‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ 12×18 Review: “A Tale of Two Igors”

NCIS: Los Angeles 12×18: “A Tale of Two Igors” brings back Hetty, just as it bids farewell to Nell and Eric, two characters that have been around for over a decade, but that have been less than consistently around the last two years. It’s both a great shame – I will indeed miss both of them – and the way of life on such a long running show. As much as I enjoyed both of them, and as much as I believe the door is open for both of them to return in the future, I will say that, if two characters were going to exist, I don’t think I would have taken it well had it been any other two.

In many ways, Nell and Eric have always been the characters the show has treated more like an afterthought. More in the relationship aspect than on the personal – both have had particularly good moments, and Nell had some this season, as she tried to fill in Hetty’s shoes. But if you’d asked me before this episode where they stood with each other, what their relationship had been like in all the time they were – or weren’t – in a relationship, or hell, if they even had each other’s numbers at this point, my answer would have been: 🤷🤷🤷

The Nell and Hetty of it all seems surprising, considering all the setup, but perhaps it shouldn’t be so. Nell never seemed to truly fit in as Hetty’s replacement, and though I think the show made clear she could indeed do the job, I feel like it also made clear she didn’t truly want to. The only issue with Nell leaving that I don’t really appreciate is the possibility of someone new coming in to fill that spot, because that hasn’t truly gone well for us in the past. But I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt that this time, Hetty wouldn’t be gone for too long.

Otherwise, this was just a calm, quiet, fun episode to end the season. I appreciate that Kensi and Deeks got a chance to go have a picnic on the beach and we didn’t end up with anything big or life-changing happening to them. Kensi getting miraculously pregnant as soon as the stopped trying, or worse, getting kidnapped by Kessler at the last moment might have been something another show would have pulled, but this one understands that …we can leave some things for next season. Fans will be here then.

Didn’t truly appreciate the Anna and Callen storyline being dropped the way it did, though. Especially when it ends with Sam and Callen having conversations about possible kids. I know Anna’s availability might have had something to do with Bar Paly’s availability, in general, and filming in the age of the pandemic is an understandable mess, but if there was one storyline it felt like the show should have found a way to wrap up, it was this one.

Of course, this isn’t the end of NCIS: Los Angeles, and I’m really glad it isn’t. When the renewal took a while, I wondered …am I ready to give up this show? It has been 12 years, after all. I’ve gotten my fair share of happy beginnings. All characters are in a better place than where they started. And yet, a part of me doesn’t want to let go. Clearly, some of the actors feel the same, so we continue on.

Hopefully, to find out what in the world is going on with Hetty, to resolve the Kessler storyline, and to see Kensi and Deeks and Callen and Anna, figure out what the future brings for them. Hopefully, to learn more about Roundtree and Fatima. And, hopefully, to just get more of this team, this family, that has been with us over a decade. It’s not time to say goodbye yet, but even if the time comes soon, I have one thing to say: It’s been a hell of a ride.

Thank you for everything, NCIS: Los Angeles.

Things I think I think:

• Truly no one cared if they kidnapped Deeks? Because I would have cared.
• Nell’s explanation of that random thing Roundtree was holding was …something.
• I assume we’re keeping Kilbride on a more permanent basis?
• Nell going to Callen to vent was a nice touch. The big brother comparison worked really well for me.
• I get the feeling we’re gonna keep one of the Igors, too.
• You know who I would have liked to see again before the season was over? Anna.
• Ok, but I laughed at “vast Russian social network.” I did.
• “She created you” isn’t actually that far off.
• Sam starting down Kilbride was a nice touch.
• It would have been super weird if Kensi didn’t notice Deeks was late and not responding.
• One thing I will miss? Kensi and Nell moments.
• Poor Roundtree just wants to be friendly!
• I appreciate the Fatima storyline, because it happens. Sometimes you’re having a bad day and you end up lashing out at everyone.
• “Put your hand down, Beale, you don’t even work here.”
• Of course Callen sees right through Sam.
• “Being responsible for the lives of the people you care about is not fun.” This is the rub of it, for Nell.
• Aw, Fatima and Roundtree.
• Nell is my hero. The mustache is horrible.
• I teared up a bit at the Nell/Kensi goodbye, okay? I’m only human.
• SUNSET BEACH PICNIC!
• “You’d be a great dad too.”

Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS: Los Angeles 12×18: “A Tale of Two Igors”? Share with us in the comments below!

NCIS: Los Angeles aired Sundays on CBS.