NCIS: Los Angeles ended its ninth season on a crazy cliffhanger that left the fates of the show's four most pivotal characters in question. It wasn't the first time a season of NCIS: LA concluded with Callen, Sam, Kensi, and Deeks all in mortal danger, but the ninth season seemed to set the stage for more than one character to potentially depart sooner rather than later, and Kensi and Deeks in particular felt like characters to worry about. Well, a first look at Season 10 reveals the aftermath of the big cliffhanger, and one of those two is in pretty rough shape. Take a look!
The Season 9 finale ended with Callen, Sam, Kensi, and Deeks in an SUV that is seemingly blown to smithereens by bad guys who were waiting for them with a whole lot of artillery and a bone to pick. The explosion was bad enough that Hetty and Co. back in Los Angeles were understandably panicked at losing contact with the foursome.
The finale didn't confirm the fates of the characters, and Kensi and Deeks seemed most in danger of losing their lives. They were in the front seats when the SUV exploded, and one or both of them could have easily died. The first look at Season 10 (courtesy of TVLine) shows Kensi alive and on her feet, although she's not looking her best. Deeks looks like he's not going to be up and at 'em any time soon.
The logline for the Season 10 premiere refers to Deeks as "unconscious," so this photo isn't a huge spoiler confirming that the poor guy finally bit the dust after eight years of close calls. The premiere also describes Callen, Sam, and Kensi as a whole as "gravely injured and unable to communicate with the team in the U.S." They must find a way back into the United States despite the "dead or alive" bounty that has been placed on their heads.
At this point, it's entirely possible that Deeks will be absolutely fine after a little rest and recuperation. Maybe he's only unconscious because NCIS: Los Angeles needed a reason why the agents will have an especially difficult time making their way out of Mexico. The show couldn't take Kensi out of commission in a foreign country again (especially since the show doesn't need to accommodate a pregnant Daniela Ruah this time around), and it would be difficult to buy Callen, Kensi, and Deeks dragging an unconscious Sam around.
Taking LL Cool J's muscles into account, carrying Sam would be a two-man job at least! Sam could probably sling any of the other three over his shoulder, even if it might get tricky with Deeks. At this point, I'd be most worried about Deeks and Callen. The show did introduce a way to theoretically take Deeks out of NCIS without killing him and without breaking him and Kensi up, so he may be safe.
Should we start to cross our fingers and hope Callen makes it out? It would be rough to lose somebody after losing Granger, even despite the touching tribute to Miguel Ferrer. Sam would be inconsolable if Callen bit the dust, especially after what happened back in the Season 8 finale.
Find out for yourself when NCIS: Los Angeles returns to CBS for Season 10 on Sunday, September 30 at 9:30 p.m. ET. For the premiere dates of the other NCIS series as well as a whole bunch of other new and returning shows, check out our fall TV schedule.
