The Bear is the 1st episode of NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 and also the 263rd episode of the entire NCIS: Los Angeles series.
Synopsis
When a Russian bomber goes missing while flying over U.S. soil, Callen and Sam must track it down in the desert and secure its weapons and intel before the Russians on board destroy the plane while Hetty gives Nell a cryptic assignment.
Plot

Sam and Callen after finding the missing Russian plane.
Major Events
- It's revealed that Nell's mother died.
- Nell returns to OSP and in Hetty's absence, assumes the role as Acting Operations Manager.
- Devin Rountree returns and it's revealed that he is now an official NCIS Special Agent.
- Eric is currently away in Japan, working on the technology he was developing the previous year during his undercover assignment.
Trivia
- This episode is dedicated to the memory of David Bellisario who is the son of Donald P. Bellisario with David having worked as a producer on JAG, NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS. Bellisario died from brain cancer on July 24, 2020 at the age of 63.
Cast
Series Regulars
Name | Portrayed by | Role |
---|---|---|
G. Callen | Chris O'Donnell | NCIS Special Agent and the leader of the Office of Special Projects field team. |
Kensi Blye | Daniela Ruah | NCIS Special Agent with the Office of Special Projects. |
Marty Deeks | Eric Christian Olsen | A Detective with the Los Angeles Police Department and also the LAPD/NCIS liaison. |
Eric Beale | Barrett Foa | Tech Operator with the Office of Special Projects. Despite being credited, Foa does not appear in this episode. |
Nell Jones | Renée Felice Smith | Tech Analyst for the Office of Special Projects who in Hetty's absence has become Acting Operations Manager. |
Fatima Namazi | Medalion Rahimi | NCIS Special Agent. |
Devin Rountree | Caleb Castille | NCIS Special Agent. |
Henrietta Lange | Linda Hunt | Operations Manager with the Office of Special Projects. |
Sam Hanna | LL Cool J | A former Navy SEAL-turned-NCIS Special Agent with the Office of Special Projects. |
Recurring Cast
Name | Portrayed by | Role |
---|---|---|
Frank Wallace | Don Wallace | |
Arkady Kolcheck | Vyto Ruginis |
Guest Cast
Name | Portrayed by | Role |
---|---|---|
Oleg Barinov | Eugene Prokofiev | |
Zasha Gagrin | Olesya Rulin | Former SVR agent. |
Maxim Yurtaev | Daniel Kove | |
Clubber | Lissa Danshaw | Navy Aviator. |
Wingman | Brian Leigh Smith | Navy Aviator. |
Russian Aviator | Roman Mitichyan |