The second season of NCIS: Origins has arrived, answering the major question left by the season one finale. The premiere episode, titled “The Funky Bunch,” confirms that Special Agent Lala Dominguez survived her horrific car crash. The episode also shows a significant shift in Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ personal life, as he is now dating his future wife, Diane.
Lala’s Fate and Recovery
The season two premiere resolves the cliffhanger from last season, revealing that Lala survived the jeep accident. Her vehicle had flipped multiple times after she swerved to avoid a child in the road.
The episode details the severe injuries Lala sustained, which included a collapsed lung, a traumatic brain injury, and a crushed left leg. She underwent intense physical rehabilitation for months. A key part of her recovery involved using a neighbor’s pool for therapy, but this time she made sure to get their permission first.
Gibbs, narrating the episode, explains that Lala pushed herself hard in recovery because she did not want the team to have to continue working without her.
A Changed Team Dynamic
During Lala’s absence, the NIS team struggled to find its footing. Agent Wheeler had been reassigned to field duty but was performing poorly. Agent Randy had been moved to a desk job. The team’s leader, Mike Franks, felt the unit was not functioning effectively and wanted the original team members back in their proper roles.
Gibbs was also affected by Lala’s absence. He dealt with the emotional impact of her accident by immersing himself in work. He also began a new romantic relationship with Diane, a real estate agent whom fans of the NCIS franchise will recognize as his future wife. In one scene, Diane calls Gibbs “a hero” for his dedication to his work.
The Case of a Missing Marine
The team’s investigation centers on the disappearance of PFC Thomas Meyers, a 19-year-old Marine. His car was found abandoned in a barracks parking lot, and initial reports suggested he was headed to a shooting range.
Agent Randy’s research uncovered that “The Range” was not a standard firing range but a mysterious compound where people were allegedly hunted for sport. When Gibbs and Franks investigated the compound, its charismatic leader, Aidan Pruitt, refused to cooperate. While there, Gibbs heard a noise in the nearby woods and discovered Meyers’ body hanging from a tree.
An Awkward Reunion
Lala returned to work in the middle of the Meyers investigation. Her reunion with Gibbs was filled with tension. Gibbs revealed he had not visited Lala since her initial hospital stay, a period spanning months.
He became overly protective, suggesting she stay behind during the investigation and even trying to get a rolling chair for her in the darkroom. Lala firmly rejected his help, making it clear she was capable of doing her job.
The tension between them peaked during a foot chase. When Gibbs physically stopped Lala from pursuing a suspect named Lee Fabian, fearing hidden snares in the woods, she confronted him.
“You don’t stop me! I stop you! I’m back, probie. You see me? I’m back. Don’t you ever put your hands on me again!” Lala declared.
Solving the Murder Mystery
The investigation into Thomas Meyers’ death revealed a chain of tragic events. The autopsy showed he was shot, ensnared in a trap, and ultimately bled out while hanging upside down.
The team discovered that Meyers was a victim of hazing by his Corporal, who had left him in the woods to find a thumbtack. While searching for help, Meyers encountered Lee Fabian at a cabin. Fabian killed him to steal his distinctive light-up sneakers, which contained liquid mercury that caused a rash on Meyers’ ankle.
Gibbs and Lala eventually tracked Fabian to his grandmother’s house, where they found him wearing the victim’s shoes. After a tense standoff, the team was able to arrest Fabian with help from Pruitt, the compound leader.
Resolving Team Tensions
The professional conflict between Gibbs and Lala came to a head in the office, where Mike Franks yelled at them to focus on the case instead of their personal issues. Lala assured Franks she would speak up if her injuries were causing her problems.
In a conversation with Mary Jo, Lala learned that Gibbs started dating Diane because he was afraid of the deep feelings he had for Lala and could not bear the thought of losing someone he loved again.
“He’s too complicated for me, anyway,” Lala replied, dismissing the situation.
By the end of the episode, Wheeler and Randy successfully made their case to return to their original positions, restoring the core team. The episode concluded with the entire team together in a car, singing along to the Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch song “Good Vibrations.”
Also Read: NCIS: Sydney Season 3 Kicks Off With a Major Terrorist Plot
