The drought has ended. After so many long, painful months, Hetty has finally been positively mentioned by someone who works on NCIS LA.
Here's the info: (Source: https://tvline.com/2022/08/18/ncis-los-angeles-season-14-will-hetty-return-callen-wedding/ )
Might wedding bells for Callen and Anna herald the (latest) long-awaited return of NCIS: Los Angeles‘ Hetty?
Original cast member Linda Hunt’s enigmatic character last appeared on-camera in May 2021, at the close of Season 12, when Hetty fittingly ended her previous vanishing act to wish Nell and Eric well with their post-NCIS life.
Coming off of that, there was a plan to have Hunt back for Season 13, and ideally to a greater degree, but you know what they say — “Man plans, and God and COVID surges laugh.” (or just a terrible showrunner playing chicken with the writing) As a result, Hunt appeared only in last October’s premiere, where Hetty informed Kilbride that she needed to return to Syria (where she had spent much of Season 12 and apparently left things a mess).
Callen, as a result, was left to rummage around by himself for the newest,latest (completely faked) truth about his childhood — namely, whether he was but one of many youths “recruited” and mentored by Ms. Lange. But on a much happier note, Season 13 ended with Callen proposing to Anna Kolchek in front of a beach sunset, and his longtime girlfriend gleefully accepting. (shouldn't have done it without Hetty being there!!!!)
As part of TVLine’s in-depth NCIS: Los Angeles Fall Preview, showrunner R. Scott Gemmill said that shortly after Season 14 opens (on Sunday, Oct. 9), Callen (played by Chris O’Donnell) will be thinking about his and Anna’s (Bar Paly) upcoming wedding when “he realizes he has unfinished business, and wouldn’t want to get married without Hetty present.” Callen’s wish to have his adoptive mother on hand for his big day will — eventually, hopefully (don't say 'hopefully', the word you're looking for, is 'definitely'!) — precipitate a return for Hetty and the 77-year-old Hunt.
“The plan,” Gemmill says, “is to go and rescue her at some point, find out what she’s gotten herself into.
“We’re just trying to figure out schedule-wise when we can pull that off,” he added. “That was the plan last year, too, but it didn’t come to fruition. We had a bit of a [COVID variant] (sure asshole, sure) surge, but things seem to be settling down a bit. Hopefully, nothing new comes along and we can make the happen this year.” (or until he finds another made up excuse to screw everything up again because he's a massive chicken!!)
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My take: This ain't any new photo, nor is it the absolute confirmation I've been awaiting all year on her return. But, I have no choice but to trust this lying asshole to deliver my most important wish. (yeah, I hate that thought too).
He needs to deliver on this. Otherwise, I will never, ever trust him again. Just bring her home, alive. That's all I'm asking for. It's not too much to deliver on!!
Please pray this prayer gets answered. I and every other Hetty fan deserves a win after this hellish year.