The 14-season journey of “NCIS: Los Angeles” came to a thrilling conclusion on CBS, offering fans a satisfying and emotional farewell. As the series closed, Sam (LL Cool J) and Callen (Chris O’Donnell) were given a hopeful and action-packed sendoff, leaving the door open for potential future reunions on streaming platforms like Paramount+. Callen’s storyline reached a heartwarming conclusion with his spontaneous city hall wedding to Anna (Bar Paly), while Kensi (Daniela Ruah) and Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen) received joyful news — they were expecting a baby.
Though Hetty (Linda Hunt) was not physically present in the finale, her influence was felt, as she sent Callen a letter after the wedding, inviting him and Sam to take a “small side job” in Morocco before heading to Greece for their honeymoon. The duo reunited with familiar faces from the past, including intelligence analyst Nell Jones (Renée Felice Smith), who hadn’t appeared since season 10, as well as Sabatino (Erik Palladino) and Nate (Peter Cambor). Together, they embarked on a mission to find Hetty in the heart of Morocco, setting the stage for potential future adventures.
The finale offered emotional moments between Sam and Callen, who shared deep gratitude for each other after years of close partnership. Sam expressed his unwavering support for Callen, acknowledging their long journey together. As the series wrapped, the team behind “NCIS: LA” took the opportunity to deliver a two-part finale that fans had been eagerly awaiting, promising an ending that honored these beloved characters.
With CBS’s decision not to renew the series earlier in the year, the writers had time to craft a fitting conclusion, making sure the finale felt both conclusive and full of promise. “NCIS: Los Angeles” ends as one of CBS’s longest-running primetime scripted shows, tied for fifth place with classic series like Gunsmoke and Lassie. The future of the franchise looks bright, with the revival of other long-running shows like Criminal Minds suggesting that the world of NCIS may continue to expand.
What sets “NCIS: LA” apart from other procedural dramas is its rare distinction of maintaining its original leads throughout its entire run. Both LL Cool J and Chris O’Donnell have spoken about their strong commitment to the series, which reached a significant milestone with its 300th episode in May 2022. Fans will surely remember the series not only for its action-packed stories but also for its deep emotional connections between the characters.
