This post contains spoilers from NCIS: Origins season 2 episode 2 from this point forward.
Gibbs and the team are officially back together after the NCIS: Origins season 2 premiere. Not only did the season premiere confirm that Lala survived her near-death car accident (though with a traumatic brain injury and a massive scar on her leg), but Randy also rejoined the crew after winding up switching places with Wheeler. Back in action, the dream team takes on a new case in episode 2.
Leading into the second episode of the season, we knew that the team would be investigating the death of a college swimmer when his body washes ashore at the beach. But they must look into whether the swimmer's death was accidental or if someone was involved in his murder. Meanwhile, after Gibbs was teased by Lala for not taking the interrogation plunge, he's prepping for his first.
Let's catch up with Gibbs and the team and recap NCIS: Origins season 2 episode 2!
Lala becomes wrapped up with catching Rico Luna
The episode opens with Lala praying in a church, inspired to enter after surviving her crash. For the first time, we catch a glimpse of Lala in the hospital after her crash. Gibbs was by her side, holding her hand and crying while she was in a coma. Back in real time, Gibbs watches Lala's investigation tapes as prep for his first interrogation. Flaco surprises Lala at the church with a threat. She pulls a knife on him, unfazed by his words, but she still leaves with Flaco and Manny to a second location.
While Lala's off on her adventure, Randy photographs the body on the beach as the medical examiners investigate what could have happened. For now, they're under the assumption it's a drowning. Randy catches up with Gibbs, who was looking for Lala down the beach. She finally shows up, having been dropped off by Flaco and Manny, but Gibbs seems to know something's up.
In the office, Lala turns to vera about Rico Luna and shares that she think she killed someone. Before she get get further into the conversation, Randy summons her to the bullpen with an identification on their body from the beach: a 19-year-old named Miguel. They still believe his death to be accidental even though they think someone might have tried to save him. Franks talks to her about her "fella" dropping her off at the crime scene. It's pretty funny.
Franks and Gibbs pay a visit to Miguel's father and ask about their recent and distant past. Gibbs accuses his father of pushing Miguel too far by training him in the ocean. Castillo refutes the claim and accuses Miguel's teammates of wrongdoing. Franks pulls Gibbs out of there when he gets too worked up. He doesn't think Gibbs is ready for interrogation, and after that display, he might be right. But Gibbs still diligently studies at home for his chance in the interview room.
Gibbs' first interrogation doesn't go as planned
Diane helps give Gibbs some confidence to "take the bull by the horns." Meanwhile, Franks and Randy question Miguel's swimming coach. They learn that swimming scholarships were taken away, which definitely impacted Miguel but he paid off his tuition in cash. While talking with Lala about the case, he spots the picture of Rico Luna on her desk. Vera checked with the FBI about Luna, and Lala finally admits that Flaco took her to a cemetery.
He told Lala that Luna killed his cousin, and he wants her to take him down. Vera doesn't want her to become involved in the situation, but Lala seems to want to go after Luna since he's a dangerous criminal that hasn't been captured. She doesn't take up Vera's promise to not go after him. While checking in swimmers, Gibbs notices a similar scrape as Miguel's on the leg of captain Owen Hawkins. He takes Owen to the interrogation room without approval from Franks.
Gibbs questions Owen about his relationship with Miguel. Lala rushes to the interrogation room, but the door is locked. Instead, she watches on the TV in the other room. Owen denies being the one training Miguel in the ocean, and Gibbs pushes on. He remains measured and persistent to get Owen to crack. Suddenly, Gibbs loses control and goes too far. Owen refuses to speak any further and Lala intervenes. That's the least of his worries when Franks arrives.
When Owen's alibi doesn't line up, Franks and Gibbs drop by his door room, but his roommate won't give up his location until Franks uses force. Finally, he admits Owen left for Mexico. The team rushes to catch Owen in Mexico. Franks lets Gibbs off the hook for his botched interrogation since the office views him as the new Carl. The team discovers the swim team was running drugs for a Mexican cartel. The team catches Owen swimming back on shore and surrendering.
Their assistant coach was behind it. Owen tried to save Miguel, but his coach forced him to leave Miguel behind in order to do another run. They wrapped up the case, and back at home, Diane assures Gibbs that he helped the case with his interrogation even if it almost blew the case. He vulnerably admits his fear about his aptitude for the job. The episode ends with Lala back at the church meeting with Flaco and turning down his offer to take down Luna.
NCIS: Origins airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on CBS, streaming next day on Paramount+.