lala will indeed return in some form, stating, 'She went through a terrible accident and anybody who would go through something like that, there are going to be adjustments and baby steps coming back into the workplace.' This suggests she's not only alive but poised to rejoin the team at the NCIS Camp Pendleton office, perhaps with some real-life inspired recovery elements like gradual reintegration to make it authentic. Even though he framed it as hypothetical, Austin emphasized how losing Mariel as Lala would be a 'tragedy' and a 'disservice to the show,' adding, 'I don't think that Lala and Gibbs' story is done, we need to see that through.' And this is the part most people miss: Mariel has been spotted back on set in photos, which subtly backs up the idea that her character arc isn't over yet. It's a clever way to build suspense, isn't it?
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Diving deeper into the show's direction, co-showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal discussed with TVLine how Austin's portrayal of a younger Gibbs is evolving toward the commanding leader fans know from the original series. 'We're inching our way there, definitely, in a way that we think is honest for the character,' they explained, pointing to subtle moments like Gibbs' internal doubts about the 'Bugs' case in season one. For beginners, think of it as Gibbs starting to trust his instincts more—kind of like a detective honing their gut feelings through trial and error. David noted how Gibbs avoided pushing his theories on mentor Mike Franks initially, only to be proven right later, framing these as 'stepping stones' toward the confident Gibbs introduced in 2003, when Mark Harmon took over the role. It's a natural progression that shows character growth isn't instant, making the story feel grounded and relatable.
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Austin also opened up to Deadline about the challenges of stepping into such an iconic part, admitting the role still makes him nervous. 'I was scared for so many reasons,' he shared, highlighting the intensity of his first network TV gig, playing a character already defined by another actor, and even being the lead on set. But here's where it gets controversial—does reviving a character like Lala risk diluting the drama of that cliffhanger? Some might argue it's a smart narrative choice to explore recovery and relationships, while others could see it as undermining the stakes. Austin embraces the pressure, saying, 'I'm someone who likes pressure; I like to be put in that situation. I want the ball in my hands at the bottom of the ninth.' Yet, he acknowledges he'll never fully shake the nerves because 'Gibbs will always be Mark Harmon's character,' adding layers to what it means to honor a legacy without overshadowing it.
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What do you think, fans? Should shows like NCIS: Origins bring back characters from near-death experiences, or does it cheapen the impact of such intense moments? Is Austin doing justice to Gibbs' younger self, or are there elements missing? Drop your opinions in the comments—let's debate whether this is a fresh spin or a risky gamble!
