Is Lala Really Gone? The Shocking Truth About NCIS: Origins Season 2
NCIS: Origins fans, brace yourselves! As we eagerly await the Season 2 premiere on Tuesday, October 14th at 9/8c, one burning question dominates every conversation: Is Lala still alive? But here's where it gets controversial—Austin Stowell’s recent interview might have just spilled the beans, and it’s not what you expect.
For those who need a quick recap, the Season 1 finale left us all on the edge of our seats. Lala (played by the talented Mariel Molino) was on a mission to save "probie" Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell) from being arrested for the murder of cartel boss Pedro Hernandez. In a heart-stopping moment, a young girl darted into the road, forcing Lala to swerve sharply. Her Jeep flipped multiple times, leaving her hanging upside down, critically injured and bleeding heavily. It was a cliffhanger that had us all gasping for more.
Since then, Molino has been spotted on set during Season 2 production, but CBS has remained tight-lipped about Lala’s fate. Will she return in flashbacks, or will she miraculously survive? Naturally, we turned to Stowell himself for answers during a recent interview with TVLine, alongside NCIS star Wilmer Valderrama. And this is the part most people miss—Stowell’s response was anything but straightforward.
When asked about Lala’s return, Stowell revealed, "Lala will be back in some capacity. She went through a terrible accident, and anyone who survives something like that will face adjustments and baby steps when returning to work." Wait—did he just confirm her survival? Or was that a cleverly crafted hypothetical? When pressed further, Stowell and Valderrama backpedaled, insisting it was all speculative. Valderrama even added, "Technically, until an episode airs, we haven’t really confirmed whether she made it or not."
But let’s pause for a moment. Stowell’s initial statement about "adjustments" and "baby steps" sounds suspiciously specific for a hypothetical scenario. Could this be a subtle confirmation of Lala’s survival, or are they masterfully keeping us guessing? And here’s the real question: Is CBS playing with our emotions, or did Stowell accidentally let the cat out of the bag?
Watch the full interview above to see the awkward exchange and decide for yourself. Stowell also teases how Gibbs will grapple with Lala’s accident and how his relationship with Diane will evolve in Season 2. But the bigger debate remains—will Lala survive, or is her story truly over?
What do you think? Is Lala alive, or are we reading too much into Stowell’s words? Sound off in the comments below and let’s spark a discussion. After all, in the world of NCIS: Origins, nothing is ever as it seems.
