LL Cool J’s legendary agent is back — and with him come revelations that rock the NCIS universe, from Callen’s future to Hetty’s mysterious trail behind enemy lines.
A Hero Returns — But Not the Way You Remember Him
For fans who’ve missed seeing Sam Hanna (LL Cool J) since the emotional finale of NCIS: Los Angeles, his return to the flagship NCIS series in Season 22’s Episode 18, “After the Storm,” is nothing short of electrifying. But this isn’t the same Sam we knew from LA’s sun-soaked streets — this is a man who’s been changed by loss, haunted by what he’s left behind, and driven by something deeper than duty.
When the episode opens, Sam isn’t chasing criminals or breaking down doors. He’s traded his tactical gear for a tailored suit and now walks the marbled halls of Washington, D.C., serving as a behind-the-scenes voice for the men and women who serve. After his elite NCIS team was killed in Hawai‘i, Sam took a leave of absence — seeking peace, perspective, and perhaps penance.
“It’s a course correction,” he tells Agent Jessica Knight (Katrina Law), who recognizes the same quiet grief that once shadowed her after losing her REACT team. Sam explains that he’s now working to make politicians understand the real sacrifices made by the people they send into harm’s way. “I wanted to be a voice for the soldiers they forget,” he says, eyes heavy with conviction.
A Life Beyond the Badge — and a Nod to the Music
Of course, no NCIS cameo featuring LL Cool J would be complete without a wink to his real-life musical legacy. In one of the episode’s most delightful moments, Dr. Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) reveals that he and Sam have a standing weekend karaoke night — with Palmer rapping and Sam “singing a little.”
It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it gem that humanizes Sam like never before — a man who’s lost everything but still finds joy in music, family, and friendship.
Callen, Anna… and a “New Pup” on the Way
The episode also drops the update every NCIS: LA fan has been waiting for. When Knight jokes that Sam’s solitary new gig sounds like something his old partner G. Callen (Chris O’Donnell) would do, Sam laughs — and drops a bombshell.
Callen’s not a lone wolf anymore.
He and Anna (Bar Paly) are expecting a baby.
Fans who’ve followed their turbulent relationship since the early LA days couldn’t have hoped for a more heartwarming update. It’s the kind of long-overdue happiness that gives the NCIS universe a much-needed touch of light — proof that even in a franchise defined by loss, love still finds a way to endure.
Hetty’s Shadow Looms Once Again
But happiness is fleeting in the world of NCIS, and before long, darker threads begin to unravel.
By the end of the episode, Sam makes another bold move — he quits his cushy D.C. job. “Seeing your team, working shoulder to shoulder with them, reminded me how much I missed it,” he tells Director Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll).
Vance, ever the watchful leader, nods knowingly. “You always were a team player, like any good SEAL,” he says — before dropping a line that sends chills down the spine of every NCIS: LA fan.
“Wouldn’t have anything to do with Hetty, would it? I’ve heard rumors she’s been spotted on the wrong side of the DMZ.”
Sam doesn’t confirm or deny — just smirks and says, “Better you don’t know.”
That single moment reopens one of the franchise’s most haunting mysteries: What really happened to Hetty Lange (Linda Hunt)? Her story was left unresolved when NCIS: LA ended, and now it seems her shadow may once again pull Sam back into danger.
From Bureaucrats to Bloodshed
Meanwhile, Sam’s reappearance isn’t just about personal closure — it’s about justice.
When a string of veterans are murdered and one of the suspects repeatedly mentions Sam’s badge number, he’s pulled into a case that hits far too close to home. The man in custody isn’t who he claims to be — and before long, Sam discovers that an old friend has been framed while trying to expose a private military company gone rogue.
The trail leads to Iron Horizon, a shadowy organization exploiting veterans for profit and forcing them into morally corrupt missions around the world. In a gripping third act, Sam joins forces with McGee (Sean Murray), Torres (Wilmer Valderrama), and Knight to take on Russian mercenaries in a brutal firefight that reminds viewers just how formidable the ex-SEAL still is.
By the time the dust settles, Sam is bloodied but unbroken — and more certain than ever that his place isn’t behind a desk.
The Future of NCIS: Sam Hanna
Sam’s final words to McGee — “See you around” — carry the weight of a promise. It’s not goodbye; it’s to be continued.
And that’s exactly how the episode feels: a bridge between the past and what could be a thrilling new chapter. Whether it’s a multi-episode arc, a future spin-off, or an unexpected reunion with Hetty, NCIS seems to be hinting that Sam Hanna’s story is far from over.
A Universe Reignited
With one masterful episode, NCIS has managed to do something rare for a 22-season series: expand its universe while honoring its legacy.
Sam’s reintroduction ties together the threads of NCIS, NCIS: LA, and NCIS: Hawai‘i — a living tribute to how interconnected this world has become. From Callen’s new chapter to Hetty’s possible return, “After the Storm” isn’t just another crossover cameo. It’s a statement: the NCIS legacy burns brighter than ever.
From the Hill to the Front Lines — LL Cool J’s Return as Sam Hanna Brings Heart, Fire, and Hope Back to NCIS.
