NCIS: Origins’ Season 2 Fall Finale Delivers Major Surprises
The recent fall finale of “NCIS: Origins” left viewers on the edge of their seats with a shocking cliffhanger and an unexpected romantic twist. In the December 9th episode, the series delivered a dramatic conclusion featuring both a deadly explosion and a surprise wedding involving a main character. As the episode drew to a close, viewers witnessed someone from Franks’ (Kyle Schmid) past entering a movie theater, only to exit moments before a bomb detonated, leaving audiences wondering about the implications of this violent act and who might have been harmed in the blast. This explosive ending sets up significant tension for when the show returns from its winter break in February.
Against this backdrop of danger, the episode also navigated the complicated romantic life of Gibbs (Austin Stowell), whose relationship journey has been a central focus of the prequel series. Facing a crossroads with Diane (Kathleen Kenny) after she received a job offer in Los Angeles, Gibbs initially struggled with the prospect of a long-distance relationship. However, in a surprising turn of events, the episode concluded with Gibbs and Diane impulsively eloping in Las Vegas after a night of drinking. This development has undoubtedly disappointed many fans who had been rooting for a romance between Gibbs and his coworker Lala (Mariel Molino), whose chemistry has been palpable throughout the season. Yet for viewers familiar with the original “NCIS” series, this turn of events aligns with the established canon, as Mark Harmon’s Gibbs had four wives throughout his life – Shannon, Diane, Rebecca, and Stephanie – with Diane being his second wife after the tragic loss of his first wife, Shannon.
Series creator Gina Lucita Monreal has addressed the challenge of balancing fan expectations with the established NCIS universe, explaining that weaving these canonical elements into the prequel’s narrative ultimately strengthens the storytelling. “We always approach these things — as they seem like huge challenges — how we’re going to write that into the tapestry of our story,” Monreal told Us Weekly earlier this year. “But it always ends up being a plus somehow in the end figuring out how to weave these stories together.” This commitment to honoring the original series while creating compelling new storylines has become a hallmark of “NCIS: Origins,” allowing the writers to explore the emotional complexity of young Gibbs as he navigates loss, new relationships, and his emerging career in law enforcement.
Despite Gibbs’ marriage to Diane, actress Mariel Molino has hinted that the connection between Gibbs and Lala will continue to be a significant element of the show moving forward. In an October interview, she suggested that their relationship will evolve in more subtle ways, exploring “the subtleties of wanting someone and how that affects you in every aspect of your life, through work, in your career, in your personal life.” Molino emphasized that the writers are crafting “the best possible scenario” for their relationship within the constraints of the established timeline. The complexity lies in Gibbs’ emotional state, as he’s “trying to protect his heart from the thought of losing her again,” still processing the devastating loss of his first wife and daughter that served as the catalyst for his career with NCIS.
When discussing the challenges facing Gibbs and Lala’s potential romance, Austin Stowell highlighted the emotional barriers his character faces. “At this point, we’re still just months after Gibbs lost his wife and child. Even if those emotions are creeping in, he probably is quieting them and feeling as if he shouldn’t have those feelings,” Stowell explained during the show’s premiere in November 2024. “If his wife and daughter were still alive, he would be with them. It is only because of their death — their murder — that he blames himself for that he’s even in the position and interacting with the people he’s with.” This psychological dimension adds layers to the character development, showing how Gibbs’ guilt and grief influence his romantic decisions, including his impulsive marriage to Diane, which may represent an attempt to move forward while avoiding deeper emotional connections.
The fall finale exemplifies how “NCIS: Origins” balances character-driven storytelling with high-stakes drama that has become a signature of the NCIS franchise. The dual cliffhangers – both the mysterious explosion that could have far-reaching consequences and Gibbs’ surprise marriage that will inevitably complicate his professional and personal relationships – have set the stage for an exciting return when the series comes back on Tuesday, February 24, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET on CBS. As viewers process these developments, questions remain about how the bombing investigation will unfold, what this means for Franks and his team, and how Gibbs will navigate his new marriage while working alongside Lala. These unresolved tensions ensure that fans will be eagerly awaiting the show’s mid-season premiere to see how these dramatic storylines continue to develop in the “NCIS: Origins” universe.
