Despite NCIS: Origins poising a love story to take place this season between Gibbs and Lala, who grew closer while navigating the emotional and legal fallout of Pedro Hernandez’s (George Paez) murder, Gibbs is dating Diane (Kathleen Kenny) when Lala returns in NCIS: Origins Season 2. According to the original series, which has over two decades of story development, Diane, played by Melinda McGraw on the flagship, becomes Gibbs’ second wife. After her appearance in the finale and premiere, younger Diane is back again in “Who by Fire.”
Fans of Harmon’s original show have known about Gibbs’ second wife for years, and NCIS: Origins revealed the younger version of Diane Sterling in Season 1. Aligning with the lore of the original series, younger Diane, the real estate agent tasked with selling the home Gibbs lived in with Kelly and Shannon, debuted in the finale. While the flagship never clarified the exact details of when the romance took off, audiences learn that Gibbs and Diane are already in a reasonably serious romance in NCIS: Origins Season 2’s premiere.
Gibbs and Diane’s romance is far from ideal for anyone who wants to see the future Special Agent-in-Charge explore the connection he has with Dominguez. Lala and Gibbs were inches away from kissing in the pool in NCIS: Origins Season 1’s finale before Leroy revealed that he turned himself in, cutting the moment short and prompting Lala to save him. Perhaps things had been different if Lala had made it to Gibbs’ house that night, rather than flipping her Jeep on the way to his home. Instead, Gibbs meets Diane, and their romance is in full swing in NCIS: Origins Season 2.
When you think of NCIS: Origins, you probably expect intense investigations, quiet heroism, and the stoic figure of Leroy Jethro Gibbs. But in Season 2, Episode 2 (S2E2), there’s something different bubbling under the surface: a softening of that rigid edge, a glimpse of Gibbs’ heart as he begins to navigate a romance with Diane Sterling.
In this article, we’ll dive into how this episode layers emotional beats on top of procedural-drama, how canonical shifts reframe Gibbs’ history, and why the romance thread matters for long-term character evolution.
What’s the Big Shift in S2E2?
**Gibbs Meets Diane—Again**
By Episode 2 of Season 2, we witness Gibbs encountering Diane in a new light. It’s not just business. The way she looks at him, the way he responds—it’s subtle but meaningful. According to showrunner insights, Diane will play “a large role” in Gibbs’ future.
This meeting isn’t just a scene—it’s a pivot. It says: “Gibbs, you might finally let someone in.”
**Romance as a Grounding Force**
Often in crime-dramas, the romantic subplot is the soft cushion between bullets and clues. But here? It’s more than that. Gibbs’ interaction with Diane works like a mirror: he sees parts of himself he’s been ignoring. The producers hint that Diane disarms Gibbs when he’s “very vulnerable.”
So the romance isn’t a distraction—it’s a reveal.
Why This Matters for Gibbs’ Character Arc
**Rewriting the Timeline (With Care)**
Yes—canon tweaks are in play. Diane’s role is being expanded, and that means the timeline of Gibbs’ loves, losses, and commitments shifts slightly. The creators admit they needed to pick “a lane” when different versions of his backstory clash.
As a viewer, you may ask: “Does this shift change the essence of Gibbs?” I’d say: It enriches it. We’re seeing a layered human, not just an unbreakable bark-and-badge.
**Healing Wounds Through Connection**
Gibbs carries trauma—his wife’s death, his daughter’s loss, the guilt, the silence. Diane’s entry isn’t just a romantic beat—it’s a possible balm. When someone helps you feel alive again, it matters.
In S2E2, that moment when Diane talks to Gibbs about his eyes, about moving on—it’s small, but it’s revolutionary for him.
Episode 2 Key Scenes That Highlight the Romance
**The Compliment That Started Something**
Diane says something simple—“You’ve got kind eyes”-type stuff—to Gibbs. He accepts. He doesn’t scowl. He is surprised. Because Gibbs doesn’t get surprised often. That is a turning point.
**Water Symbolism—And Emotional Risk**
Earlier seasons have used pools, water, reflection as metaphors for cleansing and confession. In a past moment of Gibbs and Lala (another character), a pool scene represented truth surfacing. In S2E2, when Gibbs is near water or thinking about it, you feel: this is about letting go of the weight.
Romance here isn’t sunshine—it’s vulnerability in the deep.
**Gibbs’ Internal Dialogue—Under Construction**
Gibbs’ voice-over narrates what it feels like to keep the house, to pack up memories, to let life shift. When Diane enters, his internal monologue alters. He’s no longer just “the man who lost” but “the man who might rebuild.”
How the Romance Affects the NCIS Universe
**Anchoring Gibbs’ Future Relationship With Diane**
Fans of the original NCIS know Diane as Gibbs’ eventual wife (and ex-wife) in the long run. S2E2 of Origins isn’t just fan-service—it’s foundation. The show sets the emotional groundwork for that relationship.
If you love NCIS canon, this is the prequel doing its homework.
**Altered Triangle: Lala, Diane, Gibbs**
Season 1 introduced Lala as Gibbs’ emotional anchor. Now Diane appears. The love triangle dynamic (though not toxic) shifts. Showrunners admit that the interplay between these women in Gibbs’ life will change the story.
