If you’ve been watching NCIS: Hawai’i religiously, then you already know something felt… off during Season 2. Something — or rather someone — was missing. Lucy Tara. And let’s be real: her absence didn’t just create a void in the cast, it completely flipped Kate Whistler’s storyline on its head. Let’s dive into the full breakdown of why Lucy’s vanishing act had such a massive ripple effect — not just on the story, but on the fans, the emotional beats, and the entire rhythm of the show.
In NCIS: Hawai’i Season 2, the powers that be were forced to write Lucy out for several episodes due to the actor having scheduling conflicts. In the show, Lucy took a position as Special Agent Afloat, which had her out at sea for several weeks, leaving behind her life in Hawai’i. (Despite her fear of water, considering the situation was outside the writers’ control, we’ll give them credit for pulling together a meaningful temporary exit for Lucy.) Lucy’s absence was felt on every level, and when she did return, it didn’t feel like there was enough of a spotlight on the character considering how long she had been gone. There was one episode that split focus between Hawai’i and Lucy’s new life, where Lucy solved a case on board the ship where she was stationed, and then her return came about unexpectedly. Afterward, she quickly got back in step with everyone.
After being gone for eight episodes, it didn’t feel like enough time was spent with the character to “make up” for her time away, though it’s possible this was due to continuing scheduling conflicts. While colleague Jesse’s primary focus is his role on the team, Lucy’s has been fairly split between her job and her love life — neither of which felt fully fulfilling upon her return. There didn’t feel to be enough exploration of how Lucy’s absence really impacted those she left behind, nor how being gone for so long and confronting her worst fear changed Lucy herself. There was a little bit of exploration here, sure, but not nearly enough.
Meanwhile, Kate remained in touch with the team and helped them out on several occasions, allowing her to become even more entrenched in this chosen family than she was before. However, her role and story suffered somewhat because of Lucy’s diminished presence. Her primary focus is (more often than not) her relationship with Lucy, and this was just suddenly cut out of the show for nearly a third of the season. So, it simply didn’t feel the same with Kate without Lucy’s presence. Kate didn’t have much of a personal story with Lucy out of the picture, even though it was nice to see her continue to bond with the team and prove her connection with them is not solely due to her relationship with Lucy. It further increased her relevance, on her own, to the show, ultimately building Jane’s unwavering trust in her when Jane needed help in the two-part finale of Season 2. Nonetheless, until Lucy returned to our screens, the series lost some of its charm, especially as Kate and Lucy’s romance is the only romance we’re seeing.
Lucy’s disappearance didn’t just affect the episodes she missed — it reshaped the season. It left emotional threads untied, sidelined Kate’s development, and shook the foundation of a fan-favorite couple. This wasn’t just about one character going away. It was about what happens when heart, chemistry, and representation are taken off the screen. Here’s hoping NCIS: Hawai’i gets it right in Season 3 — because the fans are watching, and they care.
