The beloved operations manager’s fate remains unclear as fans await closure.
With NCIS Season 22 Episode 13, titled “Bad Blood,” fans were treated to a lighthearted subplot featuring McGee’s coffee fundraiser — but hidden within that storyline was a golden opportunity the show just didn’t take: an update on the whereabouts of NCIS: Los Angeles’ Hetty Lange, played by the iconic Linda Hunt.
While longtime NCIS fans were thrilled to spot multiple references to characters across the franchise — from NCIS: Sydney to NCIS: Hawai’i — Hetty’s glaring absence from Kasie’s whiteboard of fundraising helpers did not go unnoticed.
A Fun Crossover… With a Missing Piece
As McGee finds himself embroiled in a caffeine-fueled rivalry at his twins’ school, Kasie steps in with her signature enthusiasm to help with fundraising. In doing so, she reaches out to nearly 50 other NCIS agents, a subtle but delightful nod to the franchise’s vast universe.
Her whiteboard tracks names like Kensi Blye (Daniela Ruah) and Callen (Chris O’Donnell) from NCIS: LA, as well as newer faces from NCIS: Sydney, like Michelle Mackey (Olivia Swann). But the name many fans were hoping to see — Hetty — is nowhere to be found.
The Hetty Question Remains Unanswered
Since her last on-screen appearance in NCIS: LA’s Season 13 premiere, Hetty has existed in the show’s world through mentions and mysterious letters. The LA finale confirmed she’s alive and still operational, sending Callen and Sam to Morocco with her signature cryptic flair.
But that was two years ago.
While NCIS proper has embraced callbacks and crossover Easter eggs, especially in this recent episode, Hetty’s absence feels intentional — and frustrating. Fans hoped this whiteboard might deliver a small but meaningful update, even if just a simple, “Hetty sends her best from Morocco.”
Instead, we’re still left wondering: Where exactly is Hetty Lange? And will she ever return?
Time Is Running Out For On-Screen Closure
The final fate of beloved NCIS character Ducky Mallard, played by the late David McCallum, was handled with grace and onscreen reverence in Season 21. It was a bittersweet reminder that even iconic characters don’t have forever — and Hetty deserves the same kind of closure.
The good news? NCIS has been renewed for Season 23, so there’s still time. Whether it’s a short appearance, a heartfelt letter, or even a voiceover, fans are hoping the next season will finally provide the resolution that the legendary Hetty Lange — and Linda Hunt — deserve.
The Bottom Line
While the “Bad Blood” episode was packed with franchise-wide fun and callbacks, it missed a rare opportunity to update fans on one of NCIS: LA‘s most compelling mysteries. With every season, the clock ticks louder on Hetty’s future. And fans agree: it’s long past time for the show to bring her story full circle — while it still can.
🕵️♀️ Hetty Lange isn’t just a character. She’s a legacy. And that legacy deserves an ending as unforgettable as she is.
