Meet the New Girl

Nell Jones made her debut in “Special Delivery,” just a few episodes into Season Two [2×04]. She came to us just as cute as a button, wearing a pair of low-cut pants, a ruffled white blouse, and dark sweater, her hair in a playful pixy-cut. Admittedly, though, most of us were not quite sure what to do with her. When we were introduced to her for the very first time, she had just pushed her way past Eric to call the crew up to Ops for a new case. Nell had been there less than a week and, as Kensi stated, had “already taken over whistle duties.” And it only got worse once the team had assembled upstairs. There she was – this perky little redhead – inserting her own ideas into the case, finishing other people’s sentences, invading our sweet Eric’s technological domain. The raised eyebrows and the glances between the team members said it all: The new girl obviously had no regard for their professional pecking order. And you could just feel the tension in the room when she decided it was alright to hop right into the middle of Hetty’s sentences. Who does that?!!! I think those gathered in Ops were half expecting their boss just to snatch the new girl right out of existence. But, for some unknown reason, Hetty excused the irritating, quirky, talkative, bossy, and seemingly over-confident Intelligence Analyst.

And Nell didn’t stop there. Her little feet just continued trudging deeper into forbidden territory, literally stepping into Hetty’s path when she was attempting to leave Ops, suggesting that they have tea together. We saw Eric cringe and turn his head, waiting for the 4’9” volcano to erupt. Poor girl apparently didn’t know that Intelligence Analysts “just seem to rub Hetty the wrong way.” We have to give the young lady an “A” for doing her homework on the Operations Manager and her love for tea, but she was trying way too hard to win Hetty’s favor. Then strangely enough Miss Jones walked away, once again, unscathed.

I was sure the brilliant NICS: LA writers were just toying with us, sticking this new character in for an episode or two, for no other purpose than to annoy us. If that was the case, they were certainly achieving their goal. Even our meek and gentle Eric had finally had enough. He was so miffed that he even took off his glasses to confront her. TOOK OFF HIS GLASSES! His big hazel eyes stared her down until she asked him if there was a problem. Of course, when he opened his mouth to respond, she interrupted him again, answering her own question. And to his surprise, her explanation was spot on; she already knew the problem. It was then that something unexpected happened. We watched Eric slowly soften as Nell began awkwardly listing her personality flaws. It was as if he suddenly saw her as a real person, with real feelings, real insecurities. And when she subtly admitted her admiration of him, the Tech Operator’s heart melted before our very eyes. It was at this point that many of us were thinking – This new girl just might be good for him. Nell Jones was growing on us.

As this episode progressed, we witnessed the transformation of the pair’s working relationship. While working in Ops to solve the case, Nell would catch herself overstepping boundaries, stop, and wait for permission to proceed. And Eric demonstrated patience with the new Analyst, pausing at times to signal for her input. The “magical” moment was when their fingers began literally taking turns on the computer keyboard. The two eventually discovered what an amazing force they were when they combined their geek-skills. Eric and Nell were a team.

But there was still the matter of Hetty; it was the end of the workday, everyone had assembled back at the office, and Nell had not yet received the boss’ stamp of approval. Suddenly the team’s relaxed celebration of another solved case was brought to a screeching halt when “Happy Birthday” music came blasting over the intercom, and the newbie appeared out of nowhere with a gift for Hetty. Their “complicated” Operations Manager had said she didn’t want any acknowledgment of her Birthday. Would she be pleased? Would she be furious? The young Analyst was face-to-face with Hetty’s cold, scrutinizing stare, a look that would have made most grown men run and hide, or simply fall to their knees and beg for mercy. Everyone stood motionless, waiting for Hetty’s response. To their relief, Hetty’s features softened, a broad smile appeared on her face, and her stone facade began to crumble. Hetty approved.

By the following episode [“Little Angels” 2×05], Nell’s annoying behaviors (particularly the one of finishing others’ sentences) had practically vanished. Though staying true to her quirky personality, she seemed to be more in sync with her techie co-worker, and more comfortable in her role at the Office of Special Projects. By the beginning of her third episode [“Standoff” 2×06], Nell had already been allowed to join in the team’s “rain deer games,” using her high-tech equipment to assist them in hustling “Uncle Marty” at his own card trick. When it was disclosed that the x-ray camera was actually her idea, it was apparent that the new girl had been officially accepted into the club. The LA team now had an Intelligence Analyst on board.

