The NCIS: Origins premiere left us half-hoping that the relationship between Lala and Gibbs still has a future. They still clearly have feelings for each other, although neither one of them is ready to admit it.
Caution: This post contains SPOILERS from the NCIS: Origins season 2 episode 2
Running away is easier for both, and Lala seems much changed after her near-death experience. A theme that NCIS: Origins season 2 episode 2 dives into even deeper.
NCIS: Origins season 2 shows us a darker side of Lala
The once-bold investigator now finds comfort in religion, retreating to the church as a kind of sanctuary. She’s more cautious now, avoiding driving altogether. And there may even be complications after the crash that she's trying to hide until she won't be able to anymore.
But this episode shows us changes in Lala that run deeper than fear and pain. When she’s dropped off at a crime scene by Flaco Navarro, she lies about it. Whatever she's getting herself involved in doesn’t look entirely legal.
When she talks to Vera, we learn that Lala is helping Flaco find his cousin’s killer. Or rather, she's considering his offer to take down the man, a Rico Luna. It’s a morally gray mission, driven in part by the fact that Flaco saved Randy’s life.
If she goes all in, will this cut her career short? By the end of the episode, Lala is determined to pull out of the deal, realizing how far she’s drifted from who she used to be. She says she wants to set a better example for Gibbs, stop him from going rogue again.
But Flaco's words still echo: "He cares what you think or you care what he thinks about you?" And Lala can go in any direction from here. We're yet to see if her moral compass will push her to make the right choice.
NCIS: Origins season 2 episode 2 brings a new change in the Lala-Gibbs dynamics
The crash hasn’t only scarred Lala, it has also changed Gibbs. He blames himself, knowing she was rushing to him that night, to tell him the investigation against him was dropped. His fear of losing her makes him bottle up his emotions. What's more, he's so affected by what happened that he loses control in the field, lashing out at suspects and throwing unfounded accusations.
Diane tries to keep him grounded, though her support feels more like therapy than a romantic relationship. Gibbs is still using her as a distraction, a way to suppress what he really feels for Lala.
Meanwhile, Gibbs can't help but notice something is off about Lala. Franks shrugs it off, thinking she’s hiding a boyfriend, but Gibbs knows her too well. He senses there's something she's not telling the team.
Their conversations are still awkward. They avoid real talk, discussing "safe" things like Gibbs's first interrogation. But under that surface, their feelings are palpable. Gibbs even admits he cares what she thinks—a rare moment of vulnerability for a character so guarded about his emotions.
Will Lala truly drop the offer to help Flaco and bring down Luna? Will Gibbs convince her not to step into the dark side? As more repercussions after Lala's car crash start showing, we're expecting answers soon.
NCIS: Origins airs on Tuesdays at 9/8c on CBS.
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