Hold on tight, NCIS fans! The fate of Special Agent Lala Dominguez hangs in the balance after that shocking car crash finale of NCIS: Origins Season 1. Is she alive? Is she gone? We're all desperate for answers, and tonight's Season 2 premiere promises to shed some light on this burning question. But here's the twist: even before the episode airs, Austin Stowell, who plays the young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, has dropped some major hints about Lala's future.
As you may recall, the first season ended with Lala (Mariel Molino) seemingly meeting a tragic end in a fiery car accident. She was on her way to deliver fantastic news to Gibbs: Lara Macy (Claire Berger) had agreed to drop the investigation into Pedro Hernandez's murder, effectively clearing Gibbs. The suspense has been killing us ever since!
Thankfully, the wait is almost over. Tune into CBS tonight at 9pm EST to see what unfolds. In the meantime, let's dissect what Austin Stowell has revealed. He told TVLine, "Lala will be back in some capacity." That's not exactly a definitive "she's alive and kicking," is it? But wait, there's more! Stowell continued, "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." Does this mean Lala will return to the NCIS Camp Pendleton office? It certainly sounds promising.
And this is the part most people miss: Stowell carefully framed his statement as hypothetical, even though Mariel Molino has teased her return to set with on-set photos. He emphasizes that losing Mariel and Lala would be a "tragedy" and a "disservice to the show." He passionately believes, "I don't think that Lala and Gibbs' story is done, we need to see that through." This suggests a deep connection between their characters and a strong desire to continue exploring their dynamic. But here's where it gets controversial... Is Stowell simply being diplomatic, or is he genuinely hinting at a miraculous recovery?
Showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal also chimed in, speaking to TVLine back in July about Gibbs's evolving leadership role. They explained that Season 2 will show Gibbs gradually stepping into the shoes of the leader we know from the original NCIS. "We're inching our way there, definitely, in a way that we think is honest for the character," they said. They used the example of Gibbs's gut feeling about the "Bugs" case in Season 1: "Gibbs didn't go down that path, he didn't gnaw at Franks and say, 'Hey, my gut…' — and he learned in the end he was right." These moments, they emphasized, are "stepping stones toward becoming the Gibbs that we met in 2003," when Mark Harmon first brought the character to life. This careful development of Gibbs's character is crucial for the show's credibility and connection to the original series.
Stowell also confessed to Deadline that playing a younger version of Mark Harmon's iconic character is still nerve-wracking. "I was scared for so many reasons," he admitted, citing the show being his first network TV role, his first time playing a previously portrayed character, and his first time being number one on the call sheet.
However, he embraces the pressure: "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. I feel like I do thrive in that situation." Despite his confidence, Stowell remains humble, acknowledging, "I don't think I'll ever quite get comfortable because, at the end of the day, Gibbs will always be Mark Harmon's character, and I'm playing the younger version of that." This respect for the original character is palpable and reassures fans that Gibbs's legacy is in good hands.
So, what do you think? Is Lala alive? Will she return to NCIS Camp Pendleton? And how do you feel about Austin Stowell's portrayal of the young Gibbs? Do you think he's capturing the essence of the character, or is Mark Harmon simply irreplaceable? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Let's discuss!
