Is Hetty Going to Retire Soon on ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’?
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Season 11, Episode 11 of NCIS: Los Angeles, “Answers.”]
It’s felt like NCIS: LA is planning for a future without Hetty (Linda Hunt) — at least in the office — for some time now. (She could always help out in an unofficial capacity.) And in the fall finale, the team seriously considers just what the future of the team might be without their operations manager.
Already this season we’ve seen Hetty consider who might take over for her at OSP, but both her choices seemingly reject the position. And in “Answers,” Hetty’s future at the agency is a hot topic.
When Kensi (Daniela Ruah) asks the others if they think Hetty’s going to retire, they see it more as an “eventually,” not something that will happen anytime soon. But as she points out, Hetty comes into work late, leaves early, and is working from home more and more. She’s “slowing down.” “She’s strong, she wants to be here, she’s not going anywhere,” Callen (Chris O’Donnell) insists.
But they do have to think about who would take over for her because it can’t just be anyone. Sam (LL Cool J) doesn’t want it, but he thinks it should be Callen. His partner disagrees. “I have been with Hetty since I was a kid,” he explains. “A lot of me is her. If I were to take her job, it would be the culmination of all of her teachings, all of her lessons.”
So why not Sam? Because Sam already knows what he wants to do next: teach young agents. “Our team is good, better than good, but it’s not the best it’s ever been,” he tells Callen. And his plan to do that is for Callen to take over once Hetty retires, and then they “find a young agent, maybe 2 of them. We teach them the way we do things, and we turn this office into the best it’s ever been.” Callen’s in.
(Cliff Lipson/CBS)
And with that plan in place, we may be the closest we’ve ever been to the show seriously considering the future of NCIS without Hetty, something that’s hard for everyone to think about. The signs are all there. Hetty wants to make sure there’s someone who can take over for her. Callen has seemingly agreed to at least seriously consider being the one to do so to fit with Sam’s plan. Sam knows what he wants to do to better the team. And we have to consider that Special Prosecutor Rogers (Peter Jacobsen) could use the information he obtained in Episode 250 against her.
However, Sam also said that he hasn’t found any young agents who are up to his standards quite yet. So, given the way he has laid out his plan, we likely still have time before we have to say goodbye to Hetty and prepare for some major changes at OSP.
NCIS: Los Angeles, Sundays, 9/8c, CBS
Conversation11 Comments
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B
I hope she isn't leaving the show. It won't be worth watching without her. It has gone downhill this season.
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O
Hetty makes the NCIS LA show
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We want Linda Hunt to stay
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O
The show really needs Hetty (Linda Hunt). If she is leaving for personal reasons, perhaps they can "retire" her much as they have retired Ducky on NCIS. Some characters make the show feel more realistic. Hetty as an old time spy with all the secrets and knowing where the bodies are buried adds a flavor to the show it would be lacking otherwise.
I have many gripes about NCIS: Los Angeles and near the top is the name (NCIS: San Diego or Pendleton maybe but not LA).
I like G, Sam, ... but they are not glue for the team. Hetty is the glue. She was even the glue/central figure when not present.
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I just love Hetty ( Linda Hunt ) . She's a very spunky gal . I hope she doesn't leave NCUS - LA for a long time. She's the only reason why I watch the show . I would love to have an autograph picture of her . :]
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C
One wonders if the show is nearing its end. Everyone is talking about change. But maybe that is so we all keep wondering. I do hope Hetty stays. It might be Linda Hunt's decision and if that is the case then it is better. OR maybe she could make occasional apperances.
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Without Hetty I don’t want to watch NCISLA. She is main person in that show. So if she isn’t going to be in it let us know. I don’t want to waste my time. I’ll watch the reruns with Hetty in them. Cut your losses and cancel the show.
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T
I was right. all a bunch of BS. Season 12 needs to pretend a large chunk of this season never happened and have a real fresh start.
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O
Worst gooey episode EVER!
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T
How about just STOP with this?? dosn't matter, this is all just nothing but red herrings! you'll all be wrong before the end of this season anyways, so, why all the BS??
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J
Hello, that's what this site does: it poses pointless, useless questions that don't really have or need answers. Articles like this are clickbait.
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