Is NCIS: Origins’ Lala The Reason Gibbs Writes Rule 12? Austin Stowell Shares His Honest Take, And I’m Almost Convinced

Is NCIS: Origins' Lala The Reason Gibbs Writes Rule 12? Austin Stowell Shares His Honest Take, And I'm Almost Convinced

As an ardent fan who has followed the gripping saga of NCIS for what feels like an eternity, I must say that the latest addition to the franchise, NCIS: Origins, has truly captivated me with its intriguing twist on the Gibbs-Dominguez dynamic. The hints of a unique connection between these two characters have left me eagerly anticipating each new episode.


Prior to the debut of NCIS: Origins in the 2024 television lineup, lead actor Austin Stowell had clarified that there would be no romantic tension between Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Mariel Molino’s character, Lala Dominguez. However, as we progress through the first six episodes of this CBS prequel series, an intriguing bond appears to be developing between them. Intriguingly, the older Gibbs (portrayed by Mark Harmon) hinted in the finale of the first episode that he is reminiscing about this period in his life as he tells a story “about her,” referring to Lala. This raises the question: could she potentially be the reason Gibbs established Rule 12, “Never date a coworker”? Austin Stowell has shared his thoughts on this theory, and it’s starting to seem plausible.

In late 1991, following the tragic murder of his wife Shannon and daughter Kelly by Pedro Hernandez, Gibbs, left devastated, voluntarily stepped into enemy fire. However, his life takes a new direction when Mike Franks recruits him into NIS (the government agency’s earlier name). Lala is one of his teammates, and there seems to be a growing connection between them. Yet, as Austin Stowell shared with Us Weekly, the timing for this potential romance couldn’t be worse, as he described it:

As a gamer, I’ve found that teamwork often leads to an unexpected bond. It’s because we get each other, much like Lala mirrors Gibbs and vice versa. Yet, both of us can be as headstrong as a stone wall. We’re still navigating the aftermath of Gibbs losing his family, and though those feelings might be surfacing, he’s likely suppressing them, feeling it’s inappropriate to have such emotions at this time.

Last week’s episode, titled “Incognito,” clearly demonstrated Gibbs taking on his first undercover assignment, with Lala accompanying him as they portrayed a couple. According to Austin Stowell, this is the point where their relationship solidifies, and it might lead to something deeper. However, since Lala Dominguez was never referenced in NCIS, and the older Gibbs mentioned he’s not fond of discussing her, it seems that whatever lies ahead for these two may not have a happy outcome.

Long-time viewers are familiar with the guidelines, or rules, that Leroy Jethro Gibbs follows to guide his life and those around him. Although some of these rules were written down during the events of “Origins,” others remain unwritten, leaving it uncertain whether Rule 12 is among them. Austin Stowell hinted that Gibbs and Lala are fully aware they’re colleagues, stating: “Gibbs and Lala are well-aware of their professional relationship.

It’s possible that the rule hasn’t been written yet or it may still be in Gibbs’ notes, as I’m not certain. Given that he was with his wife Shannon, it seems unlikely that this rule would have been necessary for him to write. Therefore, some adjustments to the rules might be forthcoming.

Austin Stowell stated that he’s unsure if NCIS: Origins will reveal the backstory of Rule 12, but he hinted at the possibility. He suggested that Gibbs’ attraction to Lala is based on her personality as well as her physical appearance, stating that there’s something about her that excites him. Given this information, it wouldn’t surprise me if we see the origin story of Rule 12 unfold, though it remains unclear whether this will be covered in the expanded Season 1 or future seasons. However, since Gibbs has been reluctant to discuss Lala, I speculate that the creation of Rule 12 may stem from particularly distressing or even tragic incidents.

We’ll watch and find out how things unfold as NCIS: Origins broadcasts fresh episodes every Monday at 10 pm ET on CBS. You can also catch up with all the other NCIS series by subscribing to Paramount+, where you can stream this show.

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2024-11-19 17:38