This much we know about NCIS: Hawai’i Season 3:
* LL Cool J will be a recurring guest star, reprising his role as NCIS: Los Angeles‘ Sam Hanna (who popped up in the Season 2 finale).
* Said new season will premiere Monday, Feb. 12 at 10/9c.
But outside of that — because the CBS procedural’s writers only recently returned to work following the 148-day WGA strike — what NCIS: Hawai’i has on tap for Season 3 is pretty much anybody’s guess.
WANT: Some overdue personal insight
Indeed, we are aware that Jesse is a spouse and father of three children. However, we haven’t seen his wife yet and have only had the opportunity to meet his daughter, Gracie. Indeed, we are aware that Lucy has multiple brothers. But how do they behave? Do any of them possess a rotten egg? And perhaps we could meet one?
Indeed, we are aware of Ernie’s exceptional charm with women, but who is he really? And how risky could his history as a hacker be?
Put another way, even though we’ve spent a lot of time at home with Jane and her family—the same goes for Kai—it’s definitely time to share more information about the backgrounds and influences of the other members of the NCIS team.
WANT: Happy Kai
During the course of the first two seasons, Alex Tarrant’s Kai has had to cope with challenging circumstances with his father, and his longtime friend AJ Hale has evolved into a very formidable enemy. Perhaps we’re just ignoring the odd lighter moment or “bro”-ment. (I mean, have a peek at the guy’s miserable face up above! There has been a lot.) Kai should have some significant successes at work in Season 3, and perhaps even some love success as well.
WANT: Make the most of Sam’s visit
As fun as it was for TVLine to be privy ahead of time to LL Cool J’s surprise appearance in the Season 2 finale (watch video above), fans of the overall NCIS franchise (especially NCIS: Los Angeles itself) surely were even more thrilled to see Sam Hanna show up (and so soon after he and Callen jetted off to Morocco to find Hetty).
LL Cool J can bring it all — swagger, brawn, charm — so we hope that NCIS: Hawai’i makes the most of his bag of tricks, and also feeds us at least one meaningful mention of what’s new (even if off-screen) in that LA corner of the NCIS-iverse.
WANT: Jane/Kate alliances
The off-book case that concluded the season and took Jane and Kate to Caracas was fantastic since it strengthened their relationship despite Jane handcuffing Kate to a kitchen counter! Even though Kate and Jane are both “family-adjacent” to Team Tennant and frequently clash on the official work front while defending and advancing the interests of their respective agencies, it is always a pleasure to see Kate and Jane collaborate to achieve a shared objective.
WANT: More Captain Milius
Getting just one (1) Season 2 appearance by Enver Gjokaj’s Captain Joe was itself a crime worthy of naval investigation. Because not only does Joe generate immense romantic heat with NCIS team leader Jane, but he’s also a highly enjoyable foil of sorts, when he needs to keep Tennant from coloring too far outside of the lines.
DON’T WANT: Manufactured drama for #Kacy
After Season 2, which was a wonderfully packaged gift for Kate/Lucy fans, we can definitely hear the authors saying, “Okay, enough happiness for those two! It’s time to really test them. Who is creative? Be quick! Therefore, okay, perhaps subject this couple to the occasional, easily resolved test (e.g., different points of view on a crime-solving strategy), but please refrain from blasting us with memories of former romances, disapproving relatives, or any other cliches. #Kacy is worthy of more.