Mariel Molino on Lala’s Backstory, Gibbs, and That Plane Crash Death Reveal (Exclusive)

Like fans, Mariel Molino was “shocked” when Gibbs (Mark Harmon) said that her character died a long time ago in a plane crash in the present-day timeline of NCIS: Origins Season 3. After that reveal, and with the Tuesday, November 10, episode digging into Lala’s backstory, TV Insider, of course, had to talk to Molino.

This next episode, titled “Baila Esta Cumbia,” sees the 1993 team’s investigation into the murder of a con woman hit close to home for Lala. Her father was a con man, and she used to be his partner. It’s something that not everyone on team knew about, but it very much informs who she is.

Below, Mariel Molino previews Lala’s backstory and reacts to her character’s (supposed?) fate.
We have to of course talk about that Lala is dead of it and your reaction to that, especially the plane crash of it?

Mariel Molino: I mean, it was shocking to say the least. I think anytime there’s any information about Lala revealed in the episodes, it’s difficult to navigate because it’s something that I don’t necessarily think I can play. I’m just in the present timeline and I have to just keep playing Lala as I would. But then there’s just so many fan reactions, which is great. I mean, I love that people care about Lala and they really have a special place in their heart for her, and they’re just telling me not to get on planes and avoiding any travel. It’s just really funny and exciting to see. There’s only so much I can share about what I know, and it’s like a tricky dance that I have to play as an actor/a fan of the show.

Did you believe Gibbs was telling the truth when you first read it?

That’s a good question. I did. I did. I really did.

Then this next case hits close to home for Lala, and you had told me ahead of the season that we get a bit of a backstory. So what can you please about this next episode for Lala?

Well, it explains a lot about who Lala is and why she is the agent that she is. She grew up watching someone read rooms and work angles, and it’s why she’s a natural agent. I think it’s great that we get to see her backstory because it kind of becomes something that made her good at the job, not something that she has to escape. It gives you insight on her relationship with her father and how that has affected the way she views relationships in present day and why she might not be as trusting as she would like, and why she has a tough time giving into Gibbs and trusting him and why she needed that time at the beginning of the episode and why she really wanted to make sure that Gibbs’ love was true and tried because she’s been hurt by the person that is supposed to protect her the most. That was really important to me and to showcasing why she is the way she is.

Robert Voets/CBS

So how does Lala handle this coming up at this point and who does she lean on?

She knows that Franks [Kyle Schmid] knows about this, and so there’s at least a little bit of relief there. It’s not that she has to explain this to her boss or that she’s going to get fired. They hired her despite knowing what was on her record, despite knowing that she had gotten into issues with the law.

But I think she’s unsure whether or not she can lean on Gibbs. She’s unsure whether or not he’s having reservations about her or is perhaps judging her in some way. I think there’s a lot of shame attached to uncovering this backstory because Gibbs is a boy scout and he is just so by the book, and to find this out about your partner and about who he is, I mean, it’s bringing up a lot of insecurities for her and she kind of wants to be able to lean on him, but also be that agent that everyone knows her to be and keep her eyes on the prize and just solving the case.

But it’s also like she wants it to be her dad. She wants to confront this man and have this moment of, I don’t know, confrontation. And so that’s kind of getting in the way of her just letting go and focusing on what she has in front of her, which is this man that loves her no matter what, without judgment, without reservation. I think she’s trying to mend old wounds and that’s kind of messing with her.

NCIS: Origins, Tuesdays, 10/9c, CBS