Author => Diane

Paper Soldiers Review (4×13) by Phillydi

413_promo22-38-46

Paper Soldiers (4×13)

Written by: Jordana Lewis Jaffe
Directed by Terrence O’ Hara

The Doctor is in! Our favorite Operational Psychologist, Nate Getz is back in the Mission and if the trailers were any indication of how this show was going to go, we knew we were going to be in for a lot of laughs. It’s great to see Peter Cambor reprise his role as Nate and I always look forward to his camera time, specifically with Linda Hunt. According to EW Online: “This episode is a must-see for fans of both Nate and Hetty,” executive producer Shane Brennan says. “Not only do we get to have Nate guest in the episode, but we get to see him go undercover with Hetty. It’s one of the most memorable, funny undercover operations we’ve done on the series.”

Jordana Lewis Jaffe (Honor) and Terrence O’Hara (Endgame) are also returning this season in their respective craft to lead the cast in search of a possible cover-up in the death of a fallen marine. The show begins as guest star Jonathan Murphy (Ian Brockhurst)leaves the morgue right before a break-in occurs. Our thief doesn’t get to enjoy his spoils very long and we’re off and running. The thief turns out to be a private detective hired by the Marine’s wife who was killed in Afghanistan. She’s is suspicious of his death and now there are two people dead… Is there a Marine cover-up going on?

Hurray! Rose is back too! Love seeing all these recurring characters back at NCIS. After meeting with Rose, the team determines that Lt. Prietto’s body was used for organ donations, but his widow is adamant he would never have been a donor. Now Prietto’s file is missing and security cameras show the detective leaving with the evidence. But it’s Nate to the rescue as we see the return of the roving Psychologist… and the dreaded Psych Evals! Not really, it was just a ruse to get Nate to return to the Mission. Hetty has a secret mission for Nate. I love how 6’5” Peter Cambor has to stand three steps below Hetty in order to be at the same eye level. Great visual!

In the meantime, Callen is sure someone is hiding something in the death of the Marine. Too many details are just not adding up and now his widow has taken it out of the agents’ hands by going to the press to find her answers. Kensi and Deeks question another Marine that was injured the day Prietto was murdered. He immediately becomes tight-lipped after finding Prietto has died. Back at the morgue, Ian Bruckhurst gives Callen and Sam the final autopsy report showing Preitto died of a single gunshot wound but it’s still not enough to answer why he was killed.

Finally, the detective’s hard drive gives the team their first person of interest….Rose. Pictures of her are found on the drive, and Nate refused to believe she is involved in the cover-up. Hetty is going to push all of Nate’s buttons next by having him do the interrogation. It’s time to play the pawn and if that’s not bad enough, Kensi and Deeks are searching her house for evidence. Lo and behold…they find the Marine’s morgue file. Rose is in denial and points out that her signature has been forged in the file reports. With a little Eric and Nell magic, the teams finds out the real culprit…Ian Bruckhurst who has been working with the Funeral Home in the sale of black market tissue donors.

The scene with Hetty and Nate or should I say Beatrice Fitzpatrick and Chester (and don’t forget Felix) was vintage NCISLA. Now you know why we miss Nate so much! I don’t know who was better keeping in character (Don’t pretend you knew Daddy!) but I haven’t laughed this much in ages! It was like watching an episode of the Adams Family! Creepy and spooky! It was a joy to see the two of them together again. Don’t stay away too long Nate Getz! I think we should start a campaign to get Nate to return to the Mission. What do you think?

413_promo22-39-06

Between 2005-2009, there was an increase in the amount of illegal trading of human tissue being sold on the black market. Apparently it’s a billion dollar market. Jaffe has written another great episode based on current affairs.

Highlights from the Show

Kensi? A serial plant killer? A mug shot at the nursery? I know how you feel, girlfriend! At least one thing Kensi and I have in common…a brown thumb! It seems Kensi’s penchant for killing plants is also shared by Jaffe . Fun opening scene with all the gang. Great to see them being so silly.
If the open scene can’t get much crazier, we then have Eric milking a sideways cow to call everyone up to Ops! He’s being a mime… of course! Stick to your day job, Eric! Good advice from Sam…”Go method!”
Does it surprise you that Hetty plays chest with Gorbachev? Nah.
Callen getting dating tips from Nate was priceless… Oh, Callen… that wasn’t nice, he was just trying to see how you were doing… but it was funny. (Nate: I hate it when he does that!)
Did you get the feeling Sam was enjoying his encounter with Hetty in the Funeral House just a little too much? Shorty? I wouldn’t want to be Sam when they return to the Mission! (Sam: I’m sensing some hostility here.)
Final last words on Sam: Got to love a man in uniform!

