Eric and Nell: Did They Sail Off Into the Sunset, or Dive Headfirst into a Vat of Soy Sauce?
Ah, Eric and Nell. The will-they-won't-they tech whizzes of NCIS: Los Angeles. They were the ultimate underdog couple, the googly-eyed goofballs who could crack a case faster than you could say "gigabytes of encrypted data." But then, season 12 rolled around, and things got a little... murky. Let's grab a virtual cup of cold brew (because Nell would totally approve) and dissect this whole "Eric and Nell leaving NCIS: LA" situation.
The Looming Shadow of Kaleidoscope
Remember Kaleidoscope, Eric's super-duper software that could, like, solve world hunger and predict the weather on Mars? Yeah, that little invention made him a tech millionaire (cue angelic choir music). But with great fortune comes great responsibility, or at least the responsibility to wear really expensive-looking scarves (because apparently that's what tech millionaires do). This whole "swimming in money" thing kind of threw a wrench into Eric and Nell's already rollercoaster relationship.
Hetty's Mysterious Absence (and Questionable Wig Choices)
Speaking of wrenches, let's not forget the ever-enigmatic Hetty Lange. Where was she during all this? MIA, on some secret mission that probably involved wrangling rogue penguins or single-handedly knitting a life-size replica of the White House out of pipe cleaners. Her absence left a big operational manager-shaped hole, which Nell was temporarily nudged into. Did this light a fire under Nell's career path? Absolutely. Did it also make her miss chasing cyber-criminals with Eric by her side? That answer, my friend, is as mysterious as Hetty's past.
The Tokyo Temptation: Ramen or Romance?
Then came the plot twist that left some fans cheering and others muttering about emotional whiplash. Eric's tech company got a sweet deal in Tokyo, and guess who he invited to be his right-hand tech wizard? Yep, Nell. Talk about a curveball! Tokyo offered adventure, a chance to build something new together, and let's be honest, some seriously amazing ramen. But it also meant leaving behind the team, the cases, and a life they'd built together at NCIS: LA.
The Tearful Goodbye (with Questionable Fashion Choices)
The final episode had us all sniffling into our tissues (because let's face it, goodbyes are hard, even fictional ones). Nell wrestled with her decision, torn between loyalty and a future filled with unidentifiable delicious noodles. Ultimately, she decided to take the leap with Eric. They said their goodbyes, complete with some questionable outfit choices (who knew Eric owned a fedora?), and rode off into the sunset (or more likely, onto a plane headed straight for Tokyo).
So, what does the future hold for Eric and Nell?
Will they conquer the tech world of Tokyo and become the ultimate power couple? Will they miss the thrill of chasing bad guys with Callen and Sam? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure: they left NCIS: LA with a bang (or maybe a whimper and a promise to visit, depending on how you look at it).
The End (But Hopefully Not Really)
Here's the kicker: the showrunners haven't completely slammed the door shut on Eric and Nell's return. So, who knows? Maybe they'll get tired of navigating the complexities of Japanese traffic and come crawling back to sunny Los Angeles. Until then, we'll just have to rewatch their best moments and dream of the delicious sushi they're probably devouring right now.