In other words: the romance isn’t a side-plot. It weighs on the overall narrative.
Key Themes Explored in This Episode
**Vulnerability Through Masks**
Gibbs wears his badge, his rules, his silence. Enter Diane—and suddenly the mask slips. You see him question, feel, hesitate.
**Timing Is Everything**
Romance needs timing. And when you’ve lost everything, entering into something new isn’t simple. Episode 2 plays with that — you ask: “Is it too soon? Should he be ready?” The show answers: He wasn’t ready. But maybe he has to try anyway.
**The Weight of Canon and Change**
When you expand a story with a legacy character like Gibbs, you walk a tightrope between honoring the past and reinventing. This episode leans into that tension. The romance thread is both familiar and fresh.
Why Episode 2 Will Be Talked About
**For Fans: Easter Eggs + Character Growth**
If you’re a die-hard NCIS fan, you’ll spot the hints. Diane’s introduction, small moments between Gibbs and her—they’re breadcrumbs to the future. That alone sparks conversation.
**For New Viewers: A Different Gibbs Emerges**
Even if you’ve never watched NCIS, this episode gives you someone you care about. A hero with flaws. A budding relationship that asks: when do you let your guard down?
**For Romantic-Drama Fans: A Procedural With Heart**
Procedurals don’t always have emotional resonance—this one does. If you like cases and connection, you’ll find this episode balanced the two well.
Questions the Episode Raises (and Let’s Make Some Guesses)
**Will Gibbs and Diane move into something serious now?*
It’s implied. The show signals Diane will have a “large role” in Gibbs’ life. But we also know Gibbs’ path is shadowed by past loss. So: yes—but with hurdles.
**What happens to Lala?*
Season 1 ended with a major turning point for Cecilia “Lala” Dominguez. Her arc intersects with Gibbs’ future with Diane. The delicate emotional balance between them will likely deepen.
**How will Gibbs’ past trauma impact this romance?*
Massively. His history isn’t sidelined—it drives his reactions. Diane is the chance for healing, not escape.
Why You Should Tune In for Future Episodes
Because S2E2 isn’t just a standalone—it’s a hinge. It connects what came before (Gibbs’ losses, his hard shell) and what’s ahead (his partnership with Diane, his continued evolution).
If you care about character arcs, emotional stakes, and the interplay of case of the week + personal story, this season of Origins has set up something compelling.
How This Romance Differs From Typical TV Love Stories
**It’s Not “Boy Meets Girl”. It’s “Man Rebuilds After Loss”.*
Many shows show two people falling in love fast. Here it’s layered: grief, duty, betrayal, redemption.
**Subtlety Over Drama.*
The show doesn’t resort to a grand reunion or confessions of love in the middle of the case. It uses a compliment, a glance, a hesitation.
**Canon-Aware but Not Bound.*
They know where Gibbs ends up in the broader NCIS timeline. They use that, but they’re not shackled by it. They’re rewriting the path, not erasing the endpoint.
The Romance as Metaphor
Think of Gibbs’ heart like a locked safe—heavy, reinforced, filled with old files of guilt and regret. Diane is the trusted locksmith. She doesn’t smash it open—she gently turns the key, inviting him to open. The cases he solves? They’re the external debris. The real work is internal.
When Gibbs allows someone else inside, that safe isn’t just about what he stores—it’s about what he chooses to release. Episode 2 marks that key-turning moment.
Performance Notes & Writing Highlights
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Actor Austin Stowell (young Gibbs) comments that Diane “disarms” Gibbs in his vulnerable state.
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The writing uses water metaphorically: earlier scenes with Lala in the pool signified emotional cleansing. That echoes here.
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The showrunner dialogue acknowledges canon discrepancies and chooses the lane that best serves the story (see ScreenRant article).
All of this adds richness—this isn’t just a romance subplot. It’s character architecture.
What to Watch For in the Next Few Episodes
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How Diane’s presence influences Gibbs’ decision-making on cases (does he soften? become more open?).
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Whether the show addresses the potential “love triangle” with Lala, Gibbs and Diane explicitly.
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How Gibbs’ internal guilt surfaces when he allows intimate connection—does he self-sabotage?
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Any flashbacks or hints to how his past (Shannon, Kelly) still haunts his relationship with Diane.
Why This Episode Can Trigger Viral Fan Discussions
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It challenges the “Gibbs is invulnerable” trope. Vulnerability is relatable, and fans will respond.
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The canon shift invites speculation: “How will this season rewrite Gibbs’ love life?”
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Emotional beats in crimes shows spark share-able moments: “That look between Gibbs and Diane—did you feel it?”
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Romance + legacy character = rich fandom content. Memes, tweets, deep dives.
Final Thoughts
In Season 2, Episode 2 of NCIS: Origins, the romance between Gibbs and Diane isn’t a side note—it’s a conversation starter. It takes a man known for silence and invites him to speak with his eyes, with his hesitation, with his actions. It asks: what happens when the hero allows himself to hope?
Whether you watch for the cases, for the canon, or for connection, this episode gives you something to chew on.
