For most shows going into season eleven like NCIS: Los Angeles is, this list would be reduced to just one: an ending. Because, let’s face it, how many shows manage to outdo themselves and keep us interested after so many seasons?
Yeah, the list is really, really short.
NCIS:Los Angeles hasn’t just managed that, though, it’s done it while holding on to the same group of characters we’ve loved since season 2. Season 1 was a bit of an anomaly, but once the team was, with Deeks and Nell in the picture, it’s been a decade of good television, and we wouldn’t change it for the world.
And here we are, going onto season 11, and yes, we’re still invested, and we still have things we want to see. Starting with …
More Hetty
We got precious little Hetty in season 10, and I know, I know, Linda Hunt needed the time off, and I’m glad she could recuperate from her car crash and wasn’t rushed back to work. But that doesn’t change the fact that I missed Hetty, and she’s an integral part of the team. Hell, she’s the one who brought them all together.
Besides, when Hetty’s around, things are always an extra level of crazy, which I enjoy.
Densi being Densi
I don’t think it’s going to happen, but just in case, I will put it out there: I don’t want the wedding to change Kensi and Deeks. I mean, they’ve been together for a long time now, and the fact that they’re now husband and wife shouldn’t really change their dynamics or their relationship with the team.
But, the fact that they’re now husband and wife should enrich the potential storylines they can be involved with. After all, there’s a lot that comes with marriage …and a ton of interesting possibilities to play with.
A step forward for Nell and Eric
I’m tired of everything that happens with Eric and Nell sorta happening in the shadows, behind the scenes. They’re part of the team, and they’re fun, interesting characters in their own right, and they should get a little of the spotlight – both separately and as a couple.
Now, I’m not saying they need to get married tomorrow, but I am saying it’s time we saw more of them being, well …Neric. We get a lot of everyone else’s personal life, so why not a little more of theirs?
Team bonding
And with that, I mean the whole team. We’ve gotten better at bonding between the main four characters, and I don’t have to complain about Deeks being the odd man out anymore, but I would still like to see Deeks, Kensi, Callen and Sam bonding more, as well as more instance where we add Eric, Nell and Hetty to that dynamic. These are, after all, people who’ve gone to hell and back for each other. They least they can do is go out for drinks every once a while.
Some happiness for Callen
The brooding Callen with quips for days routine has gotten a bit old by now. He deserves a little peace and quiet, even if in this show, that’s usually short lived. Whether that be with Anna (and that feels like an open storyline if I’ve ever seen one) or with someone else, I think it’s time for Callen to taste a little bit of the kind of happiness everyone else in this show has been allowed to experience.
Agree? Disagree? Share with us in the comments below!
NCIS: Los Angeles premieres Sunday September 29th on CBS.