Critic’s Rating: 4 / 5.0
4
Well, ladies and gents, I’d say Christmas came early, but I’m still trying to figure out what exactly NCIS: Origins gave audiences. We thought we were getting answers but were left with questions.
Truthfully, the case in this episode was a particularly difficult one to follow. If I have it right, a guy who worked for the government was tricked into giving away military weapon schematics.
However, the actual plot of NCIS: Origins was almost entirely about Special Agent Lala Dominguez. It only took six episodes, but we finally got some insight into the character.
However, that insight came with burning questions that will likely stay with viewers until the series provides answers.
The first is, what the hell is going on with Lala?
NCIS: Origins’ Special Agent Lala Domingues Is A Tapestry Of Bottled-Up Emotions
Right off the bat, I was so excited to watch this episode. If you read the NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 6 Spoilers, you know we were banking on some info on the NIS’s hardest-working agent.
When I say “hardest working,” I’m not talking about the job, exactly. Work is definitely a part of it, but it seems like every second of the day is a struggle for Lala.
Then again, how can it not be when the women and men at the precinct share a locker room with only a curtain to divide? Was there no HR in the ’90s?
That has to be against so many protocols now. However, I am the farthest thing from a cop, so if there is truth to this depiction, please sound off in the comments.
Lala’s face is a tapestry of bottled-up emotions and all the things she chooses not to say. Watching her at the end, listening to her colleagues talk about how good she looked in that black dress, was so gross.
Even if it was meant as a compliment, what in the world would make a person think it’s okay to talk about another person, let alone a colleague, in that context?
The worst part is that even Caleb Foote’s (Magnum P.I.) Randy tends to “Bro Out” in the workplace.
Someone Should Tell Wheeler That Mike Franks Runs The Precinct
I don’t know about you, but I was all kinds of uncomfortable watching Randy at the start of the episode read those letters while Lala listened. It was a new level of cringe.
However, despite the overwhelming misogyny, it revealed one good thing. Confronted with the truth of the situation, Randy had the good sense to be embarrassed.
It’s better he gets a handle on it now before he says something that causes Mary Jo’s ears to perk up in the workplace. Speaking of Mary Jo, lord, that woman was dressed for the gods.
We already knew Mary Jo was a woman who put effort into her wardrobe and how she presents herself. Remember those sky-high heels in NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 4? The woman is a vibe.
I was thoroughly shocked that Franks had the courage to go toe-to-toe with Mary Jo over a message that he wanted repeated “word for word.” That man is playing with fire.
Then again, Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid) pretty much runs the precinct. We might as well acknowledge that Wheeler will do pretty much whatever Franks asks him to.
That says, if anything, that Wheeler is more intelligent than we likely give him credit for. He doesn’t hold his best man back and supports whatever he needs to do the job.
However, there was that little inquiry Wheeler made at the end to Franks about Lala and how she was “handling it.” Unless I missed something, what do we think that could be about?
Whatever Is Going On With Lala Started Long Before Gibbs Showed Up
I know we already talked about Lala above, but the spotlight was heavily thrown on the woman in NCIS: Origins, and we have more to cover. Again, what the hell is going on with this woman?
NCIS: Origins did an excellent job establishing Mariel Molino’s (Promised Land) Lala as stable and someone who stays on top of their stuff. Everything we thought we knew about the character was washed away with one episode.
I have to ask, what is wrong with the boyfriend? I get that Lala needs to put herself in a box at work. Most people can relate to biting their tongue and just taking the crap at work.
But why does Lala need to put herself in a box at home? She has a handsome, sweet, ambitious boyfriend who cooks and cleans. What am I missing? Did he say something condescending?
Whatever is going on with Lala started long before Gibbs showed up, but maybe two broken people can help each other put their pieces back together.
It doesn’t work in the real world, but this is television magic we’re talking about. When it comes to cinema, no relationship is too toxic to bring people together. Just watch Tell Me Lies if you don’t believe me.
NCIS: Origins Is A Ballad Of Broken People
Thankfully, none of the NCIS: Origins’ characters are nearly as toxic as the ones on that show. Still, we’ve got some pretty broken people to contend with.
Did you notice how Gibbs kind of froze when he had that knife to the seller’s throat? It was like he had an out-of-body experience. From the looks of it, Franks seemed especially concerned.
What did he think Gibbs was going to do? Sure, he went a little nuts in NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 5 with the guys in the truck, but I don’t think he would’ve killed anyone.
Hopefully, this marks a change in pace for Gibbs. He seemed eager to spend time with Lala, considering how hard he tried to get her to join him and Randy for a drink.
Audiences wanted to see more of the show’s supporting characters, and they got their wish. It was also a refreshing break from Gibbs’s (Austin Stowell) possible plan to locate his family’s killer.
It’s starting to seem like one of the main requirements for working at the NIS is emotional trauma and enough baggage to fail a psychological evaluation.
NCIS: Origins is on a solid track with developing its characters. Let’s just hope the trend sticks. I have to know if the NIS’s golden boy, Randy, has any skeletons in his closet.
Lastly, I would like to pose a question about continuity in this episode. The guy who died at the beginning was catfished by a pen pal. I got that part, but here’s where I’m struggling.
Are pen pals not allowed to call each other on the phone? He made plans to meet but didn’t think to confirm it over the phone — not even to check that he was talking to a woman.
Then again, the character was dumb enough to try to sell military secrets. It was just another day on the job for the NIS.
Do you think we’ll see the eventual shift from the NIS to the NCIS?
What do you think is going on with Special Agent Lala Dominguez?
Please drop a comment below to let me know what you liked about this episode, and join me again when I review NCIS: Origins.
And be sure to keep an eye out for NCIS: Origins Spoilers for the next episode!
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