After 14 seasons and 322 episodes, NCIS: Los Angeles delivered plenty of action, suspense, and heartwarming team moments. But even the most beloved shows have their low points — and for many fans and critics, Season 12, Episode 9: “A Fait Accompli” stands out as the weakest installment in the series’ run.
What Happens in “A Fait Accompli”?
In this episode, Callen (Chris O’Donnell) prepares to propose to Anna (Bar Paly), while the team investigates the suspicious death of a man with connections to a Russian asset. Meanwhile, Hetty (Linda Hunt) remains absent, and a subplot involving Nell (Renée Felice Smith) and her hesitancy to take on Hetty’s role continues to simmer in the background.
The premise had potential — romance, espionage, and shifting team dynamics — but the execution fell flat.
Why It’s Considered the Worst
1. Lack of Cohesive Plot:
Many viewers found the main storyline convoluted and disjointed. The Russian asset plot felt underdeveloped and disconnected from the personal drama unfolding between Callen and Anna. Instead of creating tension, it caused confusion.
2. Callen’s Out-of-Character Behavior:
Fans were frustrated by Callen’s proposal storyline. Instead of showcasing the confident and composed agent audiences knew, Callen came off as hesitant and awkward. His actions — especially involving a secretive phone tracking of Anna — felt uncharacteristically intrusive, raising eyebrows rather than hearts.
3. Anna’s Mysterious Arc:
Anna’s character had always been a bit of a wildcard, but in this episode, her motivations were murky, and her reaction to Callen’s proposal plans seemed overly dramatic without enough context. It left fans questioning the chemistry and depth of their relationship.
4. Hetty’s Prolonged Absence:
By this point in Season 12, Linda Hunt’s Hetty had been mostly relegated to short, cryptic video calls. Fans missed her commanding presence, and her absence continued to feel like a void the show couldn’t fill — especially in an episode where leadership and trust were central themes.
5. Missed Emotional Beats:
With a title like “A Fait Accompli,” expectations were set for major emotional or plot developments. Instead, the episode ends on a disjointed note, leaving many fans unsatisfied with the lack of resolution or growth.
Fan Reactions
On forums like Reddit and Twitter, fans were vocal:
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“This felt like filler, and not even good filler.”
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“Callen deserved a better arc — this made him look like a stranger to the team and to Anna.”
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“Where is Hetty? This show doesn’t feel the same anymore.”
In Hindsight
Every long-running show has its off days, and NCIS: Los Angeles managed to bounce back in later episodes. Still, “A Fait Accompli” is often cited as a misfire — a reminder that even in a series built on procedural precision, character and clarity are everything.
Whether it’s because of weak storytelling, character missteps, or just poor timing, this episode lingers in fans’ minds — for all the wrong reasons.
