NCIS: Origins season 2 has finally premiered and answered our burning question about Lala's fate, which we all likely thought would be the biggest reveal of the follow-up season so far. Obviously, we needed to know whether she lived or died, and let's just say, without giving anything away, that we're surprised about the outcome in a good way. But long-time fans are going to love the next reveal.
If you have been watching NCIS from the very beginning, since its premiere on CBS in 2003, there are likely a number of characters you're hoping to see pop up in NCIS: Origins. Gibbs and Franks are two of the main returnees, with others like Vera, Gibbs' father, Fornell, and Diane also appearing. But we're about to become reacquainted with a beloved character and we have our first-look!
Going into NCIS: Origins season 2, we knew that the prequel series was going to fold in more younger versions of established characters from the flagship NCIS series, but we haven't caught a glimpse of the new characters coming to visit Gibbs and the team. However, photos of Adam Campbell reprising his role as the younger version of Ducky have finally arrived.
Young Ducky makes his debut in NCIS: Origins season 2 episode 3
We'll have to wait after the second episode of the season for Dr. Mallard to appear. NCIS: Origins season 2 episode 3, which is titled "The Edge," will include Campbell's return to the NCIS franchise. According to the official synopsis via CBS, Ducky drops by Pendleton to determine whether the teams requires a full-time, in-house medical examiner. But not everyone trusts him.
Apparently, "not everyone" on the team believes that's the sole reason Ducky pays his old acquaintance Gibbs a visit. What other motives could have Ducky coming to Pendleton, and does it have anything to do with Gibbs? Per the photos that have already been released from season 2 episode 3, Ducky's shown handing Gibbs a box wrapped in brown paper. What's in the box?
Mariel Molino, who plays Lala in NCIS: Origins, revealed that Lala isn't the one who doesn't trust Ducky. In an interview with TV Insider, Molino gushed about getting to work with Campbell and share scenes with Young Ducky. She also teased that getting to meet Ducky and speak with him as a new friend helps Lala gain more confidence in being open and honest:
"I’m very, very excited for you guys to see that dynamic because I guess it’s completely different to any other dynamic she has with anyone else on the show. She actually feels a sense of comfort with him and that she can trust him in a way that I can’t really describe, but there’s something about him not being a permanent member of the team that gives Lala a good amount of confidence in sharing with him things that she’s not ready to share with the rest of the team, specifically when it comes to the accident and some of the stuff that has happened to her," Molino said.
So, who isn't fully trusting Ducky? Franks? Randy? Maybe it's even Gibbs? Based on where he's at right now, Gibbs has been questioning everything and everyone, and that could even include Ducky. We'll find out what Ducky brings to NCIS: Origins when season 2 episode 3 airs on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 9/8c on CBS. For now, check out more photos of Young Ducky's return to NCIS!
NCIS: Origins airs new episodes Tuesdays at 9/8c on CBS, also streaming on Paramount+.