‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ Series Finale: Why the Showrunner Left One Storyline Open
The series finale of NCIS: Los Angeles was largely a celebration, delivering on its promise of a “happily ever after” for the core team. From Callen and Anna’s impromptu wedding to Kensi and Deeks’ joyous baby news, the ending aimed to provide a sense of closure and optimism for the beloved characters. However, eagle-eyed viewers noticed that one significant storyline was intentionally left unresolved: the fate of Hetty Lange, the enigmatic and much-missed Operations Manager played by Linda Hunt. Showrunner R. Scott Gemmill has since shed light on this deliberate choice, explaining the strategic reasons behind leaving Hetty’s story open-ended.
A Finale Focused on Family and Future
The primary goal of the NCIS: Los Angeles series finale was to provide a satisfying conclusion for the core team and their personal journeys. After fourteen seasons of facing perilous missions and navigating complex relationships, the final episodes focused on celebrating their bonds and offering a glimpse into their hopeful futures. Callen finally found his family, Sam embraced new possibilities, and Kensi and Deeks embarked on the adventure of parenthood. In this context, tying up every single loose end, particularly one as layered and unpredictable as Hetty’s, would have potentially detracted from the emotional focus on the central team.
The Lingering Question: Where Was Hetty?
Linda Hunt, due to health reasons, had a reduced presence in the later seasons of NCIS: Los Angeles. While her spirit and influence were consistently felt through mentions and occasional appearances via video calls, her physical absence from the finale was noticeable. The storyline involving Hetty often hinted at her involvement in clandestine operations and her vast network of contacts. The finale acknowledged her absence but deliberately refrained from providing a definitive answer to her current whereabouts or immediate future.
The Showrunner’s Intentional Choice: Leaving the Door Open
R. Scott Gemmill explained that the decision to leave Hetty’s storyline open was a conscious one, driven by several key factors:
Honoring Linda Hunt’s Legacy and Potential Return
Gemmill emphasized the deep respect and affection the entire cast and crew have for Linda Hunt and the iconic character of Hetty Lange. Leaving her storyline unresolved was a way to honor her significant contribution to the show and to keep the door open for a potential future return, should Hunt’s circumstances allow. Providing a definitive ending for Hetty might have felt like closing that door permanently, something the showrunner was hesitant to do.
Maintaining the Mystery and Intrigue of Hetty
Hetty Lange has always been a character shrouded in mystery, operating in the shadows and possessing a unique ability to appear and disappear as needed. Leaving her fate somewhat ambiguous in the finale stayed true to this core aspect of her persona. Providing a neat and tidy conclusion might have felt out of character for the enigmatic Operations Manager. The open-endedness allows viewers to imagine Hetty continuing her clandestine activities in some corner of the world, always a step ahead.
Focusing on the Core Team’s Emotional Closure
As mentioned earlier, the primary focus of the finale was to provide emotional closure for Callen, Sam, Kensi, and Deeks. Delving into the specifics of Hetty’s current mission or whereabouts might have shifted the narrative focus away from these central characters and their long-awaited happy endings. By keeping Hetty’s storyline open, the finale could prioritize the emotional arcs of the core team while still acknowledging Hetty’s enduring presence in their lives.
The Possibility of Future Installments or Spin-offs
While NCIS: Los Angeles has concluded, the NCIS universe has a history of expansion and potential revivals. By leaving Hetty’s storyline unresolved, the showrunner strategically kept the possibility alive for Hunt to potentially reprise her role in a future NCIS project, whether it be a guest appearance in another spin-off or even a standalone venture. This open ending serves as a narrative thread that could be picked up again down the line.
Hints of Hetty’s Continued Influence
Despite her physical absence, the finale did offer subtle reminders of Hetty’s continued influence on the team. Her name was mentioned, and her presence was felt through the lessons she had imparted and the bonds she had helped forge. The final moments of the finale even included a hint of a potential future communication from Hetty, suggesting that she was still out there, watching over her team in her own unique way. This subtle nod provided a sense of comfort to fans, assuring them that Hetty’s impact on the lives of Callen, Sam, Kensi, and Deeks would endure.
Fan Reaction to the Open Ending
The decision to leave Hetty’s storyline open has been met with a mixed but largely understanding response from fans. While some expressed disappointment at not getting a definitive answer about her fate, many appreciated the showrunner’s reasoning, particularly the desire to honor Linda Hunt and keep the possibility of a future return alive. The ambiguity surrounding Hetty’s whereabouts also sparked fan theories and discussions about what she might be up to, keeping her character relevant in the minds of viewers even after the series finale.
Conclusion: A Deliberate Ambiguity for a Beloved Character
The NCIS: Los Angeles series finale masterfully balanced providing satisfying conclusions for its core team while strategically leaving one significant storyline open: the fate of Hetty Lange. Showrunner R. Scott Gemmill’s explanation highlights the deep respect for Linda Hunt, the desire to maintain the character’s enigmatic nature, the focus on the central team’s emotional closure, and the potential for future appearances within the NCIS universe. By choosing deliberate ambiguity over a definitive ending for Hetty, the showrunner honored a beloved character and kept a cherished door slightly ajar, leaving a lingering sense of possibility in the hearts of fans. While the NCIS: Los Angeles chapter has closed, the legend of Hetty Lange may yet have another story to tell.