Best Lines from the Show

Eric: Nell and I kissed.

Nell: This is not happening.

Eric: I’m pretty sure it was just to get me in a pair of tights. So I’m just going to put it out there.

*****

Deeks: Holy Dewey decimal system!

****

Sam: Hetty’s being nice.

Hetty: Hetty is always nice. (Go Hetty!)

****

Eric: I’m sorry, someone had some really pungent sauerkraut for lunch, and it’s throwing me off my game. (Don’t hear that line, everyday!)

****

Hetty: You remember Felix, sweetheart. I skinned him myself.

Nate: Please tell me you’re in character.

Bromance Moments

Deeks make the Bromance section this week!

Deeks: Alright, Kensi just pulled up blaring My Chemical Romance, which means she’s not her cheerful, chipper self, so I think we should just probably play it cool.

Sam: Deeks, I always play it cool.

Callen: I’m actually playing aloof, which is the anti-social version of cool.

Sam: Ok, so if I’m cool and you’re aloof, what does that make you?

Deeks: Enigmatic?

Callen: No, Hetty is enigmatic. You are…

Deeks: Charming?

Callen: Puerile.

Deeks: Handsome?

Sam: Otiose. It means pointless.

413_promo22-38-37

Densi Moments

We’re touché(ing) again. Kensi continues to enjoy teasing Deeks, but do you get the feeling Deeks is not enjoying it as much?

Deeks: What are you squinting at? Time for some granny glasses?

Kensi: No, I’m trying to visualize what you look like behind a desk as a public defender. Clean shaven, short hair…

Deeks: I looked exactly like this.

Kensi: Like this? Clients actually put their hands in this?

Deeks: First off I was very good in my job.

Kensi: Says you.

Deeks: Secondly, my clients were assigned to me so they didn’t have a choice.

Kensi: Oh, I know the feeling.

Deeks: And thirdly.

Kensi: Third.

Deeks: Thirdly. Everyone knows that public defenders are rebels of the legal profession.

Kensi: Rebel without a due process clause?

Deeks: Kensi made a legal funny. Pretty proud of yourself? You know what? I’ll give it to you. Touché!

Kensi: Touché!

****

Did you hear Deeks’ new nickname for Kensi: Kensalina? Really, Deeks?

The show is going to be taking a break for a week but come back again for a new review the following week! In the meantime, check out my interview later this week with Jonathan Murphy who played Ian Bruckhurst. See you SOON!

NCISLA Magazine Visits Set of NCIS Los Angeles – Part Two –

sindee & Diane at Paramount Lot Stage 8&9 Entrance ©sindee

In Part One on Tuesday, I described what it was like to visit the Paramount Studio sets of NCIS Los Angeles. After getting a tour of the lot, we were escorted into Studios 8 & 9 to visit the home of NCISLA. The first floor of the Mission was amazing and we had a chance to visit all the iconic places that we watched every week on our TV screen. It was time to explore the top floor of Ops and as we walked up the tile floor, sindee and I tried to act very nonchalant but things were getting exciting. As we stood in front of the entrance to Ops my eyes were as big as platters. Standing around the Ops table was the rest of the cast waiting for the scene to begin. We were encouraged to get up as close as possible to watch the scene being filmed. Well, you didn’t have to tell me twice! I stood in the doorway but quickly realized that if I didn’t pay attention, I was going to bump right into Linda Hunt who was standing a foot in front of me waiting for her entrance. She really is very small and petite and obviously very cold as she was bundled in a long winter coat to keep warm.

The scene began as Chris O’Donnell walked into Ops to assume his place around the table. The director, Steven DePaul called for action and we watched as the cast recited their lines from a unique camera angle. Cut! We watched again as the same scene was filmed from a new angle. It was fascinating to see the controlled chaos revolving around us. Makeup and hair artists scurried around the cast, technicians adjusted the lightening and prop masters put final touches on the set in between every take.

After a couple of takes, the members of the cast took a break and walked out of Ops. Suddenly I was surprised to see Eric Christian Olsen standing directly in front of me holding his hand out to say hello! Daniela Ruah and LL were close behind and we were delighted when Daniela welcomed us both with a huge hug! Chris joined them and we talked about how far we had traveled and Chris and Daniela thanked us for the special mugs we had created for each of the cast from the magazine covers.

sindee & Diane with Eric Christian Olsen ©sindee

Before we knew it they were all called back into Ops to start filming again and Erin ushered us into a small area to continue watching the filming from a room that was built for the director and the other tech crew. The room was filled with multiple monitors that would capture the cast from all different angles. While there we had a chance to talk to Stephen DePaul (director), Diana Valentine (script supervisor), Brook Stenstrom (hair) and Chris Burgoyne (makeup) and a number of other technical staff who were constantly walking in and out of the room. It was a joy to talk to them all about their job and it was so amazing how warm and welcoming they all were towards us.