A Partner for Eric

Eric seemed to flourish with the addition of a partner. Not only did Nell provide companionship for our rather isolated Tech Operator, her presence greatly impacted the development of Eric’s character. Because of her influence, he began to take some risks, stepped outside his comfort zone (like partaking of milk and cookies in Hetty’s no food zone in “Lange, H.” 3×01, and the donning of the elf costume in “Free Ride” 4×10.) But then on occasions when his confidence wavered, Nell proved to be the strong one, offering him comfort and protection. Probably the most memorable instance of Nell reassuring her anxious partner was the “Men in Black” scene in “Recruit” [4×02], when she stood right in front of him and said, “You’re safe with me.”

Over the past several seasons, we’ve watched the tech-duo’s friendship develop. Although they have been careful to keep overt romantic expressions to a minimum, there have been plenty of hints of their mutual attraction and admiration. We have even seen Eric’s jealous side when he believes Nell has received flowers from an admirer [“Greed” 3×08], when she briefly flirts with Nate in “Lockup” [2×14], and on several occasions when she encounters particularly attentive men while working in the field. And who can blame Eric? What male of the “geek culture” would not be intrigued by Miss Jones? – Intelligence, beauty, courage, and wittiness, all wrapped up in one little package.

The Team

When Nell made her debut, it seemed she was cut from the same “geek cloth” as her partner. But as time passed, we saw her connect, at some level, to other team members. We know there has been at least one “girls’ night out” with Kensi [“Patriot Acts” 3×20]. She talked “tools” with Sam in “Higher Power” [3×11]. She even had a “geek” connection with Deeks in “Recruit” [4×02] when she recognized his lucky number was the atomic weight for Helium (and later revealed to Eric that she also had a favorite element.) Nell received a nod of approval from Callen in “Unwritten Rule” [5×05], when her quick action and warning shot from her service weapon halted a fleeing suspect. The whole team praised her when she “trusted her training,” and disarmed the man holding her hostage in “Kill House” [4×12]. Kensi commented that this had to be “the first and last time a hostage has ever de-magged her captor during a standoff.”

Granger, who we all know is not easily impressed, even gave Nell an off-handed compliment after she fended off the psycho woman-killer in “War Cries” [5×14]. Once, when temporarily partnered with Nell, Deeks called her “Nellosaurus” [“Merry Evasion” 5×12]. Although Deeks is noted for playfully assigning nicknames, this reference described her well: Miss Jones has proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with. While the team appreciates her technical and intellectual assistance in solving cases, her outstanding performance each time she enters the field, and her willingness to look danger in the face, have earned her a whole different level of respect.

A Place in Hetty’s Heart

Hetty has known Nell for less time than any of the other team members. Yet there has always been something special about their relationship. Perhaps Hetty sees herself when she looks at the young Analyst. Miss Jones is highly intelligent (a higher IQ than any other current NCIS employee “The Fifth Man” 4×03), and is apparently undergoing extensive training in marksmanship and self-defense. But the connection seems to be even deeper than aptitude and skills. The Operations Manager has entrusted Nell with personnel information, codes, and access to files. We have seen Nell in the incinerator room, destroying documents at Hetty’s request. If anyone knows Hetty’s whereabouts, or what weapons Hetty has checked out of the armory, it is Nell. Although we don’t know to what degree, she has been allowed access to Hetty’s secret world. Sam once asked Callen the question that many of us have asked ourselves: “You think she’s grooming Nell for something more?” [“Cyber Threat” 3×02]. In the finale of the fifth Season [“Deep Trouble” 5×24], Hetty is preparing to leave for D.C. to face the consequences for her part in the “botched” White Ghost mission. She seems less secure regarding her future than we have ever seen. She leaves the young Analyst with a plan and then embraces her, seemingly finding some degree of comfort in knowing she is leaving things in good hands. It would seem that this petite Intelligence Analyst has been permitted beneath the Kevlar; she has found her way into Hetty’s heart.

What do you think? Is Hetty leaving for good? Has she been overseeing Nell’s training to be a Field Agent, or is she grooming her for something more?

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