“NCIS: Origins” answered the lingering question of Lala’s fate, after we last saw her unconscious following a car accident. It also caught up with the rest of the NIS team after all that happened in the finale, making it a tough road back to each other as they cracked their latest murder case.
The episode, titled “Funky Bunch,” revealed that Lala (Mariel Molino) survived the fateful car crash that ended the Season 1 finale. The accident did seem to cause a serious wedge between her and Gibbs (Austin Stowell), after the story picked up two months after the accident with Lala about to return to work as the team struggled without her and Randy (Caleb Foote), who had been thrown into desk duty.
“We always knew that we were bringing Mariel back. We love her, the team and the season would be incomplete without her,” co-creator Gina Lucita Monreal told TheWrap. “But it was a bit of a puzzle trying to put that opening together to remind people where we left them and show where we are now. We’re really proud of how it turned out.”
Television fans, buckle up. The Season 2 premiere of NCIS: Origins dropped big reveals about Lala’s fate and how Gibbs is reworking his heart. Showrunners Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North sat down for an inside look at the emotional currents steering this prequel—and it’s messy, moving, and full of tension. Let’s dig in.
Lala Survives the Crash — But Her Road to Recovery Isn’t Easy
The Car Accident That Changed Everything
At the close of Season 1, Lala (played by Mariel Molino) is left unconscious after a dramatic car accident. Viewers were left wondering: is she gone? But in the Season 2 premiere titled “Funky Bunch”, the truth comes out—Lala survived.
Monreal confirmed, “We always knew we were bringing Mariel back. We love her, the team and the season would be incomplete without her.”
Grappling With Physical and Emotional Fallout
Survival doesn’t equate to normal. Lala returns two months later, rejoining the NIS team. But she’s not the same. The creators tease that she’s dealing with traumatic brain injury (TBI) symptoms, emotional trauma, and the shadow of what almost was with Gibbs.
North points out that both emotional and physical consequences will weave through her arc this season.
Tension, Guilt & Distance With Gibbs
One of the most compelling dynamics entering Season 2 is the distance between Lala and Gibbs. They once shared a charged moment—the almost-kiss in the pool—but the crash fractures that connection. Gibbs, in fact, begins dating Diane, and Monreal says he’s doing so to stay away from Lala, fearing his presence might endanger her.
There’s unresolved emotional baggage to unpack: Did they both let the moment slip? Was the crash the turning point? Expect a lot of tension and “feelings to unpack.”
Why Gibbs Dated Diane (and What It Means for Him)
Diane as a Safe Harbor (Sort Of)
Diane (Kathleen Kenny), known from the broader NCIS lore, makes her presence felt early in Season 2. According to Monreal, Gibbs leaned into a relationship with Diane out of fear—“worried that any proximity to him would mean she was in danger.”
It’s not about love, at least not yet. It’s about control, safety, and distance.
Real Feelings or Band-Aid Romance?
Though the Diane relationship begins as a cold defense mechanism, Monreal emphasizes it’s more nuanced. She says Diane will be explored deeply; there are “real feelings” behind what seems safe at first glance.
North adds that introducing the romance is delicate—especially when longtime fans know about canonical outcomes. He warns: just because Diane is safe doesn’t mean she’s stable.
The Pressure of Canon vs. New Stories
NCIS fans know Gibbs married Diane in the original timeline. But Origins plays with that expectation. Monreal and North must balance legacy and freshness. Introducing Diane now threads that cannon while allowing room for character complexity.
Expect the tension of fan expectations, plus the emotional guts to push the prequel into new territory.
Key Relationship Arcs to Watch This Season
Lala vs. Diane — Love Triangle?
It seems inevitable: Lala and Diane will be compared. Are they rivals or reflections? Will Gibbs’ heart shift? The creators hint both relationships will be layered and evolving.
Team Rebuilding After Trauma
The dynamics within the NIS team shift. Randy, for instance, ends Season 1 in desk duty. Franks is also dealing with his own grief. Reintegrating Lala adds stress, since Origins opens with fractured relationships.
Upcoming Returns—Young Ducky and Canon Easter Eggs
Fans may rejoice: Young Ducky returns, played by Adam Campbell. His appearance layers in callbacks to original NCIS lore and connective tissue between the prequel and the mothership.
The showrunners also tease “another younger famous NCIS character” reappearing later this season.
A Deep Dive Into the Premiere’s Big Moments
“Funky Bunch” — More Than a Title
Yes, the episode ends with the team singing “Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. It’s unorthodox for a crime procedural, but Monreal says it’s a moment of release—characters being themselves.
That scene becomes a symbolic reset: tension eases, but undercurrents remain.
Flashbacks, Reminders & Where We Left Off
Monreal told TheWrap crafting the premiere was like solving a puzzle—reminding the audience of past threads while stitching in progress.
Expect a mix of flashbacks, time skips, and emotional triggers.
Scenes That Hint Big Futures
In interviews, North and Monreal allude to pivotal revelations—especially in a Ducky episode where fans will “learn something pivotal” about him.
Also, an early crossover with NCIS (set 33 years later) will tease which of Gibbs’ beloved rules he learns.
Thematic Threads Running Through Season 2
Loss, Guilt, and Redemption
From the tragedy of Lala’s crash to Gibbs’ decision-making, this season is grounded in characters bearing emotional scars. The theme of what we lose — and what we risk to protect others is central.
Identity and Legacy in the NCIS Universe
Origins is more than backstory; it’s how characters become who they are in NCIS. Diane’s introduction, Ducky’s legacy, and Gibbs’ early choices all presage future rules, loyalties, and relationships.
The Risk of Being Close
One of the show’s emotional core is how proximity can endanger love. Gibbs’ distance from Lala and his turn toward Diane illustrate that very risk.
FAQs (Embedded in Context)
Was Lala ever supposed to die?
No. Monreal says the team never intended to kill off Lala. Her survival was always in the plan, but the ambiguity was by design to build emotional stakes.
Will Lala fully recover from her injuries?
Not immediately. Her recovery arc includes both physical and emotional struggles. TBI symptoms and trauma will linger and shape her choices.
Is Gibbs’ relationship with Diane permanent?
The creators warn that Diane is a safe choice but not guaranteed to last. Her entry complicates Gibbs’ feelings and future.
How does Origins tie into original NCIS lore?
It’s full of callbacks. Young Ducky’s return, Gibbs’ future rules, and crossovers help bridge the two timelines.
What surprises are teased for Season 2 finale?
The cast speaks of an “unsettling, terrifying” finale. Lala’s fate remains uncertain, and the Gibbs-Lala dynamic could reach a heartbreaking turning point.
Conclusion
The Season 2 premiere of NCIS: Origins refuses to let viewers settle. Lala’s survival, Gibbs’ new romance, and the emotional fallout from both create a rich tapestry of tension. What makes it compelling is how Origins embraces uncertainty—bonding characters through trauma, distance, and longing.
If you loved the first season, strap in: this one promises heartbreak, revelations, and moments you’ll revisit again and again.
