‘NCIS: LA’s Ongoing Storylines Ahead of Season 12: What You Need to Know
Sure, NCIS: LA fans are wondering if they’ll have to say goodbye to Hetty Lange (Linda Hunt) as the team’s (much more hands off as of late) operations manager sooner rather than later, but that’s not the only ongoing storyline heading into next season.
Episodes at the end of the shortened Season 11 have set up a couple interesting arcs for the team and those around them, from a trial that Sam Hanna (LL Cool J) is determined to see go the right way to the mystery behind Anna Kolcheck’s (Bar Paly) record being completely erased.
Scroll down as we break down what we know about these storylines.
Why Anna Is Free
Anna was a fugitive after escaping prison — she’d shot an unarmed arms dealer who threatened her father — with her cellmate and Russian spy Kate Miller/Katya (Eve Harlow) in Season 10. And last season in Episode 18, “Missing Time,” she turned herself into the police, only for AUSA Allan Williams (Alimi Ballard) to reveal to her and Callen (Chris O’Donnell) the warrant for her arrest no longer existed. “DOJ has no criminal record on file for Anna Kolcheck,” he said. No one did. There wasn’t even a record of her incarceration anymore.
Then, as the team celebrated inside the bar, Williams joined a couple men in a car and informed them that Kolcheck turning herself in “required us to expedite things.” And he made it clear that “if the subject attempts to make contact with Kolcheck, you are to inform me immediately. Do not attempt to approach the subject on your own. She is to be considered armed and extremely dangerous.” The subject was none other than Kate.
(Monty Brinton/CBS)
That will pick up in Season 12. “Something from Anna’s past comes back and threatens the team,” executive producer R. Scott Gemmill previously teased. “It will put loved ones in jeopardy and put Callen on a new path that strains his relationship with Sam and the team. It’s powerful.”
Argento’s Trial
In what ended up being the Season 11 finale, “Code of Conduct,” Mac (Catherine Bell) enlisted the team to investigate two SEALs’ claim that their chief, Argento (Juan Riedinger), murdered a sedated prisoner and civilians. Argento was (eventually) arrested.
“You know you’re going down. Off the record, nothing you’ve done here has anything to do with being a warrior, a SEAL, or an American,” Sam said, disgusted with Argento’s actions. “You betrayed everything that the military and the team stand for.” But Argento didn’t think they’d ever convict him — because his wife is the cousin of a senator.
While it won’t be in the premiere, “the trial of Argento and his mano a mano morality battle with Sam, we will pick that up next year,” executive producer Frank Military promised.
As Mac warned the team, this could not only affect their careers but the future of the Office of Special Projects as well because of those D.C. connections. That remains a concern, the EP said. “There will be pressure coming from that direction, that this gets squashed.”
(Monty Brinton/CBS)
Hetty’s (Eventual) Retirement
We’ve been seeing less and less of Hetty in the office in recent seasons, and she will one day retire. But who will take over for her is still very much up in the air. Sam has a plan in mind, which includes Callen having the honor and the two of them training younger agents (like Rountree) in their ways. Meanwhile, Hetty has also had Callen in mind, as well as tech analyst Nell Jones (Renée Felice Smith), who isn’t even sure she wants to be an agent anymore.
“It could be somebody completely new that we haven’t seen before, but there are a bunch of different characters that have come through the show that could come in that they may not like, but that would make sense for the team,” Military said. Two possibilities he named are Mac and Gerald McRaney‘s Kibride.
NCIS: Los Angeles, Season 12, Fall 2020, CBS
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G
Eric is essential the team especially if Nell leaves. Anna is dead weight and all wrong for Callen.
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G
I have really been hoping the Anna character was gone for good. Never like her. All wrong for Callen.
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C
I think and I hope that not any of the characters leave because it's a perfect team. I live them all. If Hetty retires maybe Nell or Callen should take over. I love Seeks and Kensy and Sam is just the best.
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T
Both Nell and Callen said no. and there's no way Hetty is leaving
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T
The only thing that deserve's to be remembered is Anna's. And why is this website so sure that Hetty will leave? whoever wrote this DOES now that this show is doomed without her, RIGHT? that's the only nonsense that needs to get forgotten about and never brought up again. cuz if S12 is to be a fresh start, it needs to act like one instead of continuing to add insult to a 2 year injury that needs to heal completely already!
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P
It is stated as "eventual" retirement, it's going to be a possibility until they address it or it happens. In real life, people in those kinds of government roles get aged out long before they reach Hetty's age! And even in Hetty's own words from the end of episode 9: "I won't be here forever".
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People say things they don't mean all the time. and Frank Military, one of the Executive Producers and the whumpiest writer, said so HIMSELF that Hetty is the real heart of the show. she goes, the show goes with her whether any one wants to admit it or not.
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R
I am liking the revies on NCIS
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O
This may have already been asked. If it has, sorry.
Did NCIS:LA, or either of the other teams/series, tie up the Monsters episode from a previous season? The is the one where they dismember people, sew body parts from others to the torso, AND had audiences. The final shot was the girlfriend (I think) hanging in the garage. Anything? Is it still open? It needs closure.
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B
I've always wondered about this episode too but don't think they ever revisited it.
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T
No. not yet anyways
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O
Hetty is one of the significant characters, she is fun on the show
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G
What?
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G
The woman is in her 70s for Gods sake. She's given her entire life to her country. She deserves retirement. What's she supposed to do die with her boots on?
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G
Linda Hint is 75 and has health issues. Give the woman a break
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G
I meant Linda Hunt.
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O
I think Roundtree keeps that feel
Of NCIS that pulls all the NCIS together,I like that.
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C
Please don't replace Hetty for Now. With long. I do not like her. If she teplace hetty I won't watch it any more
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O
No don't get rid of Eric,he is a breath of fresh air,however I do like seeing him as a field agent also,but I Love to see a man not afraid to show funny side to the World,or his goofy side.
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O
Could be interesting. I'm going to wait and see because season 11 was so hit-and-miss and had some awful episodes and not sure how I feel about Fatima and Roundtree or how they'll fit in.
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It's been doing just fine while she's been on limited duty these past three seasons. Yes, the show without Hetty would be different but not necessarily the end. This show has lucked out and not had many casting change ups, but most every other show has done it without any problems.
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T
And how much longer did those shows last? or still had any real fans? Season 10 was the huge exception. Season 11 had no excuse that we knew of. Ratings went down, LOTS of fans have complained over and over again about how terrible Season 11 was (frankly, I don't blame them 1 bit. I emotionally tapped out well before the premature finale and was extremely releaved when the finale ended. which never happens.) She goes, the serious fans go with her. and all that'll be left are the hardcore Densi shippers that only watch because they want that stupid baby. and it'll be nothing but an ordinary procedure with no real spark. No one wants that.
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G
I watch it for Callen. PERIOD.
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T
Last one before I leave this alone. The show has suffered greatly in each episode she was absent in Seasons 10 and 11. Felt like there was something missing in each episode. Each show has the 1 person who is the 'glue' that holds it together. She is that 'glue'. A big chunk of the fandom knows it. When the 'glue' is gone. The show basically dies with it. Even if it still goes on, it just feels dead.
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O
I don't care who takes over for Hetty, but please do us a favor and get rid of "Eric." The actor and character are both so annoying that I always mute his scenes with "Nell." Please keep Anna on the show.
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No one is taking over for anyone. or leaving.
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