NCIS: Los Angeles premiered in 2009 as a spinoff of the CBS crime drama NCIS. It follows a covert operations unit within the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, led by G. Callen (Chris O’Donnell) and Sam Hanna (LL Cool J). The show built its early seasons around terrorism, espionage and the shadowy world of counterintelligence. Its fifth season, which ran from September 2011 to May 2012, kept that focus while adding a recurring antagonist in the form of a terrorist named Farid (Yigal Naor).
Farid’s Return
Farid first appeared in Season 4’s “Revelations” and returned for Season 5’s “Shadows.” In “Shadows,” Farid is revealed to be the mastermind behind a bombing that kills a civilian contractor. He also orchestrates an attack on a U.S. military base in Kuwait, sending a car packed with explosives through a checkpoint. The episode ends with Farid’s capture, but not before he kills a CIA agent and frames Callen for the death.
The plot is pulpy and over-the-top, but it works within the show’s procedural framework. Farid’s presence gives the season a throughline that ties multiple episodes together. The season’s biggest weakness is that it leans heavily on terrorist threats without fully exploring the personal stakes for its main characters.
The Team Dynamic
Season 5 introduced new cast members Eric Beale (Barrett Dowling) and Nell Jones (Parminder Nagra). The show also brought back Hetty Lange (Linda Hunt), who serves as the team’s mentor and tactical advisor. The chemistry between Callen, Sam, Deeks (Brian Van Der Ark) and Kensi (Rachel Tietjen) remains the show’s strongest element. Their banter and professional partnership carry episodes even when the plots sag.
The technical aspects hold up well. The show’s action sequences are competent, and its visual style favors dark, moody cinematography. The pacing is brisk, which helps mask some of the weaker writing.
Comparing the Seasons
| Season | Antagonist | Key Arc |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Farid (first appearance) | Bombing investigation |
| 5 | Farid (return) | Kuwait attack, framing of Callen |
The comparison shows a pattern. Farid’s return in Season 5 repeats the structure of his first appearance in Season 4, with a terrorist plot, a capture, and a framing device. The formula works, but it is easy to see why critics found the season repetitive.
Critical Reception
Critics were mixed on Season 5. The show’s reliance on terrorist threats drew some criticism for its lack of originality. One review noted that the season’s plots felt familiar and predictable, a complaint that applies across the show’s early years. The show’s IMDb critic rating sits at 5.9 out of 10, which reflects a middling response from viewers and critics alike.
Key Facts
– Season 5 premiere: September 2011
– Season 5 finale: May 2012
– Episodes per season: 23
– IMDB critic rating: 5.9/10
Final Word
NCIS: Los Angeles is a solid procedural with a loyal fanbase. Season 5 benefits from strong acting and a clear antagonist in Farid, but the plots are overly familiar. The show’s best moments come from its ensemble and their interactions, not from the terrorist threats that dominate the season. It is watchable but forgettable.
IMDb critic rating: 5.9 of 10.
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