Mark Harmon’s Gibbs might just reunite with a past love in the new show “NCIS: Origins.” Co-showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal have us all guessing if Gibbs and Lala will cross paths again.
What happened
In 2024, the “NCIS” franchise decided that more spins than a disco ball was the way to go, so they launched “NCIS: Origins.” This prequel, firmly seated in the neon glow of the early ’90s, digs into Gibbs’ formative days at what was then called NIS, under the watchful eye of Mike Franks. While a young Gibbs, portrayed by Austin Stowell, acquaints himself with old and new faces, Mariel Molino’s Lala emerges as a love interest.
Lala isn’t just a workplace fling but a profound part of Gibbs’ past, creating juicy canon speed bumps. With many wondering if Lala will re-enter Gibbs’ life now, North and Monreal played coy in their TVLine interview, dropping hints like cryptic fortune cookies.
Gibbs and his canine buddy
North chuckles through introspection, revealing: “Mark and I have a long history of collaborating on screen with dogs.” Apparently, Gibbs has a thing for solitude, though it doesn’t seem to stick. Monreal adds, “Gibbs is a character that tries a lot to be alone.” But like anyone cast as the lonely hero, he always gets pulled back in. So it makes sense he’d have a mutt to keep him company, more reliable than any human partner.
The song playing at the NCIS season 23 and NCIS season 2 crossover isn’t serenading Lala but rather Gibbs’ pensive view on time. Though Monreal admits, “The idea of Lala is always an undercurrent in the show.”
Gibbs’ relationship woes
Some fans theorize Gibbs chose Alaska over Navy Yard because of Lala. However, “NCIS: Origins” season 2, episode 5 shows him living solo, except for that trusty dog. Yet, the plotline of Gibbs still swooning over his first wife, Shannon, complicates his new romance arc with Lala. After all, it’s a bit tough to reconcile years of character development with newfound love angles without ruffling some feathers.
“NCIS” airs Tuesdays, inviting us all to sit back and enjoy the drama. As the love story unfolds, audiences will stay hooked, looking for that perfect blend of the past and present. Keep your eyes peeled!
