Mariel Molino recently opened up about returning as Cecilia “Lala” Dominguez in NCIS: Origins Season 2. She discussed filming the emotional premiere, reuniting with co-star Austin Stowell, and how Lala’s near-death storyline shapes her character’s journey moving forward.
Is Lala dead or alive in NCIS: Origins Season 2 premiere?
The Season 2 premiere confirms that Mariel Molino’s character, Cecilia “Lala” Dominguez, survived the car crash that ended the first season. She suffered multiple serious injuries, including a crushed thigh, a collapsed lung, and a traumatic brain injury. After months of recovery, she returned to her role at NIS.
The episode begins after her rehabilitation. Lala is back on duty, assisting Gibbs and the team in a new Marine investigation. Despite her recovery, tension builds between Lala and Gibbs because of his protective behavior and her unresolved feelings toward him. Gibbs has flashbacks to their near romantic moment in Season 1, showing that their emotional connection still affects the storyline.
NCIS: Origins showrunners wanted to bring Lala back in Season 2 ‘pretty early on’
According to showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal, Lala’s return was planned from the start. Monreal told Deadline, “Pretty early on. We knew what we were going to do with the season finale, and we knew for sure she was coming back.” North added that nearly “95% of the viewers really thought she’s dead,” which confirmed how convincing the Season 1 cliffhanger was.
North explained that keeping Lala alive deepens Gibbs’ emotional arc in Season 2. “He’s afraid of losing her. He lost the love of his life in Shannon. Now he has these unique and strong feelings for Lala,” Monreal said. The show also explores Gibbs’ attempt to move on through his relationship with Diane, while Lala’s survival and return “only serves to torture Gibbs” further.
Lala’s reappearance also restores the full NIS dynamic, as she joins Gibbs, Randy, and the rest of the team in the closing “Good Vibrations” car sequence, signaling her official comeback to the series.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on ComingSoon.