sindee & Diane with Barrett Foa & Chris O’Donnell ©sindee

We still had some more fun waiting for us when we heard Eric Christian Olsen calling for us from down the hall. We asked if he would take some pictures with us and Eric entertained us with stories about his really bad German accent in Beerfest (“Towards the end of the film, I sounded more Jamaican than German!”). Barrett Foa stopped by to say hi and luckily we had a chance to take a great picture with him and Chris before we had to leave. Unfortunately, we never did get to say hello to Renee Felice Smith (who was very busy in Ops) which was very disappointing but she sent us a very sweet tweet later to say hello.

Our final stop as we left the sound stage was outside in front of the front doors of the Mission. We noticed the condemned sign was missing, but we stopped to imagine Sam or Callen’s cars parked outside of these two giant doors. The space seemed smaller than it looks on screen but there have been some fun scenes filmed at this location especially the episode where Callen replaces Sam’s lost Charlene with a new Challenger. Great memories! It was a fitting ending to our visit.

sindee & Diane "outside" NCISLA Mission ©sincee

sindee & Diane “outside” NCISLA Mission ©sindee

The day was almost complete…but not yet! There was still one more special person we were looking forward to meet but he was missing in action! Dave Kalstein was on a set location visit and wouldn’t be returning to Paramount until 4 pm. Erin assured us if we could hang around a bit more he would like to meet us. How could we say no?! We had some lunch at the commissary, walked around the gift store and sat outside in the warm LA breeze to wait for Dave to join us. Before long we saw Dave walking up to greet us with a surprise guest in tow….Rafael Kayanan! What a treat to meet both Dave and Rafael and be able to sit down and talk to them about our visit and this wonderful show that we all have come to love so much. We talked about the new spin-off and about what made the franchise so successful and why it was so well- loved by all the fans. After signing a copy of his book for us to auction off for the ASPCA and a script for me to cherish, there were hugs all around and it was time to go.

sindee & Diane with Dave Kalstein & Rafael Kayanan ©sindee

Mark Harmon’s Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame ©sindee

Two days later we completed our NCIS pilgrimage by walking to Hollywood and Vine in search of Mark Harmon’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Harmon received the 2,482nd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 1, 2012. After taking the obligatory picture of Mark’s special star, we wondered if one day we would see an NCISLA star sharing that same honor. Fingers crossed!

What can I say? It was a fairy-tale week from start to finish. It took days for me to finally grasp all that happen on that visit. It was really very surreal and hard to comprehend that we got to visit with all these special people. A big thank you goes out to all the cast and crew for making our time in Los Angeles so memorable and enchanting. You guys are the best!

Drive (4×11) Review by Phillydi

Drive (4×11)

WRITTEN BY: Joe Sachs
DIRECTED BY: Steven DePaul

Drive will always be a special episode for me because sindee and I were there on set the day they were filming in Ops at the beginning of the show. To see all these wonderful actors that I enjoyed so much working only a few feet in front of me was an indescribable moment. ( I’ve written about our special day on the Paramount lot in a two part blog that you can find by going to In the Bullpen with Phillydi.) I was looking forward to finding out more about the story line since at the time we could only get bits and pieces from the scene in Ops.….so to see the final product was very exciting. Joe Sachs penned two of my favorite episodes from last year (Higher Power & The Dragon and the Fairy) and Steven DePaul (The Debt) was a treat to speak during a short break as we watched the filming outside of Ops. In this episode the team is after a terrorist ring involved in international car shipping and Deeks has a contact from his past that is their target. According to NCISLA Connect, this episode was based on a 1997 FBI investigation of stolen SUV’s that were smuggled from LA to Latin America.

Right off the bat, it was great to see the story line open with a call to Deeks…another first for the show. I remember driving over the Fourth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles but this time it looked a lot scarier for Marty’s friend Jenny Radler who is abducted while on the phone with Deeks. Somehow she knows there’s an international terrorist ring stealing SUVs and shipping them to be used as para-military vehicles half-way across the world. With very few leads to go on and a daughter that wants nothing to do with her mother, the team is stumped. Ah, but not for long….. Sam remembers their informant, Jaime from Season Three (Greed) who may be able to give them some critical leads on other stolen SUVs throughout the city.

The team sends Kensi undercover as a shady mechanic, looking for work in a chop shop that Jaime has identified as a possible front for the SUV thefts. With a little help from Deeks, she shows them how resourceful she can be in technically procuring a stolen vehicle. (‘Wheel ‘em in Krafty.”)

