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Did NCIS: New Orleans really just kill off one of its original characters?

NCIS: New Orleans opted for a heartbreaking but powerful episode. Did the show really just kill off one of its main characters, though?

Caution: There are spoilers in this post for NCIS: New Orleans Season 6, Episode 6.

NCIS: New Orleans Season 6, Episode 6 promised us an intense episode. There was even a hint that we’d find out who killed Cade Lasalle. What we didn’t expect was to lose one of our original characters from the series. There had been no hints about this, not really. Sure, we know that characters can be killed off, but usually there’s a warning by the actor announcing their departure, especially as a series regular.

That didn’t happen this week. So, it’s certainly left many people wondering whether NCIS: New Orleans really has killed off one of its original characters.

We have said goodbye to Lasalle

Sadly, we’ve seen the last of Christopher Lasalle. Played by Lucas Black, Lasalle was on a mission of revenge over the last few episodes. After finding out his brother was missing, he found out that Cade had been killed and he wanted to get answers. Naturally, that was going to lead to a major storyline. What we didn’t expect was that it would end with Lasalle’s death.

Looking back, it’s really the only way this storyline could have ended with a powerful punch. Lasalle has been through plenty of loss over the year. He’s brushed himself down and focused back on the job. Losing his brother felt bigger. I don’t think he was ever going to be able to deal with that anger and grief afterward, even once he caught the guy who did it.

NCIS: New Orleans certainly delivered a beautiful episode. We saw each of the characters think back at the way Lasalle had helped them in the past. It was a chance to see the mark he was leaving behind, and we all have our favorite moments, right?

NCIS: New Orleans played it right with the shock

I know some fans would have preferred knowing that the death was coming, but I’m glad that we didn’t know Lasalle was leaving the series. We could get behind his search for answers, but the death felt just as powerful and as shocking as it was for the entire team. We could feel what each of them were feeling throughout the episode.

I’m impressed with how well the show kept the spoilers away. It helped that the death happened inside a set. There was little chance of anyone getting snaps of the events. Not seeing Black for a few episodes of filming wouldn’t mean too much with a show like NCIS and its spin-offs. We could just assume that he was in the set filming more often. It was certainly easier to do this than it would be for some other shows, and that made the moment all the more heartbreaking.

The rest of NCIS: New Orleans isn’t going to be the same, but that doesn’t mean we’re not going to watch, right?

More: All the Amazon Originals coming out in November, including Jack Ryan and more

What did you think of NCIS: New Orleans‘ big, shocking decision? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

NCIS: New Orleans Season 6 continues on Tuesdays at 10/9c. watch live and on-demand with CBS All Access through Amazon Channels.