The season one finale of NCIS: Origins delivered a stunning blow to viewers, culminating in a violent car crash involving the character of Special Agent Lala Dominguez, portrayed by Mariel Molino, leaving her apparent fate hanging precariously in the balance. The final, harrowing scene depicted Lala seemingly lifeless amidst the wreckage, igniting a wave of speculation and concern among the dedicated fanbase of the NCIS prequel.
In the days following the broadcast, Mariel Molino herself addressed the swirling questions surrounding her character’s survival. Speaking candidly at CBS Fest, Molino revealed that she remains in the dark regarding Lala’s future within the show’s narrative. “Oh man…. I hope she comes back. I hope that she’s alive,” she confessed to TV Line, echoing the sentiments of many viewers. However, she tempered this hope with a dose of realism, acknowledging the NCIS franchise’s penchant for dramatic and often unpredictable character arcs, stating, “But who knows. The NCIS [franchise] has taken big swings before with characters and their futures, so it’s tough to say.” In a lighthearted plea to the show’s ardent followers, she playfully added, “Turn on those candles and pray, please!”
Adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding drama, NCIS: Origins showrunner David J. North offered a cryptic hint that Lala’s story might not have reached its definitive conclusion. In an interview with TV Insider, North emphasized the production team’s deliberate approach to storytelling, stating that they “always planned on taking big swings.” He further noted that the cast members were aware of this creative strategy, suggesting that the shocking finale was an intentional move to generate suspense. North strategically encouraged viewers to tune in to the highly anticipated second season to finally uncover the truth behind Lala’s fate.
The potential impact of this pivotal event on the series’ central character, the young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Austin Stowell, was also brought to light. Stowell indicated that regardless of whether Lala ultimately survives the crash, the incident will serve as a significant turning point for his character. He poignantly expressed that Gibbs would be burdened by a profound sense of guilt, acutely aware that Lala was en route to meet him when the tragic accident occurred. This suggests that the events of the finale will likely have lasting repercussions on Gibbs’ development, potentially offering insights into the more emotionally guarded demeanor he exhibits in the original NCIS series.
Intriguingly, the narrative framing of the finale also contributes to the prevailing uncertainty. The older Gibbs, voiced by the iconic Mark Harmon, notably speaks of Lala in the past tense during the episode’s closing moments, a subtle yet potentially significant linguistic choice that has fueled darker theories among viewers regarding her survival.
As it stands, no official confirmation has been released concerning Lala Dominguez’s ultimate fate. The deliberate ambiguity maintained by the showrunners and the cast has effectively transformed this storyline into a major point of discussion and fervent speculation within the NCIS fandom. As fans eagerly await the premiere of the second season of NCIS: Origins, the question of Lala’s survival remains a compelling and unresolved mystery, promising further dramatic developments in the series’ future.
