Warning! Spoilers for NCIS season 22, episode 18Hetty Lange has not appeared in the franchise for over two years, but NCIS season 22 just made the first move toward solving her disappearance. Linda Hunt's Hetty Lange was a major character in NCIS: Los Angeles but her reduced appearances on the show led to major questions about what happened to her. Fortunately, NCIS revealed good news about her whereabouts.
When Hetty did not appear in its finale, CBS' decision to cancel NCIS: Los Angeles season 15 removed any possibility for her to receive a proper send-off. Her literal disappearance meant there were rumors of what she was up to, but nothing concrete. While NCIS season 22 has teased what other satellite offices have been up to, the show has been silent on the whereabouts of Hetty, until now.
Hetty's Mystery Fate In NCIS: Los Angeles Explained
Hetty Left NCIS: Los Angeles To Work On Other Projects
The last time Linda Hunt's Hetty appeared physically in NCIS: Los Angeles, she was working overseas in Syria. The news came as a result of the start of her reduced workload on the show but, stylistically, it lined up with her character's ambition and passion for mystery. Hetty continued to be referenced and mentioned while she was off-screen, but it was not until the NCIS: Los Angeles season 14 finale that the show revealed some more information about what she had been up to.
While she did not appear physically, the series finale revealed that Hetty was still an active agent working on mission trips for the greater good. The finale even offered a personal touch in place of Hunt's physical appearance by revealing that Hetty had sent Callen a letter. In it, she congratulated him and Anna on their wedding, while she also invited Callen and Sam on a small mission. Her activities were never entirely clear, but the NCIS: Los Angeles finale ended with Hetty still working.
NCIS Season 22, Episode 18 Offers The Clearest Update About Hetty
Sam Hanna Gives Some Insight Into What Hetty Has Been Up To
NCIS season 22, episode 18 featured the return of LL Cool J to the franchise, and with Sam's appearance came some great news about some beloved past NCIS characters. Towards the end of the episode, Vance invites him to rejoin NCIS, telling him he is always welcome to return. However, Sam politely declines and says he has some personal projects to finish first. When Vance asks him if this relates to the rumors of Hetty's work at the DMZ, Sam answers that it is safer not to know.
The brief reference to Hunt's character by Vance implies that Hetty is currently working on a project that requires top-secret clearance. Sam knows what she is doing because they are former teammates, but if Vance knows, that means it is something serious. Mentioning her also means that she is still actively working and involved with her projects, rather than sitting around the sidelines. Hetty's ongoing passion fits with her character. She is an unstoppable force and NCIS season 22 just re-confirmed that.
While Hetty's mention still does not fully explain what she has been up to or where she has been all this time, it does help explain her disappearance. The mysterious circumstances surrounding her departure also align heavily with her character. Hetty has always been surrounded by an air of mystery, and it is fitting that her disappearance retains the same characteristics.
NCIS Season 22 Debunks The Biggest Theories About Hetty
Hetty Lange Is Alive And Well
After not hearing anything about Hetty in the NCIS franchise for the past couple of years, her character's circumstances became worrying. However, NCIS season 22 has debunked its biggest, and scariest, theories about Hetty's fate in NCIS: Los Angeles. One of the biggest theories was that she had passed away, which makes sense for a couple of reasons. Firstly, she has been on the ground for a while now, and secondly, she is older than the usual field agents. When NCIS failed to give an update about Hetty in the earlier part of season 22, the worst theories started to hold more substance.
Fortunately, Sam's update in NCIS season 22, episode 18 has revealed that Hetty is still working and doing better than ever. While she may no longer be the active Operations Manager for the Office of Special Projects, it is clear that she still cares deeply about helping others with her unique blend of intelligence skills and experience. Her dedicated work even means she might return to NCIS one day, even if it is through another letter.
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