As an avid fan of NCIS, I must say that the premiere of NCIS: Origins was nothing short of exhilarating! The two-part episode “Enter Sandman” took us back to 1991, shedding light on Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ life just months after his family tragedy. It was fascinating to see the origins of some of Gibbs’ trademark characteristics, such as his love for bourbon and trusting his gut, thanks to Lala Dominguez and Mike Franks respectively.
Warning: SPOILERS for the NCIS: Origins two-part premiere “Enter Sandman” are ahead!
The long-awaited series, NCIS: Origins, has officially made its debut in the 2024 TV lineup. This marks the moment we delve into the past life of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, occurring only a few months after his first wife and daughter were tragically murdered. Besides Austin Stowell portraying Gibbs and Kyle Schmid as Mike Franks, the CBS prequel primarily features newcomers, such as Mariel Molino playing Lala Dominguez, one of the NIS agents collaborating closely with the pair. The premiere episodes of Origins, titled “Enter Sandman,” depict Gibbs, Franks, Dominguez, and Caleb Martin Foote’s Bernard “Randy” Randolph investigating a woman’s death. Her body was found completely incinerated, with skeletal totems adorning the burnt remnants of her home.
As I delved deeper into the case of a woman brutally murdered by her drug-addled ex, I found myself uncovering secrets and building bonds with my new team. This guy had taken his jealousy to a chilling extreme, sniping her from afar before torching their shared home to conceal his heinous act.
The Origins Of Gibbs’ Love For Bourbon And His Gut Were Shown
If you’ve followed NCIS during Mark Harmon’s tenure, from its debut until he left in Season 19, you’d recognize that he often displayed a fondness for bourbon and relied heavily on his instincts, or “gut feelings.” The episode “Enter Sandman” delved into how these traits developed. Lala Dominguez and Mike Franks played significant roles in this: Dominguez introduced Gibbs to bourbon during a team unwinding session at a bar, and Franks instilled the trust-your-instincts mentality in him. As for the bourbon, while the team was relaxing after work, Dominguez joined Gibbs at his table and offered two glasses. Although Gibbs hadn’t tried it before, it eventually became his preferred drink, particularly when he worked on building boats in his basement.
In my perspective as a fan, for most of his adult life, including his time in the Marine Corps until NCIS: Origins, Gibbs was accustomed to following a strict hierarchy and respecting authority deeply. However, this rigidity sometimes made him reluctant to voice unconventional ideas. But then came a moment when he shared his intuitions about three later sniping cases, revealing the true target among the trio. Mike Franks strongly emphasized that if Gibbs ever gets a gut feeling, he should share it with the team without hesitation.
Why Is Lala Dominguez So Important To Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ Past?
From the start of NCIS: Origins, it was clear that Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Lala Dominguez were not romantic interests, and as the storyline of “Enter Sandman” progresses, it becomes evident why. By the end of the premiere, we learn that Dominguez is in a relationship, but even beyond this, tension arises between her and Gibbs during their investigation. Dominguez questions Gibbs’ readiness to become an NIS agent because he had failed his psychological evaluation, feeling that his past experiences with his wife and daughter made him unsuitable. Moreover, she expresses concern that Mike was favoring Gibbs, despite the fact that she possessed more experience in this field.
Although Dominguez wasn’t explicitly mentioned on NCIS, it becomes clear later that she plays a significant role in Gibbs’ life. This is clarified towards the end of “Enter Sandman,” as we listen to Gibbs penning down these words in his journal during his first NIS investigation:
“This is a story I don’t tell. This is the story of her.”
In the fire-lit crime scene where Lala Dominguez was gazing intently at Gibbs, a deeply personal event occurred between them, one that Gibbs had kept secret for years and only now feels comfortable sharing. This incident left such a profound mark on him that he never discussed it with anyone else. As for why he’s revealing this story now, it could be because Dominguez has recently passed away or perhaps some other event prompted him to share this untold tale. The ensuing questions demand answers, and it is hoped that the upcoming series NCIS: Origins will run long enough to provide all the necessary details.
Every Monday at 10 PM Eastern Time (ET), you can catch the latest episodes of “NCIS: Origins” on CBS. If you miss the live broadcast, don’t worry! With your Paramount+ subscription, you can watch the show later and also access all other series within this procedural franchise.
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2024-10-15 06:07