As the sun sets on the long-running hit NCIS: Los Angeles, the penultimate episode of Season 14, titled “New Beginnings”, delivers a powerful blend of high-stakes drama and personal milestones, setting the stage for the highly anticipated series finale. With undercover missions, heartfelt family moments, and a long-awaited wedding in the works, the NCIS team is going out the way it came in — with grit, loyalty, and heart.
Mission Critical: The Search for a Missing ATF Agent
The central case of the hour sees the NCIS team pulled into an urgent investigation when an ATF agent vanishes under mysterious circumstances. The Bureau suspects the disappearance may be linked to stolen military-grade weapons — a development that prompts a joint task force effort to recover the agent and neutralize the threat.
With time running out and tensions running high, Callen (Chris O’Donnell), Sam (LL COOL J), and the rest of the elite team dive into the covert world of arms trafficking, leaning on their years of field experience and unbreakable trust.
Love on the Horizon: Callen & Anna Plan Their Future
Away from the chaos of the investigation, romance quietly blooms. Callen and Anna (Bar Paly) continue their wedding preparations, inching closer to their long-overdue happily ever after. Their scenes offer a welcomed emotional counterbalance to the intense fieldwork, as fans get to witness these two finally making concrete plans for their future after seasons of uncertainty.
Family Matters: A New Chapter for the Rountrees
Meanwhile, Devin Rountree (Caleb Castille) finds himself balancing national security with family pride as his younger sister interviews for medical school. Her journey represents a touching subplot — one that adds another layer of humanity to the adrenaline-fueled drama and highlights the support system behind the team’s tireless efforts.
Sam Encourages a Brave Step Forward
On the personal front, Sam Hanna faces one of his most emotional challenges yet. As he encourages his ailing father to participate in a new drug trial, viewers see a more vulnerable side to the stoic former Navy SEAL. It’s a poignant reminder that even the toughest heroes must sometimes lean on faith, hope, and family.
Directed by a Veteran, Written With Heart
Episode 20, co-written by NCIS: LA veterans Kyle Harimoto and R. Scott Gemmill, is directed by John Peter Kousakis, who brings his signature cinematic eye to the action-packed yet emotionally charged hour. As the first part of the two-episode series finale, “New Beginnings” is both a love letter to the show’s legacy and a tribute to the bond this team has built over 14 seasons.
A Stellar Ensemble Cast
Returning for this landmark episode are all your fan favorites:
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Chris O’Donnell as Special Agent G. Callen
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LL COOL J as Special Agent Sam Hanna
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Daniela Ruah as Kensi Blye
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Eric Christian Olsen as Marty Deeks
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Medalion Rahimi as Fatima Namazi
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Caleb Castille as Devin Rountree
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Gerald McRaney as Admiral Hollace Kilbride
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Natalia Del Riego as Rosa Reyes
As always, Linda Hunt’s Hetty remains a presence felt even in absence, with the shadow of her legacy looming over the team she helped mold.
An Emotional Beginning to the End
NCIS: Los Angeles launched in 2009 as the first spin-off of the original NCIS, and has since carved out its own legacy with a compelling mix of action, character-driven drama, and global intrigue. “New Beginnings” signals not just the end of another mission — but the start of a new chapter for the characters fans have grown to love.
The journey concludes in the final episode next week, but for now, Episode 20 serves as a reminder of what made NCIS: LA a staple of network television for nearly a decade and a half: its heart, its heroes, and its unwavering commitment to family — both the one you’re born into and the one you choose.
