10 Hopes for ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ Season 12
NCIS: Los Angeles is entering its 12th season on a roll and showing no signs of slowing down (or decreasing the explosions, of course).
There’s so much to love about the series, whether it’s the different relationships among the team and the partners, the romances, the characters, the action, and the cases. And Season 11 left off with characters and storylines in places that have us excited for what’s next.
What does Hetty’s (Linda Hunt) eventual retirement mean for her team — Sam (LL Cool J), Callen (Chris O’Donnell), Kensi (Daniela Ruah), Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen), Eric (Barrett Foa), the on-vacation Nell (Renée Felice Smith), and Fatima (Medalion Rahimi)? What about the agents’ personal relationships and ongoing mysteries?
Scroll down as we share our Season 12 hopes across the board for that and more.
NCIS: Los Angeles, Season 12, Fall 2020, CBS
A definitive blueprint of the team going forward
This isn’t something we need to see addressed even in the first half of the season, but it would be nice to know by the end of it — because we can’t imagine Hetty retiring next year — what the team will look like going forward. Who will take over for Hetty? Who might join the team? (Rountree?) Who will stay? Who could go?
Hetty discusses her future retirement with the team
The team has accepted that some day, their operations manager is going to be saying goodbye to Ops. And while she’s had conversations with Callen and Nell about taking over, it’s time that everyone sits down as a team to talk about it.
Good news for Kensi and Deeks on the baby front
Even if next season just ends with Kensi pregnant or at some point during it, the couple decides to adopt, let’s see some real — and positive — progress made. Having kids was a point of contention for the two over a few seasons now, but last year saw them trying to have a baby.
The team's complete takedown of Argento
The team had the navy chief responsible for killing a sedated prisoner and civilians in Afghanistan in custody at the end of the finale, but Argento was so certain that he wouldn’t be convicted due to his connections in D.C. Mac (Catherine Bell) had worried about potential consequences for OSP as a result of the investigation, and rather than see our favorite agents in trouble again, let’s see them — especially for Sam, as it’s always personal for him when it involves SEALs — get a big win over Argento.
Nell returns
Nell wanted to quit after thinking she didn’t want to be an agent anymore (or even just stick to her work as a tech analyst in Ops). However, Hetty told her to use her vacation days to really think about it, and we just hope that after those are up, Nell has realized NCIS is where she belongs. It wouldn’t be the same without her!
Another JAG reunion
NCIS: LA gave us the JAG reunion we’ve been waiting for in the Season 10 finale and following fall’s premiere, but David James Elliott’s Harm wasn’t with Mac when she returned for “Code of Conduct.” Considering how long it took us to see the two of them in the same place in their previous appearances, we want more. With Mac part of the ongoing Argento storyline, she’s likely to return, but hopefully we’ll see Harm again soon — and the two of them will get back together after their post-JAG split.
An exciting — but close-ended — arc for the Russian threat
Anna’s (Bar Paly) freedom is tied to an ongoing mystery involving her former cellmate, Katya (Eve Harlow), which Season 12 will get into. And while we love ongoing arcs, we’re not quite ready for another years-long one like the mole hunt. Give us some intrigue with the spies, a good chase, some danger for characters we know and love, and definitive answers to wrap it all up in one season.
Ups and downs (but not too many) in Sam and Callen's relationships
Both Sam and Callen are entering Season 12 in relationships — the former with insurance broker Katherine (Moon Bloodgood) and the latter with Anna — and there of course needs to be some drama when it comes to romance. But considering how much Kensi and Deeks have been through over the years even before they got together, let’s give them a break. That being said, Sam and Callen have both suffered over the years as well, so let’s at least keep both their girlfriends alive.
Nell and Eric put a label on their relationship
The two determined that they jumped from being friends to living together and in a serious relationship a little too fast, and with her mother’s health problems, took a step back in Season 11. But we love seeing our meerkats in Ops together, so let’s see the two find their way back to each other sooner rather than later.
