Jobaaj Stories
🧃 Love Cut Short: Gibbs and Lala’s Romance Ends Before It Begins
Fans hoping for a romantic breakthrough between young Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell) and Cecilia “Lala” Dominguez (Mariel Molino) were left heartbroken. The couple came achingly close to their first kiss, only for it to be halted by a shocking revelation.
In a steamy late-night swim, Gibbs and Lala shared an intimate moment—but stopped short of kissing. Why? Gibbs had a painful truth to share.
💬 “That kiss would have been tainted,” says executive producer Gina Lucita Monreal.
🕵️♀️ Pedro Hernandez Plotline Sparks Fallout
The finale titled “Cecilia” revolves around Gibbs’ decision to finally come clean about killing drug lord Pedro Hernandez—an act of vengeance for his family’s murder.
Key Developments:
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Gibbs retrieves the sniper rifle he used and turns it over to military police investigator Lara Macy (Claire Berger).
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He chooses not to involve Lala or mentor Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid) in a coverup.
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Lala walks away after Gibbs confesses, heartbroken and furious.
👩❤️👨 Lala Risks Everything to Save Gibbs
Unbeknownst to Gibbs, Lala lies to Macy and claims responsibility for the shooting. Her move convinces Macy to drop the case, filling a major gap in NCIS canon.
This explains a moment in the original NCIS series where Macy mysteriously drops the investigation into Gibbs—now we know Lala was behind it.
🧠 "She put it all on the line for Gibbs," says executive producer David J. North.
🔥 Enter Diane: Gibbs Meets His Future Wife
As Gibbs clears out his home, we get a surprise cameo—Diane, the red-headed real estate agent who becomes his second wife. Fans of the original series will recognize her as Diane Sterling (Melinda McGraw).
The appearance reminds viewers that, despite the heartbreak, Gibbs’ story is far from over.
🚗 Tragedy Strikes: Lala’s Fate Left Unknown
Racing to tell Gibbs about her sacrifice, Lala crashes her Jeep while swerving to avoid a child. The final scene shows her unconscious, with blood on her face and Simon & Garfunkel’s “Cecilia” playing softly in the background.
🎙️ “I loved her all along. I still do,” narrates Mark Harmon’s Gibbs, closing the episode with a haunting reflection.
