Did NCIS: Origins ‘ Gibbs create rule 12 because of his feelings for Lala? Austin Stowell thinks so. “There’s a reason that people who work together sometimes end up getting together. It’s that they understand each other,” Stowell, 39, exclusively told Us Weekly .
“There’s a lot of Lala in Gibbs and vice versa that they see a bit of a mirror image. But they’re both very stubborn.” Stowell noted that the chemistry between Gibbs and Lala ( Mariel Molino ) could not have come at a worse time.
“At this point, we’re still just months after Gibbs lost his wife and child. Even if those emotions are creeping in, he probably is quieting them and feeling as if he shouldn’t have those feelings,” the actor explained. “If his wife and daughter were still alive, he would be with them.
It is only because of their death — their murder — that he blames himself for that he’s even in the position and interacting with the people he’s with.” NCIS: Origins follows a young Gibbs — a role originated by Mark Harmon — years prior to the events of NCIS . The new series picks up less than a year after Gibbs’ wife and daughter were killed.
During season 1, Gibbs starts a new job as a special agent at the NIS Camp Pendleton office while still dealing with the aftermath of losing his family. “The turmoil that probably causes him [is obvious]. [This week’s] episode was a great example of that, where you see Gibbs and Lala physically getting intimate for the fi.