“There’s Sparks Between Them”: Gibbs & Lala’s Relationship Future In NCIS: Origins Explained By Showrunner

NCIS: Origins is set to explore Gibbs and Lala’s relationship, according to co-creator and co-showrunner Gina Lucita Monreal. The NCIS prequel series follows a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs as he begins his journey with the Naval Investigative Service, and has already introduced key figures from his past, including Special Agent Lala Dominguez. While Gibbs is known in NCIS lore for his complicated love life, Monreal has confirmed that Origins will take a closer look at his dynamic with Lala, teasing that their connection will be both impactful and complicated.

In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Monreal discussed Gibbs and Lala’s evolving connection, teasing romantic tension while still emphasizing the challenges of their relationship. Monreal also opened up about the challenges of fleshing out the story while staying faithful to Gibbs’ NCIS canon lore, saying, “We also know Gibbs’ history with marriage and dating in canon. So we also need to remain true to that.” Read her full comments below:

Yes. We’re definitely going to see that relationship evolving and growing and you can see that these two people care about each other. You can see there’s sparks between them, but they both have their guards up for a very good reason.

And we also know Gibbs’ history with marriage and dating in canon. So we also need to remain true to that. So again, that was an interesting challenge for us and continues to be. But the relationship between Gibbs and Lala is a unique and impactful one, and it’s one that we definitely want to highlight and see through to the end.

What This Means For Gibbs & Lala In NCIS: Origins

A Relationship Marked By Challenges

Monreal’s comments suggest that NCIS: Origins will carefully balance Gibbs and Lala’s relationship while remaining true to the character’s well-established past. Throughout NCIS, Gibbs has been portrayed as tormented by his past relationships, including many failed marriages. One of Origins‘ main challenges is ensuring that any romantic developments align with Gibbs’ established arc. This means that any romantic storyline in Origins must be handled with caution, since Gibbs’ future suggests that any romantic connection he has in the prequel won’t end well. If Origins goes too deeply into a romance, it risks contradicting the hardened Gibbs audiences met in NCIS.

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The showrunners’ emphasis on the importance of their relationship suggests that Lala could be a defining figure in Gibbs’ early life, potentially shaping his views on love, loyalty and trust. Even if their relationship doesn’t last, Lala could be a key reason Gibbs becomes the man fans know and love in NCIS. Lala also represents a fresh dynamic in Gibbs’ life, challenging his personal and professional boundaries. Given their mutual respect and chemistry, Origins could lean into a slow-burn relationship filled with tension. The relationship could also continue to evolve in NCIS: Origins season 2, or at least set the stage for storylines to be explored in the second season.

Our Take On Gibbs & Lala’s Future In NCIS: Origins

A Love Story That Will Likely End In Heartbreak

Austin Stowell as Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Mariel Molino as Cecilia “Lala” Dominguez in NCIS: Origins

Although Origins teases a relationship between Gibbs and Lala, the reality is that their story is unlikely to end on a happy note. With Gibbs’ well-documented romantic struggles in the original NCIS, any romantic connection he makes in Origins is bound to end in heartbreak or tragedy. Nevertheless, Lala’s presence in the series sheds light on Gibbs’ emotional development, and it might explain why he struggles to maintain relationships later in life.

If handled correctly, NCIS: Origins could use their relationship to give Gibbs more depth and reveal a more vulnerable side of the future NCIS leader while remaining true to the history fans are already familiar with. Regardless of how long or short their relationship is, their chemistry will for sure be one of the most fascinating aspects of NCIS: Origins.