The NCIS: Los Angeles Season 9 finale, consisting of the episodes “A Line in the Sand” and “Ninguna Salida,” delivered a thrilling and emotionally charged cliffhanger that left fans on the edge of their seats. With the fate of the OSP team hanging in the balance, the finale was a major turning point, not only in terms of action but also regarding the interpersonal dynamics within the team. Here’s a breakdown of the key moments that led to the dramatic conclusion, and an explanation from the showrunner about why it ended on such a suspenseful note.
Major Events in the Season 9 Finale
- Mosley Fires Deeks:
The season-long tension between Marty Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen) and Shay Mosley (Nia Long) reaches a boiling point in the finale. Mosley, who has been openly critical of OSP’s unorthodox methods, fires Deeks in front of the entire team. The reason is partly personal, as she’s frustrated with Deeks’ insubordination, but it’s also rooted in her desperation to get her son Derrick back after he is kidnapped. Deeks, frustrated with Mosley’s actions and the way she’s undermining the team, doesn’t argue and storms out. This marks a major fracture within the OSP team. - Deeks and Kensi Call Off Their Wedding:
Deeks’ frustration is mirrored by Kensi Blye (Daniela Ruah), who is caught in the middle. As Deeks walks out, Kensi follows him and tries to convince him to go back inside and apologize. However, their conversation quickly spirals into a much deeper discussion about their future. Deeks presses Kensi on when they will stop risking their lives in this dangerous line of work. Kensi, unable to give a clear answer, causes Deeks to question whether they should go ahead with their wedding. The two ultimately call off the wedding, marking a major emotional blow for both characters and signaling that their relationship is at a crossroads. - The Mexico Mission:
The OSP team learns that Derrick has been taken to Mexico, and Mosley, despite her earlier condemnation of their methods, leads the team on an off-the-books mission to retrieve him. Deeks, although fired, decides to join the mission anyway, feeling that his team still needs him. This sets the stage for a high-stakes rescue operation as the team races against time to save Mosley’s son. - The Cliffhanger:
After successfully locating Derrick, the team comes under heavy fire from Spencer Williams’ (Derrick’s father and an international arms dealer) men. Despite the dangerous situation, Deeks and Kensi manage to find Derrick and bring him to Mosley, who has just arrived by helicopter. The tension rises as Mosley orders them to board the helicopter and leave, but Deeks refuses to leave without finding Sam (LL Cool J) and Callen (Chris O’Donnell), who are still missing. Kensi also refuses to leave her teammates behind. The team eventually reunites in an SUV, making a break for it, but just as it seems they’ll escape, a rocket strikes their vehicle, flipping it and knocking everyone unconscious. The car is seen engulfed in flames, leaving the fates of the team members uncertain.
Why the Finale Ended on a Cliffhanger: Insights from Showrunner R. Scott Gemmill
In an interview following the episode’s airing, showrunner R. Scott Gemmill explained the reasoning behind the dramatic cliffhanger. He revealed that the decision to end the season with a massive unresolved situation was partly influenced by the uncertainty surrounding contract negotiations for the show’s future. Gemmill candidly admitted that the fate of several characters had not been finalized at the time, and so the writers crafted a conclusion that allowed for flexibility.
By putting all the characters in perilous situations — with Deeks and Kensi potentially fatally injured in the car explosion, Hidoko (Andrea Bordeaux) missing, and Mosley and Derrick still en route to safety — Gemmill and the team could leave the door open for potential changes in the cast or direction for the following season. This cliffhanger, while shocking, was therefore not just a plot device, but also a strategic narrative choice in response to behind-the-scenes uncertainties.
The Real Meaning Behind the Cliffhanger
Although the cliffhanger is thrilling and suspenseful, it also represents a culmination of the season’s themes: broken relationships and fractures within the OSP team. By the end of Season 9, the once cohesive unit has been torn apart. Deeks and Mosley are at odds, Kensi and Deeks are questioning their future together, and even the team’s camaraderie is strained as everyone deals with their personal and professional frustrations.
This sense of disintegration within the team is emphasized in the finale. With the team scattered, separated physically and emotionally, the cliffhanger captures the stakes at their highest. Not only is the team in physical danger, but their emotional connections have been tested to their limits, making their fate feel even more uncertain.
Conclusion: A Bold and Uncertain Future
The NCIS: Los Angeles Season 9 finale is a daring cliffhanger that not only serves as a thrilling action-packed conclusion but also underscores the emotional complexity of the characters. The strained relationships, particularly between Deeks and Mosley, and the unresolved issues between Deeks and Kensi, set the stage for an uncertain future for the OSP team. As showrunner R. Scott Gemmill noted, the finale was also shaped by practical considerations behind the scenes, with the cliffhanger providing a way to address potential changes in the cast due to contract negotiations.
Ultimately, the ending left fans eagerly awaiting the resolution of these tense storylines in Season 10, while also highlighting how the team’s dynamics could be forever altered by the events of the finale.
