The prequel series NCIS: Origins might appear based largely around Jethro Gibbs’ early days in the agency, but it’s a supporting character who might truly suffer as a result of the season 1 finale’s horrific twist. There are a lot of shoes waiting to drop in NCIS: Origins season 2, some of which are decidedly happier than others. For instance, Gibbs has now finally met his future wife, Diane. But the NCIS: Origins season 1 finale also ended in what appears to be a severe tragedy.
Many fans were sent reeling when the episode’s final shots left it somewhat vague as to whether Lala dies in the NCIS: Origins season 1 finale. Although the tight shot on Lala’s unmoving and severely bloodied face makes it easy to expect the worst, Lala’s a popular enough character that it would vastly change the tone of the show if she were truly killed off. No matter what, however, Gibbs’ narration makes it clear that her accident will affect him rather deeply. Even so, Lala’s death or injury could hit one of Jethro and Mike’s colleagues even harder.
Lala’s NCIS: Origins Season 1 Finale’s Accident Will Have A Bigger Impact On Randy Than On Gibbs
We Already Know That Jethro’s Ostensibly Moved On By The Main Series
Although he questioned continuing with field work in the season 1 finale, it’s been confirmed that Caleb Foote’s Randy will return in NCIS: Origins season 2. His request to be put on track to become Special Agent in Charge already went over rather poorly, but it’s Randolf’s reason for wanting a desk job in the first place that will make Lala’s fate even harder on him. Randy was starting to feel unsafe in the field, and Lala’s accident will remind him that his son is already at risk of losing a father without Randy getting shot at every day.
Gibbs will naturally also struggle with Lala’s fate, especially when he learns that she was on the way to tell him that she’d gotten him out of a murder charge. But while Gibbs can work out his survivor’s guilt with his veteran support group to an extent, Randy tends to internalize his issues a lot more and possesses less inner strength in general. Additionally, Randy has known Lala longer and now has to deal with a good friend being hurt because she got wrapped up in a newer friend’s criminal activity. That’s more than enough to trigger an emotional breakdown.
How Lala’s Possible Death May Impact Randy’s Future In NCIS: Origins
It Won’t Be As Easy To Get The Desk Job He Wants Without A Replacement
Randy’s emotional situation won’t be helped much by the fact that his chances of leaving the field just took an even greater hit. When Tish left Mike Franks on NCIS: Origins, he was at least able to resolve the case that caused their breakup. But Randy’s distress just came from wanting his son to grow up with a father, and he’s now more or less tied to the field regardless of whether Lala dies on NCIS: Origins or not. Even if she survives, she’ll still be out of commission for a while. Gibbs and Franks can’t man the field alone.
For there to be any chance of Randy getting a desk job, two new replacements would need to be hired since even Lala surviving the crash would likely still leave her out of commission for a while. And as Director Barrett pointed out to him in the season 1 finale, Randy’s doubts in the field have the potential to endanger his fellow agents as well as himself. Like all NCIS spinoff series, Origins puts a strong emphasis on teamwork and family. Letting his team down is only going to make Randy feel worse than he already has been.
Is Lala Really Dead In NCIS: Origins?
Only One Answer Makes Complete Sense For The Story
Randy’s story sets him up for a possible emotional breakdown whether Lala dies or not, but the frustrating part of the equation is the mystery as to whether she did. Even Gibbs actor Austin Stowell doesn’t know if Lala is dead, although it’s precisely Gibbs’ narration in the NCIS: Origins season 1 finale that makes her death seem likely. If she survived, then this one crash hardly seems like enough that Gibbs would shy away from telling her story for the rest of his life. Only her worst fate makes complete story sense.
Fortunately, plenty of series have changed their plans to accommodate fans’ wishes, and a number of fans want to see her survive solely so that Lala and Gibbs’ romance can continue. Because it’s known from the flagship that he marries the recently introduced Diane, NCIS: Origins can’t reasonably keep dancing around Gibbs’ relationship with Lala forever. And it would be anticlimactic to keep her alive just to write her out of Gibbs’ life in some other way later. But until season 2 confirms Lala’s fate one way or another, there’s nothing to prevent fans from remaining hopeful.