More Fatima in Ops and in the field
Like Nell, the newest team member excels with a tablet or gun in her hand (or in hand-to-hand combat). She’s fit in seamlessly with the team since her introduction, and it was great when Rahimi was promoted to series regular. Let’s keep seeing her in Ops and partnered up with one of the team (as much as we love her and Kensi, let’s see that continue to change) in the field.
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T
Another thing: my Season 12 wish list is a lot better then whatever THIS list is!! why? cuz I know what makes this show great!, and I also know, that putting up with this 'Hetty drought' the past 2 seasons (it may have been forced in Season 10 due to 'excruciating circumstances', but there was no excuse in Season 11!! no excuse!!) has been a nightmare, for me and so many other fans out there!!! I also know, that less Hetty wasn't the only problem with Season 11. So many episodes that felt like filler, no direction, too many useless red herrings that turned out to be false (again!!), seemingly no respect from the writers, (were they high on something this whole season?), too many unanswered questions that keep being dodged for no reason.
Really, there's literal no excuse that Season 12 can't in some way be better then whatever Season 11 was!! Just: Give Hetty the respect that she rightfully deserves, answer questions instead of dodging them, turn Nell back into the tough woman that she was so long ago, stop bringing up talk of someone possibly leaving (cuz we all know it'll never happen), actually have DIRECTION for the Season, quit with so many fillerish episodes (Hetty appears to never be in them anyways, so they're now dismal). If the writers are too stupid or chicken-ish to do any of these (especially the top wish), then they should just quit. cuz these past 2 seasons havn't been the NCIS LA that so many fans know and love, and that's a huge shame.
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T
Not sure how many of these I actually agree with. But here's my op: STOP with the d'mn talk about quitting!! it'll never happen, and myself along with so many other fans are sick and tired of the unneeded anxiety those stupid red herrings bring!!! (and don't we all know that this show is useless without Hetty already?????????)
Why wouldn't Nell return????!
And I still doubt Neric will actually put a 'label' on their relationship. why do they need a label?
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T
And 1 question: does the team REALLY know what Hetty wants to do????? I mean, they hardly see her, so, how would they know what she might want to do in the future??????
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G
I would love to see the end of Anna. I cannot stand her character.
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O
I agree
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O
NCIS:LA Is my Favorite Show To watch and I enjoy it Immensely every week. Hetty is the Boss and needs to given more air time in S.12. I prefer the original characters in action but I can see additional characters added in the mixture here snd there. However, whoever is added needs to have a personality comparable to the original cast. The reason this show works is the chrmistry between them all, the ups and downs. Plus there is usually excitement, danger, romance, mystery along with a little comedy added in for good measure. I would like to see Nate brought back into the series again. Overall I thoroughly Enjoy this Show. Thank you.
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R
A little off topic maybe, but I want to understand the reason for the drastic change in Nells wardrobe. Was it her choice, the writers or producers who thought she needed to look like a frumpy grandma? Not asking for a friend. Driving me crazy!
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T
Her choice. and her clothes are fine
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R
Ahh. So she goes from cute and stylish to dowdy and totally covered up and that is the only explanation you have? Lame
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R
Getty needs to be brought back in her role without her the show is not the same , Kensi looks like the Lone Ranger without dekes they belong together, and Neil should be back at ops with Hetty and Eric the show had a a lot of spark with all of them and of course the chemistry between Sam and Callen can’t be beat I love this show please don’t split this team up
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T
My actual wish list for Season 12 has gotten too long to fully list (it's up to 39 wishes now), but I'll list some of them:
1, Answering Hetty related questions MUST be top priority!!! along with giving her more respect. She's NOT some random passer by, she's the BOSS!!! she's the team's most important member, and they're lost without her!!
2, Other Hetty related wishes I have include: Show her badass side more, give her happiness again, give her more moments with the team, give her centric episodes.
3, Deeks M, or Beale E or Jones N.
4, More Neric
5, Bring back Nate!
6, Get rid of the cast change red herrings and make sure they never return
7, Aside from a few things about S11, pretend S11 never happened and have a real fresh start (heaven knows we've been asking for one since Season 10 ended!!)
8, One of the cast members should write or direct an episode .
