“Code of Conduct” wasn’t originally planned to be the NCIS: Los Angeles Season 11 finale, but it certainly worked as one.
After the 22 episodes of the season that we got, most members of the team — including a character who could be joining the squad — were left with decisions to make about their futures, both past and present. And Hetty’s (Linda Hunt) eventual retirement is something that would affect everyone.
Also, Kensi (Daniela Ruah) and Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen) have quite a bit to think about when it comes to their family and careers, Nell (Renée Felice Smith) has to figure out what she wants to do, and surprisingly, Callen (Chris O’Donnell) may be in a position to settle down.
Scroll down to see which characters have decisions to make in Season 12.
NCIS: Los Angeles, Season 12, Fall 2020, CBS
Sam Hanna (LL Cool J)
Right now, Sam’s personal life seems to be set; sure, there’s always a bit of a question as to whether or not he can trust Katherine (Moon Bloodgood), but last we saw them, they were doing well. Will that continue? We’ll have to see.
And while the Season 11 finale set him up to face off against Argento (Juan Riedinger), that is in limbo.
But what about the team itself? He hasn’t been brought up as a possible Hetty replacement — still, it’s always a possibility — but if, say, Callen does take over, that would affect him as well. Will his approach to the job be different? Will he continue to scout out younger agents to possibly join the team like Rountree (Caleb Castille)?
G. Callen (Chris O’Donnell)
Could it be that Callen is actually going to settle down with Anna (Bar Paly)? They seem to be on that path, though both their pasts could rear their ugly heads and make things difficult. It does seem like any decisions on that front may be tied to just how serious they get and what the future may hold for them as a couple.
On the professional front, Callen is obviously a possible candidate to take over once Hetty (eventually) retires. He’s against it, but doing so does fit Sam’s plan. Callen may have to make a decision sooner rather than later, especially depending on who else might come on board to take her position.
Kensi Blye (Daniela Ruah) & Marty Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen)
Having kids was a point of conflict for the couple before they got married, but in Season 11, they decided they were ready. Sadly, that endeavor hasn’t been an easy one for them. But once they do have a baby, they’re going to have to figure out what they want to do about their jobs; it is a dangerous line of work, and, in the past, they’ve talked about a future where they’re not field agents. Season 12 could see them figure out what their professional futures might look like and how big of a role the bar might play.
Eric Beale (Barrett Foa)
Eric’s received plenty of job offers in the past, but he’s always chosen to stay at NCIS. (He and Nell did briefly consider moving to San Francisco last year.) That could change, considering how long he’s been at the agency and the fact that younger agents are coming in.
On the personal side, he and Nell finally got together, only to take a step back in their relationship early in Season 11. He pretty much went along with what Nell wanted to do, but her time away from the team could lead to him making his own decision about his future on all fronts.
Nell Jones (Renée Felice Smith)
Nell was ready to quit NCIS altogether, until Hetty insisted she use her vacation days to think. Will she return to the team for Season 12? And if she does, will it be in the same role or might she have something else in mind? It’s possible she could end up taking over after Hetty’s retirement — that was the original plan.
And how might her decisions about her career affect her relationship with Eric?
Devin Rountree (Caleb Castille)
The team met Rountree while he was working with the FBI and undercover, and since then, they’ve pretty much stolen him as one of their own. His first cases with the team haven’t been easy — he was nearly blown up and then almost beheaded — but when Sam and Callen offered him a place with them, those near-death experiences weren’t what made him hesitate. Instead, he’s noticed that they’re like a family, and so he’s taking the time to think if it’s one he wants to join. Will he?
Hetty Lange (Linda Hunt)
Hetty has been in and out of the office of late, but the team can obviously still count on her. They’ve begun talking about Hetty’s eventual retirement, and everyone knows it will be up to her to decide when that will be. Will she do so in Season 12, even if she just sets a date far in the future?
