It’s one of the most unintentionally hilarious—and oddly enduring—tropes in all of crime procedural TV: A federal agent spots a suspect halfway across the street, loudly yells, “Federal agents!”… and the suspect instantly bolts, sparking a chase that’s often more cinematic than strategic.
This recurring moment has happened so often across NCIS: Los Angeles’ 14-season run that it’s practically part of the show’s DNA. And it turns out, the cast knows it all too well — and even they can’t keep a straight face about it.
The Scene We’ve Seen a Hundred Times — and Still Love
In the November 6 episode titled “Flesh & Blood,” directed by series star Daniela Ruah (Special Agent Kensi Blye), another such scene played out. A suspect was spotted, an agent yelled from across the way, and — surprise — the perp ran for it. It’s a classic NCIS: LA moment. But this time, the irony hit even closer to home because Ruah was behind the camera.
So when TVLine asked Ruah why agents always seem to alert suspects from yards away — essentially encouraging them to flee — the actress-director couldn’t contain herself.
Daniela Ruah: “I Laughed for 20 Seconds Straight”
“[Bursts out laughing for a full 20 seconds…] Yeah. That’s why I’m laughing. It’s so odd!” Ruah confessed during the interview. And yes, she’s asked the same question herself, both as a cast member and as a director.
“I’m not even going to pretend that’s not true,” she continued. “Logically, of course you wouldn’t announce yourself like that. You’d sneak up on them — obviously. But in television, it’s about more than just logic.”
Ruah went on to explain that yelling “Federal agents!” serves a few cinematic purposes: it establishes location and environment for the audience, creates instant tension, and — let’s be honest — sets up those adrenaline-pumping foot chases that have become a beloved NCIS staple.
Suspension of Disbelief… and Creative Framing
“It’s just a question of suspended disbelief,” Ruah said. “Sometimes that trope helps to establish geography and show the place you’re in. You can creatively justify it all you want, but yeah — as cast members, we’ve joked about it.”
And yes, even as a director, Ruah admits to falling into the same trap she once mocked.
“I end up doing it too!” she laughed. “I don’t know what to tell you, Matt! Why the heck would we call this guy from all the way over here when we could just, like, creep up on him? But then I look through the lens and go, ‘Ooh, this is a really pretty shot… we should do this!’”
A Chase Scene Tradition That’s Here to Stay
Ruah also made peace with the trope by highlighting what fans get in return: memorable action.
“At the very least,” she said, “it gives us a fun chase scene — where, you know, an agent comes from around a corner and ends up clotheslining the bad guy. You can’t clothesline someone if they never got the chance to run.”
So the next time you see Deeks, Rountree, or Kensi yell from across a parking lot and watch the suspect flee like it’s a track meet, know that yes, the actors are in on the joke. And they’re loving it just as much as you are.
Because, in the end, what’s NCIS: Los Angeles without one perfectly illogical — and completely entertaining — foot chase?