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O
Personally, I can't stand Fatima. They've pushed her on us and in doing so, they've split up the airtime of Kensi & Deeks together. Fatima whines too much. She was on the job for a couple of weeks and already complaining about how tired, stressed & worn out she is - and she complains to people who've worked their butts off for years and years.
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G
I couldn’t agree more. Thank you
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B
I totally agree with you regarding Sam's new relationship with Katherine. They have absolutely NO chemistry at all and I hope the writers will pair him with Agent DeChamps this season.
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P
I agree, I am not fond of Fatima. I wish that the writers would remember what they put in the past story lines. Callen is suppose to speak several languages but from one story line he can speak Romanian and the next he can't. They forget what the story line was in one season and in another they change the story how Callen and Sam met. Example Partners and Tuhon.Deeks needs a hair cut and his hair looks filthy every week. He has started playing a complete idiot and Kensi has changed and I don't like her jokes. I don't want Nell to take over for Hetty. I like NCISLA but last season was a mess. I have all 11 seasons on DVD and all 11 seasons taped on my DVR. I watch them everyday when they aren't on directv. I really like the show. Just quit changing them so drastic. I like action not lovie dovie, not much action any more and too many darn commercials. The show has about 20 minutes of commercials It messes up the story line and when you cut a scene out it's obvious.
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C
I think they could handle Kensi being pregnant and not have the show end permanently after this season, by having Kensi become assistant operations manager (having Hetty formally train her as the heir for when Hetty finally decides to retire.)
1) The team trusts Kensi with their lives (literally, she is their regular overwatch.)
2) She seems to have some understanding of Eric and Nell's geek-speak.
3) Overseeing the mission from ops isn't quite the same as serving as overwatch on the ground, but some of the same skills in seeing the big picture could translate over.
4) Didn't Owen Granger at one point talk to her (or talk to Hetty about her) about Kensi's career, stating that she could rise to the assistant director position? Having "operations manager, NCIS Office of Special Projects" on your resume would certainly help in achieving that position if she was interested in the future.
Having her in a role other than agent in the field when or if she became pregnant would have some benefits:
1) If she and Deeks were both in the field, I have to think he would be more focused on her (and their unborn child's) safety, thus potentially leading to a suspect escaping or another member of the team (perhaps Deeks himself) getting hurt.
2) Beyond a certain point, it would be more difficult and/or dangerous for her (and the baby) for her to do field work.
I would like to see them welcome Owen Domenic Deeks into the world. [Yes, I know what the initials spell.]
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P
I thought Sam had a wife and 2 kids, what happened there or have I missed some episodes?
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O
He does have 2 kids, but his wife, Michelle, was killed a couple of seasons ago.
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B
His wife died and the kids are in boarding school, just like Leon Vance on NCIS.
Convenient though cold blooded and unbelievable.
Bad writing, and doing it twice is ridiculous.
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B
I think a child for Kensi and Deeks would be fine...as long as the show ends permanently after this season. Otherwise a child will take one or both of them out of the field and both their characters are important to the team!
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C
I hope there will be no Densi baby until the series ends. A baby will surely end their working partnership.
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C
It was the characters wish. They work really long days I would want to be comfortable too
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C
What’s going on with Nell?? And who’s dressing her?? Maybe time for her to leave
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G
The only thing that would improve the show for me is to get rid of Eric. The writers have made him so annoying. Whenever he and Nell start talking about non-case-related things, I hit the mute button.
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R
NO more baby talk and LESS Densi angst. That couple is boring, boring, boring! Not a fan of Katherine (totally unbelievable character and doesn't fit Sam AT ALL). More Anna with Callen (the only interesting couple) and Arkady (always fun). I love Linda, but don't care if Hetty stays or goes at this point (the "she's planning on retiring" is old). On NCIS Gibbs retired and came back (That's why NCIS is so much better - the writers take more chances.) Nell whines too much, Eric has turned into a clown, and Deeks is just annoying. The humor used to be good but is sophomoric now.
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C
I hope they cancel it. Sick and tired of the whole show, especially Sam and Callen. Show is boring as hell!
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R
Don’t watch it!
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C
I agree don't watch it but I love the show
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O
Why do you watch it?
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