‘NCIS: Origins’ Just Axed a Major Gibbs Storyline — And Franchise Lore Is to Blame

NCIS: Origins has set the stage for a compelling romance between Gibbs (Austin Stowell) and Lala (Mariel Molino), but the spinoff is foregoing it because of existing lore about the franchise’s central character. While NCIS: Origins is early in its run, the Gibbs-focused Navy prequel builds on some of the franchise’s most formative stories, delving into the backstory of its paramount character, Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Gibbs was the emotional core of the franchise until Mark Harmon exited NCIS in Season 19, and NCIS: Origins has revived his story’s development.

While its ratings dipped throughout its freshman run, the prequel has returned to prime-time TV with NCIS: Origins, dominating the streaming charts. There’s new momentum behind the show after the cliffhanger in NCIS: Origins Season 1, which left audiences wondering whether Lala Dominguez was still alive. NCIS: Origins Season 2’s premiere confirmed that Lala would live to see another season. However, Lala’s return has brought disappointing developments to her and Leroy’s romance, following a pre-determined trajectory that NCIS aficionados are well familiar with.

NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 2 Shows More of Gibbs’ Romance With Diane

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Despite NCIS: Origins poising a love story to take place this season between Gibbs and Lala, who grew closer while navigating the emotional and legal fallout of Pedro Hernandez’s (George Paez) murder, Gibbs is dating Diane (Kathleen Kenny) when Lala returns in NCIS: Origins Season 2. According to the original series, which has over two decades of story development, Diane, played by Melinda McGraw on the flagship, becomes Gibbs’ second wife. After her appearance in the finale and premiere, younger Diane is back again in “Who by Fire.”

Fans of Harmon’s original show have known about Gibbs’ second wife for years, and NCIS: Origins revealed the younger version of Diane Sterling in Season 1. Aligning with the lore of the original series, younger Diane, the real estate agent tasked with selling the home Gibbs lived in with Kelly and Shannon, debuted in the finale. While the flagship never clarified the exact details of when the romance took off, audiences learn that Gibbs and Diane are already in a reasonably serious romance in NCIS: Origins Season 2’s premiere.

Gibbs and Diane’s romance is far from ideal for anyone who wants to see the future Special Agent-in-Charge explore the connection he has with Dominguez. Lala and Gibbs were inches away from kissing in the pool in NCIS: Origins Season 1’s finale before Leroy revealed that he turned himself in, cutting the moment short and prompting Lala to save him. Perhaps things had been different if Lala had made it to Gibbs’ house that night, rather than flipping her Jeep on the way to his home. Instead, Gibbs meets Diane, and their romance is in full swing in NCIS: Origins Season 2.

Episode 2 Makes It Easier to Support Diane as Gibbs’ Second Wife

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Diane returns in NCIS: Origins Season 2, Episode 2, with the installment revealing that Gibbs and Diane have grown comfortable in their connection. Diane is a key player in “Who by Fire,” encouraging Gibbs to take charge of his career and be more assertive about getting his feet wet in interrogation. The episode explains not only that Leroy and Diane are pretty serious, but also that Sterling is responsible for supporting Gibbs at a formative time in his career at NIS and in his personal development after Shannon and Kelly’s death.

The second episode of NCIS: Origins Season 2, showing how caring and supportive Diane is, makes it easier to cheer for her romance with Gibbs. In turn, the episode also complicates viewers’ desire to see Gibbs act on his romance with Lala, since Diane is having a positive impact on Leroy. “Who by Fire” proves that Diane is the partner that Gibbs needs, supporting him emotionally and pushing him forward. Gibbs and Diane’s connection dims the prospects for a romance with Lala, which is now complicated by the new insight into his second wife.

What Gibbs & Diane’s Romance Means For NCIS: Origins Season 2

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Unfortunately, Gibbs and Diane’s romance taking shape in NCIS: Origins seemingly means the prequel is ending Leroy and Lala’s connection almost as quickly as it began. While there are certainly still feelings between the agents, with Randy (Caleb Foote) and Mary Jo (Tyla Abercrumbie) weighing in that Gibbs is just dating Diane because he can’t stand the thought of losing another partner, Episode 2 proves that Diane is genuinely a good fit. Regardless, according to what NCIS has laid out, that leaves little room for a romance with Lala.

Audiences can expect more awkward moments between Gibbs and Lala as their tension builds. A lapse in Gibbs and Diane’s relationship could give the agents a window to act on their feelings. Still, that might not be what viewers are rooting for after seeing Gibbs and Diane’s romance in action. While NCIS: Origins has shown that both Lala and Diane influenced Gibbs, Diane takes a more nurturing approach. Still, there could be another surprise about the timeline in store, cleverly blending with classic NCIS episodes to incorporate the romantic story teased by NCIS: Origins.

Gibbs indeed marries Diane, but the couple eventually divorces after moving to DC. Unless NCIS: Origins plans to follow Leroy to Washington and watch him become a more senior agent, Lala and other fan-favorite NCIS: Origins characters will be dispersed by the time that Gibbs is on the market again. Furthermore, audiences already know that Gibbs has a third wife, who isn’t Lala. Again, though, maybe a way for NCIS: Origins to act on Gibbs and Lala’s romance that feels justified is all part of the plan, but it doesn’t look like it’s in reach heading into Episode 3.