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Why Hetty is such a fan-favorite character on NCIS: LA

By Alexandria Ingham

"Kill Beale: Vol. 1" - Pictured: Linda Hunt (Henrietta "Hetty" Lange). Callen and Sam travel to San Francisco to search for Beale after he's kidnapped during a clandestine mission for Hetty, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Sunday, Nov. 24 (9:00--10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Bill Inoshita/CBS ©2019 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
"Kill Beale: Vol. 1" - Pictured: Linda Hunt (Henrietta "Hetty" Lange). Callen and Sam travel to San Francisco to search for Beale after he's kidnapped during a clandestine mission for Hetty, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Sunday, Nov. 24 (9:00--10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Bill Inoshita/CBS ©2019 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. /
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There wouldn’t be an NCIS: LA without Linda Hunt’s Hetty. While she’s no longer in every episode, Hetty remains a fan-favorite character, and here’s why.

Some characters stand out more than others on all TV shows. On NCIS: LA, it’s all about Linda Hunt’s Hetty. In fact, without her, I don’t think the show would have been as successful as it is.

Hunt has taken a step back from the show in recent years. It’s a similar feeling to David McCallum taking a step back on the original NCIS. When we get these fan-favorite characters back, there’s no denying that they’re a highlight to the episodes.

But what makes Hunt’s Hetty such a fan-favorite character? Why is she the one character we love to see on our screens? It’s something the most recent episode brought to the forefront.

She’s not afraid to speak her mind

If you need a character who isn’t afraid to hold back when it comes to emotions, it’s Hetty. When she’s annoyed, she will tell people. When she’s cautious, she makes it clear.

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There are times that she’s not 100% upfront. After all, she likes to keep an air of mystery while also making people think for themselves. This was the case in NCIS: LA Season 11, Episode 19. When Callen thanked her for helping to exonerate Anna, Hetty made it clear that she didn’t do it. After that, she left a tease of her hoping that Anna’s exoneration was right. It’s clear she doesn’t trust Anna, but there’s something more.

Hetty is one of those characters who will make her decisions known. She will share her feelings of disappointment but is also open when she’s proud of her team. These are important qualities in a leader.

She’s strong but kind

Speaking of being a leader, Hetty has been one of the most consistent when it comes to her strength but kindness. She knows when to be one or the other, and knows how to be both at the same time.

There’s no weakness in showing gratitude and heart. During the most recent episode of NCIS: LA, she waited for Nell to tell her that she was considering leaving. Hetty didn’t judge and didn’t try to stop Nell, but she did find a way around the situation to make sure Nell was sure. Nell has vacation days, so she can use them to make up her mind.

We’ve seen this situations arise in the past for all characters. She routinely shows support when necessary rather than judgment. Of course, there are the times she has to judge, which is when she has to be the strong leader.

While is is being kind, she can also have a wicked sense of humor.

She’s not afraid to make the hard decisions

Being a leader isn’t easy. More often than not, the leaders have to make the decisions that make them look mean. We’ve seen all leaders on all TV crime dramas have to make some of the most difficult decisions.

They can have to leave people behind or have to bench the odd team member now and then. There are even cases where they have to fire individuals permanently.

We see it with male leaders all the time and more often than not brush the decisions off over time. When it comes to women, these decisions seem to stick. It’s unbias (and sometimes bias) sexism in the workplace.

Yet, Hetty doesn’t mind looking like the big mean boss at times. She knows these types of decisions need to be made for the good of everyone else. She’ll be the mean boss if she needs to be, but that doesn’t take away from the heart that she always shows.

Watch NCIS: LA on CBS All Access with Amazon Channels!
Watch NCIS: LA on CBS All Access with Amazon Channels! /

She guides instead of dictates

Too many characters in a leadership role would push characters to take specific journeys. Hetty may have done that in her earlier years, but she’s learned and adapted into her older age. She’s one of those characters who has grown, and we’ve been able to watch it in just the last 11 years. We know there’s been more.

While she has specific ideas for her various team members, she doesn’t dictate the journey that they go on. She just tries to guide them.

This is something most recently seen with Nell. She didn’t say “don’t leave,” but she made it clear that she doesn’t want that. However, she’s giving Nell the time she needs to figure things out, guiding to make the right choice.

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Hetty is one of those characters we can feel emotionally connected to. She’s a fan-favorite for some very good reasons.

Why is Hetty one of your favorite characters on NCIS: LA? What has she done to make you love her over the years? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

NCIS: LA airs Sundays at 9/8c on CBS.

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