NCIS: Origins Season 1, Episode 9 – “Vivo o Muerto”
In the chilling episode 9 of NCIS: Origins, titled “Vivo o Muerto,”Leroy Jethro Gibbs finds himself perilously close to confronting his family’s murderer. This pivotal episode, “Sick As Our Secrets,”unveils a significant connection involving Special Agent Randolph (Caleb Foote), intertwining his backstory with the tragic fate of Gibbs’ wife and daughter. The introduction of Randy adds depth to the narrative, effectively linking the new character to Gibbs’ haunting past.
“Vivo o Muerto”explores the complexities of Gibbs’ case as he teams up with Special Agent Lala Dominguez (Mariel Molino) in Mexico. Lala reveals her personal ties to the case, sharing that she is half-Mexican, which prompts a deeper bond between her and Gibbs during their investigation. The episode culminates in a resolution for one of the pivotal storylines of NCIS: Origins, just before the highly anticipated mid-season finale, yet it also seeds a rift between Gibbs and Lala, complicating their partnership further.
8 Gibbs’ Pursuit of Pedro Hernandez: A Backstory Unfolds
Gibbs’ Relentless Hunt for Pedro Hernandez
This episode features an illuminating flashback showcasing Gibbs six months prior to his career with NIS, indicating his dogged pursuit of his family’s killer! Key details about Hernandez, including his cartel connections and vehicle information, are unveiled as Gibbs navigates through a maze of revelations. Despite struggles depicted through narration by the original actor, Mark Harmon, showcasing Gibbs’ emotional turmoil, there’s a sense that he has begun to find a way to move forward from his trauma.
7 Unraveling the Case in Episode 9
A Condemned Navy Sailor and Cartel Ties
As the episode unfolds, Gibbs and his team get closer to uncovering the mystery surrounding Pedro Hernandez (George Paez). Their investigation is triggered by a petty officer delivering a drunk sailor to NIS, who unwillingly beckons Gibbs’ involvement. Agreeing to assist, Gibbs and Lala begin uncovering alarming truths. Lala’s keen eye leads to the discovery of an ID belonging to a missing Navy corpsman, Dana Rogers (Zoe Sansanowicz), further entangling them in a web of abductions linked to a Tijuana nightclub.
6 Complex Personalities: Tish and Franks’ Struggles
Mike Franks Takes A Day Off
Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid) experiences tension at home when he discovers that a painter arrives early for their scheduled appointment. In a seemingly ordinary scenario, Franks reveals his deeper anxieties related to a case involving Tish (Tonantzin Carmelo), who suffered a sexual assault. While Tish exudes confidence about the painter’s presence, Franks’s struggle with unresolved feelings about their situation adds depth to their dynamic.
5 Gibbs and Lala’s Journey to Tijuana
Lala Takes the Wheel
With a breakthrough in their case leading to a nightclub in Mexico, Gibbs and Lala, under Franks’ interim leadership, set off for Tijuana. This unexpected development not only showcases Lala’s emerging leadership qualities but also adds tension between her and Gibbs, as she holds secrets connected to her familial history in Mexico.
4 Investigating the Cartel: A Dark Underbelly of Human Trafficking
Targeting Pedro Hernandez
Upon arrival in Mexico, Lala and Gibbs delve deeper into Dana Rogers’ case, which rapidly reveals a connection to a human trafficking ring linked directly to the Reynosa cartel and Pedro Hernandez. This unsettling revelation intensifies the stakes for Gibbs as he inches closer to confronting the man responsible for his family’s tragedy.
Viewers can catch up with all the thrilling episodes of NCIS: Origins on Paramount+.
3 Lala’s Confession & Unexpected Danger
A Moment of Vulnerability
In the confines of their hotel room, Lala reveals her fears of failure regarding the case and her commitment to bring justice to Gibbs’ family. This intimate exchange highlights her personal investment in the outcome. Just as the two share a moment of connection, a sudden barrage of gunfire interrupts them, suggesting that their enemies are aware of their presence.
2 Successful Rescue of Dana Rogers, but No Sign of Hernandez
Gibbs Worries for Lala’s Safety
As Franks joins the team in Mexico, they devise a strategy to confront Hernandez, leading to a successful operation rescuing Dana Rogers and uncovering other trafficking victims. Despite their victory, Gibbs remains frustrated at the absence of Hernandez, who still eludes them. The stakes continue to build as they attempt to ascertain the whereabouts of Hernandez.
1 The Shocking Revelation: Hernandez’s Death
Gibbs’ Confrontation with Pedro Hernandez
As the episode draws to a close, shocking news comes to light regarding Pedro Hernandez’s fate. A guard captured during their operation reveals that Hernandez was killed by a sniper six months ago, a fact covered up by the Reynosa cartel to maintain their image. This revelation connects back to Gibbs’ past as it confirms he was the one who ended Hernandez’s life. This twist not only amplifies the stakes but gnaws at the connection between Gibbs and Lala, who spent considerable time pursuing a man who had already met his end.
The dramatic development contributes to the complex narratives of NCIS: Origins, promising more intertwining paths in upcoming episodes.