LL COOL J’s long-awaited return as Sam Hanna finally arrived on tonight’s episode of NCIS—but fans weren’t ready for the jaw-dropping reveal that came with it.
The episode, titled “After the Storm,” began like any other crime procedural chase, with Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) and Knight (Katrina Law) investigating the murder of three combat vets in a D.C. motel. But when the suspect insisted on speaking only to “XT5256,” the team was stumped. The mystery badge number? None other than Sam Hanna’s.
Only this wasn’t the Sam fans remembered. Instead of running tactical ops for NCIS: LA, Sam is now… working in a suit on Capitol Hill.
“Even a Man of Steel has to dress like Clark Kent once in a while,” he quipped.
A Career Change Born of Tragedy
The surprising switch stems from heartbreak. After Sam’s elite team was killed in Hawaii, he took a leave of absence and sought a “change of pace.” But, as he quickly admitted, Capitol Hill can be its own battlefield.
When NCIS needed him, though, Sam answered. He stepped in to help a former comrade—Mark Davis—who was being targeted by Iron Horizon, a rogue private military company. By the end of the case, Sam proved once again why he’s one of the franchise’s most trusted heroes.
Personal Updates Fans Have Been Waiting For
While the Capitol Hill twist was shocking, longtime fans were buzzing even more over the rich character updates sprinkled throughout the hour:
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Sam & Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen): Viewers learned that Sam and Jimmy—and Jimmy’s teenage daughter Victoria—now share a standing weekend karaoke date. Sam downplayed it with: “I sing a little bit.”
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Callen & Anna: In a heartwarming update, Sam revealed that G Callen (Chris O’Donnell) is no longer a lone wolf—he and Anna (Bar Paly) are expecting a baby.
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Jane Tennant Crossover: Sam even brought Malassadas, Portuguese fried pastries, to the team, explaining: “I asked Tennant [Vanessa Lachey, NCIS: Hawaii] for the recipe.” A fun crossover nod for fans of the larger NCIS universe.
Hetty Sighted—and Sam’s Future
Perhaps the biggest tease came in Sam’s final exchange with Director Vance (Rocky Carroll). After admitting that seeing the NCIS team work shoulder-to-shoulder reminded him of what he misses, Sam confessed he’s quitting Capitol Hill.
“There’s always a place for you back at NCIS,” Vance told him. Sam smiled, leaving the door wide open for more appearances.
And then came the kicker: Vance revealed that Hetty (Linda Hunt) has been “spotted on the wrong side of the DMZ.”
Could Hetty’s long-awaited return finally be on the horizon?
The Bottom Line
LL COOL J’s comeback wasn’t just a nostalgic cameo—it was a game-changing episode packed with revelations about beloved NCIS: Los Angeles characters, while also setting the stage for more crossovers and reunions in the future.
One thing’s for sure: Sam Hanna may have traded tactical gear for a suit, but his heart still belongs to NCIS.
