NCIS: Los Angeles – “Imposters” – review

A man impersonating a Navy SEAL is burned to death in a phosphorus fire, putting Callen and the team back on the trail of a canister of radioactive material stolen in a previous episode. Meanwhile, Hetty appears to be dodging Callen and having heart-to-heart talks with the rest of the team.

The case of the week didn’t interest me much. The players were amateurs. Amateur anarchist “Shepherd” had hired fake Navy SEAL Brent Dundas to make a dirty bomb. Dundas was killed when Shepherd discovered he didn’t know how to make a bomb. Callen and the team had to locate Shepherd before he managed to set off a real bomb, and, of course, they succeeded.

At the end of the episode, Hetty mysteriously disappeared, having tendered her resignation. This much was mentioned in previews, but to me, it’s the most intriguing aspect of the two-part finale. If Hetty has left the agency for good, NCIS: Los Angeles‘s dynamic changes significantly. In many ways, she is the mother figure who ensures the team members work well together. Many fans came to the show specifically for Linda Hunt.

Many series protagonists have resigned only to return the following season. I’m not sure that’s what’s going on here. I have heard that Hetty is on a personal mission involving something from Callen’s past, but it may not be wrapped up in Part Two. It’s also possible Linda Hunt really wanted to leave the show. If that’s the case, NCIS: Los Angeles will need to bring in someone or multiple actors who can compensate for what she brought to the show.

I’ve never been a fan of Callen’s mysterious past. It hasn’t figured into the series much, and I don’t know how much I’d enjoy the show if it did. I’ll have to watch to find out.