NCIS: ORIGINS Season 2 Promises Resolution to This Huge Cliffhanger

Published: October 16, 2025

By Kayla DeKraker

NCIS: ORIGINS Season 1 left fans on a major cliffhanger — did Lala Dominguez survive a tragic car accident? The Season 2 premiere on Tuesday finally answered that question.

Warning: spoilers ahead!

“Lala will be back in some capacity,” star Austin Stowell revealed in an interview with TV Insider ahead of the premiere. “She went through a terrible accident and anybody who would go through something like that, there are going to be adjustments and baby steps coming back into the workplace.”

He added, “It would be a tragedy if we lost [actress] Mariel [Molino], the human being and the actress. It would be a disservice to the show, and I don’t think that Lala’s and Gibbs’ story is done either. We need to see that through, not just leave it with an accident.”

NCIS star Wilmer Valderrama said of Molino, “I think she’s a phenomenal actress, and it may be a loss to network TV, but I will tell you, the nature of our shows is anything can happen.”

Though Lala is back, Stowell said the fallout of the accident will deeply impact Gibbs.

“Gibbs is somebody who’s gone through a lot of loss, and it seems to follow him around,” the actor said. “And fans of the show know that it’s not like it stops anytime soon. No, this is someone who obviously means a lot to him…So having her go through something so close to death or possibly losing her is obviously going to affect Gibbs. It’s going to affect everybody on that show that she’s such a strong member of that team at the end of the day, that this is not a story about Gibbs, it’s a story about the team.”

So what exactly does the Season 2 premiere reveal about Lala?

“The Season 2 return features Dominguez back in the pool she used to trespass-swim in late at night, where she nearly kissed Gibbs in the finale,” USA Today reported. “This time, we learn that Dominguez has permission from the owners, and it’s during the day. The heavily scarred accident survivor is taking physical therapy for her leg wounds months after surviving the Season 1 finale crash.”

Movieguide® reviewed the last season of NCIS: ORIGINS. It reads, “NCIS: ORIGINS has a high production value, with dramatic plot lines and excellent performances from the main cast; fans of the NCIS universe will love seeing more of Gibbs’ backstory.”

However, the review notes, “The episode has a light moral worldview, with a focus on telling the truth and justice, but it also features problematic elements like lying, strong language, violence, and drinking and smoking. Movieguide® advises extreme caution.”

On Instagram, the NCIS account celebrated the return of NCIS, NCIS: ORIGINS and NCIS: SYDNEY, all of which premiered new seasons on Tuesday.

“Nothing like having the season premiers on my birthday!! Will catch up on the shows tomorrow,” one person wrote in the comment section. Another person added, “Can’t wait to watch it!”