One thing that has made each of the NCIS series unique is that while they are all part of the same organization each show has a different feel and a different focus. The original series focused mainly on murder investigations. NCIS: LOS ANGELES on the other hand has always tended to focus more on terrorist threats. This holds true for season 12.
The core group has whittled down and added new characters. Mainstays G. Callan (Chris O’Donnell) is still in charge and still dealing with issues from his past and with his longtime love Anna Kolchek (Bar Paly) whose life remains endangered by an ex-Russian agent. Sam Hanna (LL Cool J) has put his love life on hold and taken up residence on his boat, still concerned about his children. Kensi Blye (Daniella Ruah) and Marty Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen) are now happily married and working towards having a child. But Nell (Renee Felice Smith) has been offered a chance to leave and must decide between that and leading the team in Hetty’s place. Lastly Eric (Barret Foa) has moved to greener and more financially secure futures though he does appear now and then since his new venture is a program sold to the Defense Department. The past season saw the addition of two new members to the team. Special Agent Fatima Namazi (Medalion Rahimi) is the new agent handling ops but sometimes going out into the field. And the newest member is Devin Roundtree (Caleb Castille).
What makes season 12 different than the last season is the addition of Admiral Hollace Kilbride (Gerald McCraney). Kilbride has been around in the past but mostly to bust the chops of everyone on the team as well as their boss Henrietta “Hetty” Lange (Linda Hunt). A few years ago Hunt was hit by a car in real life and her time on the series was limited. She was replaced once but this season her “temporary” replacement in the form of Kilbride adds something different to the mix. A stickler for protocol and one to forcefully let his opinions be known, a new side has been added to the character, one that show he does indeed possess some moments of compassion and feelings for the team.
A running thread through this season pops up in episode in the fifth episode. Kensi comes face to face with an imprisoned David Kessler (Frank Military), a psychopath she helped put away years ago who has become obsessed with her. She must do so to gain necessary intelligence but their meeting isn’t any less disturbing. It doesn’t get any less so when Kessler calls in a favor to the President of the United States himself and is released. Now a free man, a man who has told Kensi he will come looking for her, the team does all the can to protect her. Semi-spoiler alert: He isn’t caught and the search for Kessler extends into season 13.
Traitors, people trying to sell military intelligence material, thieves and the usual cast of bad guys continue to be the main focus of the group. But plenty is thrown into the mix to keep you coming back for more. A Russian jet is found and taken in along with its pilots in the season opener. Then later in the season when G goes to question the pilot, he’s accused of being a double agent working for the Russians. Sam’s daughter is kidnapped and the team must rescue her. Hetty pops in now and then but doesn’t come back completely. And Anna plays into several episodes which show the danger she is in.
In spite of the fact that the show is in its twelfth season it doesn’t appear to be slowing down any. The action is still some of the most you’ll find on a TV series. The acting is superb with each character well defined and played by each of the stars. These are characters that are not just involved in adventures but are thought out enough for viewers to care about them as well. Their heartbreaks are ours. We want what’s best to happen for each of them. That makes for more dramatic viewing. And as long as they keep it up we’ll keep watching and caring.
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