The death or survival of Lala Dominguez in NCIS: Origins currently remains the prequel series’ greatest mystery, but a new revelation paints a grim outlook for Gibbs’ fan-favorite love interest. After managing to achieve one of the most epic collisions with a parked car in recent broadcast TV, Lala may not begin NCIS: Origins season 2 on an upswing.

Lala’s horrific car crash at the very end of the NCIS: Origins season 1 finale wasn’t entirely shocking, since Gibbs has been alluding to Lala meeting a potentially tragic fate since the prequel series’ premiere. However, whether one of the most likable among NCIS: Origins’ original characters actually passes away is now becoming an even more concerning topic of discussion.

Lala’s NCIS: Origins Season 2 Appearance Doesn’t Guarantee Her Survival

Despite season 1 ending on the haunting image of Lala’s bloody, motionless body, rumors that Lala would survive began to spread after actor Mariel Molino posted a photo revealing that she’d been called to set to begin filming season 2. But NCIS: Origins co-showrunner Gina Lucita Monreal recently spoke up about these rumors, once again calling Lala’s survival into question:

“I can confirm that Mariel has been on set with us. I think it’s fair to say you will see her in the show, but how you will see her remains a mystery. And what her fate actually is remains a mystery.”

Monreal proceeds to discuss multiple possible explanations for Lala’s appearance in NCIS: Origins season 2, ranging from her rumored survival to the idea that Lala could appear as another character’s vision or in a flashback that explores new aspects of her backstory. At the very least, there’s a likely possibility that we’ll see her in a hospital bed early on.

While it’s obvious that Monreal is partly doing damage control and partly suggesting ideas to generate buzz among fans for the upcoming season, Lala’s death ultimately makes the most sense after Gibbs’ end-of-season narration about the crash. Lala’s survival ruins Gibbs’ NCIS: Origins story arc almost entirely. That said, her death won’t be without its consequences to the story overall.

How Lala Dying Will Drastically Change The Narrative Direction Of NCIS: Origins Season 2

In many ways, Lala’s death is really just a storytelling tool. It serves as an explanation for why Gibbs and Lala’s NCIS: Origins romance never comes up in the flagship, as Gibbs suggests in both the season 1 premiere and finale that Lala’s fate traumatized him too much to tell her story. But he won’t be the only one affected.

Randy’s NCIS: Origins season 1 storyline ends with him pursuing a desk job to prevent his son from losing a father. His initial request doesn’t get him very far, but losing another agent makes it even less practical to take Randy out of the field. And losing a close friend obviously won’t quell his fear of dying on the job.

Assuming the series isn’t done with her, NCIS: Origins’ young Lara Macy is in for a rough ride as well. Without Lala, Macy’s the only person who knows exactly why she dropped the investigation into Gibbs’ murder of Pedro Hernandez. And because of Lara Macy’s NCIS season 6 story, we know Gibbs doesn’t learn the truth for another 18 years.

This means that, following Gibbs’ season 1 revenge story, he’ll now be thrust into a story about grief and secrecy. Fortunately, NCIS: Origins exterminating Lala also sets him up to move on with Diane. After watching Gibbs suffer throughout most of a season, seeing him finally happy—even with a future ex—should be a much-needed breath of fresh air.