NCIS: Origins Season 1 Finale Ending Explained: Is Lala Alive? 

NCIS: Origins season 1 is over, and the finale left fans gobsmacked. This NCIS spinoff was different from the rest, and the team got multiple moments of drama, action, and more. The premise was originally about Gibbs’ life post his family’s murder. 

Season 1 has successfully expanded on the stories of all the characters who surround him, and it all comes to a head in the finale. In this article, we will discuss what happened in the season 1 finale, called “Cecilia.” 

Father-Son Reunite

In the NCIS: Origins finale, Leroy Gibbs' father, Jackson Gibbs, returned, and this led to a heartwarming moment between the two men. The last time we saw Jackson, he and his son got into an argument since he wanted him to move back home. So, the fact that he returned for the finale means that the duo are on good terms. 

Jackson also encourages the younger Gibbs to find closure and organize Shannon and Kelly’s funerals. He also helps his son sell the family home. While this moment is great, we know from NCIS that they won’t be on speaking terms for multiple years after the funeral. 

Lala and Gibbs Share an Intimate Moment

Lala and Gibbs almost share an intimate moment in the neighbor's pool, but when Gibbs reveals that he turned over his rifle, it makes her see that he is like Franks. Both act for themselves without considering how their behaviors can affect others. This causes her to leave the pool. 

Mariel Molino told The Wrap about this scene, “It was the most intimate scene we’ve gotten to shoot thus far, before Gibbs screwed it up. I wanted to have that moment where Lala really surrenders herself to Gibbs and into the fantasy that one day they could be together.”

Diane Sterling Enters the show 

The finale also introduces Diane Sterling, Gibbs’s second wife and his longtime friend. In NCIS, she is a major character and a great friend of Gibbs, even though they don’t always get along. 

Lala Convinces Macy to drop the Investigation

Lara Macy reaches out to Lala to get help regarding the investigation into Gibbs' involvement. Macy is introduced in NCIS: Origins for the first time in the finale, and it's due to a phone call she overhears from Gibbs at the beginning of the season. Gibbs does surrender the rifle which is also the one with which he shot Pedro Hernandez. 

Lala appeals to Macy to drop the investigation because she could be tied to the murder weapon as well, and that arresting Gibbs could ruin her life. This saves Gibbs from prison life. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The NCISverse (@ncisverse)

Is Lala dead?

The finale ends on a cliffhanger- Lala gets into a car crash to avoid hitting a little girl who had come in front of her vehicle. It hasn’t been revealed whether she is alive or dead. Series co-creator David J. North revealed to The Wrap: “We knew going into this show that we wanted to take big swings … and there’s more to the story. As for whether Lala is dead, everybody will need to tune in to Season 2.”

North further said that, “If this is the end of Lala, we remember the last things we said to people, and then we have to live with that,” referring to her argument with Franks where he accuses her of being Lara’s informant. 

Mariel Molino also said that Lala was on her way to tell Gibbs about her feelings for him. She said, “I always knew that Lala had to have a very profound impact on Gibbs in potentially a very profound and sad, heartfelt way. What’s most heartbreaking about that scene is that she never gets to tell Gibbs that she loves him. That’s what she’s on her way to tell him.”

It will be interesting to see how season 2 shapes up. NCIS: Origins is streaming on Paramount+.