NCIS: Origins hit the ground running. It promised a deep dive into the early days of Leroy Jethro Gibbs and the people who shaped his life before he became the stoic team leader fans know and love. But while the show started strong, a recent twist involving the character Randy has exposed cracks in the story’s foundation—especially when it comes to Lala’s development.
So what went wrong? And how did one reveal shift the entire perception of Lala’s storyline?
Let’s dig in.
The Heart of NCIS: Origins: What the Series Promised
When NCIS: Origins was announced, fans were thrilled to learn more about Gibbs’ formative years. The show marketed itself as a gritty origin story—an emotional, character-driven prequel that would peel back the layers of its legendary lead.
From the beginning, Lala was positioned as a major influence—an emotional anchor in young Gibbs’ life. But as episodes progressed, the show began pulling narrative threads that, when examined closely, didn’t quite hold up.
Who Is Randy in NCIS: Origins?
Randy, a seemingly secondary character at first, suddenly became central to a game-changing reveal. Initially depicted as an old friend, the twist showed that Randy had far more involvement in Lala’s life than previously known. But here’s the kicker—this reveal wasn’t just surprising, it was incongruent.
Fans weren’t upset that Randy had a secret. They were frustrated because it rewrote everything we thought we knew about Lala—and not in a good way.
Lala’s Story: A Strong Start With a Shaky Middle
Lala’s character began with nuance. She was layered, complex, and clearly significant to Gibbs. Her backstory hinted at trauma, loyalty, and a past filled with secrets. That’s exactly what made her compelling.
But then came the Randy twist, and suddenly her motivations, choices, and entire arc felt disjointed. It’s not that twists are inherently bad—they’re essential for drama. But a twist that contradicts a character’s established traits? That’s where the problem lies.
How Randy’s Reveal Reshaped the Narrative
The reveal that Randy had been covering for Lala—or worse, manipulating her actions—completely shifted the audience’s understanding of her. It reframed her not as a character with agency, but as someone whose decisions were guided or overshadowed by someone else.
In essence, it stripped her of narrative power.
And in a show that’s supposed to be about how characters became who they are, that’s a pretty big storytelling sin.
Unpacking the Problem With Lala’s Arc
Let’s get real: Lala’s arc started with promise and ended with confusion. After Randy’s reveal, fans were left asking:
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Was Lala ever really in control of her decisions?
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Did she have a strong moral compass, or was it all an illusion?
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Was she truly loyal to Gibbs—or just following orders?
When character motivations shift this drastically without buildup, it doesn’t just feel like a twist—it feels like betrayal.
Missed Opportunities in Lala’s Development
Instead of empowering Lala, the show used her as a vessel for Randy’s twist. That’s a missed opportunity in a big way.
She could’ve been a mentor figure. A moral compass. Even a wildcard. But instead, her complexity was flattened, and her independence called into question.
The show told us Lala was pivotal. But after this reveal, it showed us she was just a pawn.
How Character Consistency Impacts Viewer Trust
Consistency in storytelling doesn’t mean characters can’t evolve. It means that their evolution must make sense. When a character’s decisions no longer align with what we know of them, audiences disconnect.
And once you lose that trust? It’s hard to get it back.
Randy’s reveal didn’t just confuse people—it made them question the show’s integrity.
Is Randy to Blame or Just the Messenger?
Randy himself isn’t the issue. In fact, as a character, he’s interesting. It’s not his fault the writers used him as a plot device to upend Lala’s development.
He could’ve added to her story. Instead, he erased it.
When a secondary character becomes a wrecking ball instead of a builder, it signals a narrative misstep—not a creative masterstroke.
Writing for Shock vs. Writing for Story
This is where things get tricky. Audiences love surprises, sure—but they also crave logic. A twist that shocks but doesn’t serve the story feels hollow.
In this case, the writers clearly aimed for the “OMG” moment. But instead of enhancing the plot, it undermined everything they’d built around Lala.
It’s like building a beautiful house, only to blow it up in the final act.
Lala’s Role in the Bigger NCIS Universe
Let’s zoom out for a second.
If NCIS: Origins is supposed to deepen our understanding of the core NCIS world, then Lala’s arc is a big piece of that puzzle. She was designed to be foundational in shaping young Gibbs.
So how does it help the franchise if her story ends up feeling inconsistent and weak?
Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.
How This Affects Fan Engagement and Fandom Loyalty
Fans are loyal—but only up to a point. When they feel like their time and emotional investment have been wasted, they disengage.
The chatter on social media after the Randy episode was loud—and not in a good way. Longtime viewers expressed frustration, confusion, even betrayal.
And for a legacy franchise like NCIS, that’s dangerous territory.
Can the Writers Fix Lala’s Story Moving Forward?
Short answer: Yes—but they have to act fast.
They need to reframe Lala not as a victim of Randy’s manipulation but as a woman who chose her path, even if that choice involved deception. That nuance matters.
Give her back her agency. Make her complex again. Don’t let her legacy be reduced to a footnote in Randy’s story.
What NCIS: Origins Needs to Learn From This Misstep
This moment should be a wake-up call for the writers.
Characters don’t exist just to serve plot twists. They’re the heart of the story. If you undercut them to manufacture drama, you risk losing what makes your show meaningful.
Lala deserved better. And honestly, so did the fans.
Conclusion
The Randy reveal in NCIS: Origins might’ve been crafted to create a shockwave—but in the process, it blew a hole in Lala’s carefully built character arc. Twists are great, but not when they derail storytelling integrity.
If Origins wants to maintain its audience and honor the legacy of the NCIS franchise, it must course-correct. Let Lala be more than a narrative casualty. Let her be the complex, compelling force she was meant to be.
FAQs
1. Why was Randy’s reveal in NCIS: Origins controversial?
Because it contradicted Lala’s established motivations and reshaped her arc in a way that felt inconsistent and unearned.
2. Does the twist ruin Lala’s character entirely?
Not entirely—but it does weaken her agency and narrative importance unless the writers address it in future episodes.
3. Will the show clarify Lala’s motivations in upcoming episodes?
It’s possible. The writers may use fan feedback to add more depth and course-correct her story.
4. Is NCIS: Origins still worth watching after this twist?
Yes, but with cautious optimism. The show still has strong characters and potential—if it avoids future missteps.
5. How can NCIS: Origins improve its storytelling moving forward?
Focus on character-driven plots over shock value, maintain consistency, and respect audience investment in key players like Lala.
