“Major ramifications on him” – NCIS: Origins star reveals how Lala’s tragic fate will impact Gibbs

NCIS: Origins Season 1 ended on a cliffhanger as Lala’s fate hung in the balance. After 18 thrilling episodes, the debut installment of the NCIS prequel came to an end on April 28, 2025, leaving fans shocked.

In the final moments of the last episode, Lala meets with an accident, and flames erupt from her car. While audiences are worried whether the special agent will make it out alive, Austin Stowell, who plays the lead Leroy Jethro Gibbs, has talked about how the incident will impact his character.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the actor said the accident will have some major consequences, no matter whether Lala lives or dies. Gibbs would think he always ends up getting people hurt, which would change his character dynamics:

“This will have major ramifications on him. No matter what happens, he just cannot seem to stop hurting people. I don't know whether it'll make him double down on his feelings for her or make him so scared that he wants to completely retract.”

Austin Stowell talks about the impact of Lala’s accident on Gibbs in NCIS: Origins

Austin Stowell added that he does not currently know whether Lala will survive the tragedy in NCIS: Origins, but one thing is for sure: Gibbs is going to feel guilty. The actor said:

“Is she dead? Is she in a coma? Is she paralyzed? I don't know any of these things. I know this much. He's going to find out that she was in a car accident after it seems like she was on the way to his house, so the guilt will only build.”

In NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 18, Special Agent Cecilia "Lala" Dominguez, played by Mariel Molino, gets Lara Macy to drop the Pedro Hernandez murder investigation against Gibbs. She then rushes to announce the good news to Gibbs, but a little girl comes in front of her car. In order to save her, Lala loses control of her car and crashes it.

Considering that Lala is not a part of Gibbs’ life in the original NCIS series, fans are wondering if her death is the reason behind her absence. Her fate will be revealed in NCIS: Origins Season 2, which has already been renewed by CBS.

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The prequel series follows Gibbs’ early days as a special agent as he tries to settle into the agency while grappling with the loss of his wife and child. Over the course of the first season, he forms a close bond with Lala, and the two almost end up kissing in the season 1 finale.

NCIS: Origins is available to stream on Paramount+.

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