Long known for being stoic, Gibbs is surprisingly overprotective of Lala in NCIS: Origins. The NCIS spinoff has featured a few differences between it and its flagship series, but the differences in Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ character have been the most noticeable. As NCIS: Origins takes place just a few months after Gibbs tragically lost his wife and daughter, some personality changes are expected as Gibbs navigates these new feelings of loss while also experiencing a change in his career.

Fortunately, the changes between NCIS and NCIS: Origins have been made up by the excellent NCIS: Origins characters. Since the premiere of the show, Gibbs has had great relationships with his colleagues, who have all been incredibly understanding of his situation. However, out of all the characters, Lala stands out the most to him. Gibbs not only gets along great with Lala, but he is also particularly overprotective of her in ways that he is not with his male coworkers.

Gibbs Protects Lala Because He Couldn’t Protect Shannon

Gibbs Feels Guilty About Shannon’s Death

In an NCIS: Origins flashback, Gibbs revealed that Shannon and Kelly were killed while he was deployed as part of his service in the Marine Corps. The news was so devastating to him that he struggled with the idea of returning home without them there. His personality and character completely changed as he was overcome with grief and guilt. Gibbs even continues to feel guilty about their passing in NCIS: Origins, which is why he tries to keep Lala safe instead.

Lala told him to stand down, but it was clear that Gibbs was blinded by his recent grief to listen.

Gibbs could not protect his family when they needed him, so he tries to overcompensate by protecting Lala. The first major incident was in episode 5 when Gibbs overreacted to two men when they ignored Lala’s command to leave the premises. Lala told him to stand down, but it was clear that Gibbs was blinded by his recent grief to listen. Then, in NCIS: Origins episode 9, Gibbs struggled with following Franks’ command to stand down when he saw Lala being attacked by a suspect. Gibbs is particularly protective of Lala because he wants to protect her from Shannon’s fate.