Next, the spotlight turns to Allison Hall, who is the owner of one of the stolen SUVs. Between her strange behavior and spending habits, the tech team suspects something weird is going on. Later, Radler’s daughter is also demonstrating some strange behavior as she drives along the streets of LA. (Hetty: “Either that or she’s selling Girl Scout cookies.” LOL!) When Callen and Sam rescue her from an assault, she tells them her mom is going to be killed unless she gives them her computer. It turns out Radler was finally clean and getting her life together working as a bookkeeper for Vargas who is the chief suspect in the international car theft ring. Radler has audio- password protected the evidence of Vargas’ criminal involvement on her daughter’s computer. With a little ingenuity, Callen finds the key in an audio birthday card! With a list of VIN numbers found encrypted on the computer file, the team has what it needs to implement Vargas and the others involved in the terrorist activity.

I enjoyed the final scene in which Kensi and Deek’s cover is blown and the cavalry of Callen and Sam have to come in and save the day. And Jaime getting caught underneath the car again was a fun touch.

There was a little bit of something for everyone in this episode. It was nice to see our heroes struggle with their New Year’s resolutions just like we all do. We got to find out more about Eric’s collection of action figures and we started the episode off with a serious Deeks being called in to assist a damsel in distress. But I couldn’t believe I missed all the hints at the beginning with Deeks making sure Kensi knew it was January 8! Of course…it was Deeks birthday! In Season One we found out that Deeks was born on January 8, 1979 and leave it to Hetty to pull out the expensive bubbly to celebrate. At least someone remembered!

Highlights from the Show

Nice to see a serious Deeks start off the show. You are reminded why he became a prosecutor and a detective. He cares about the people he helps and shows it in the open scenes.
Oh boy…You got to love Eric for hanging in there with Nell. He’s still trying to finding out as much information as he can about her. Eric: What if I have to call you? Nell: Why would you have to call me? Eric: If there is an emergency at work. Nell: I’ll have the pager. Eric: How very 1980’s of you. So what’s that number? Nell: Hetty has it. Dead in the water again, but he keeps trying!
Jaime’s reaction was priceless when he finds out Kensi is going to help him infiltrate a body shop as an undercover car thief . ‘That’s loco, what you been smoking cuz?!’ Ah, Jamie….you know Kensi is one tough chica!
Did you notice that the restaurant at the end of the show was actually the NCIS driveway (with a few alternations) where Hetty and Callen usually park their cars?

Best Lines from the Show

Hetty: Mr. Deeks and I enjoyed the sunrise this morning ….it was glorious.

Deeks: Cell phones! Get them while they’re hot….get them while they’re phones!! (What????)

Callen: Kensi you drive like an old lady.

Sam: Could have totally nailed your ass!

Sam: You remember that orange soda you had for lunch…well 41 milligrams of caffeine.

Callen: Oranges do not have caffeine.

Sam: Well there aren’t any oranges in what you were drinking. Just corn syrup, red dye 40, yellow dye 6….caffeine.

Callen: Ah, mh….why didn’t you tell me?

Sam: You were irritable…it was driving me crazy.

Bromance Moments

Poor Callen….Sam has no faith in his New Year’s resolution: Sam: Double shot of expresso G! Sealed and untouched. You must be ready for a little pick-me up.

Hetty: Send Mr. Callen and Mr. Hanna to the scene.

Eric: Crockett, Tubbs are you still with me? (A little homage to Miami Vice…nice.)

NCIS: LOS ANGELES

Densi Moments

Deeks: I’m pretty in touch with my feminine side.

Kensi: Yeah, see that’s the problem. If you did have a feminine side, you’d be touching it all the time.

Deeks: Wow….and yet so true.

Kensi: Well done, counselor.

Deeks: I thought that went well.

Funny how Deeks overhears Kensi making a dinner reservation but walks away calmly. He figures she’s making a date for his birthday celebration. But my heart broke when Kensi tells him the date was with some else. Did you see the look on his face? Ah, poor Deeks. At least she stood him up for Jaime!

NCIS: LOS ANGELES

Check out about our time spent on set during this episode in my column “In the Bullpen, with Phillydi. Next week, Nate’s back! What more is there to say…except we are excited to see Peter Cambor back on screen where he should be with his fellow NCISLA co-stars in the next episode… Paper Soldiers. See you next week for another review on NCISLA Magazine!

NCISLA Magazine Visits Set of NCIS Los Angeles – Part One –

It was the opportunity of a lifetime. A chance to fly out to Los Angeles and meet the cast and crew of NCIS Los Angeles! My partner in crime, sindee and I had just launched a new online site which was an off shoot of her very popular NCISLA Fan Blog. With an idea to make the new site look and feel different with original material and information coming out 24/7 we worked long and hard to create what was to become NCISLA Magazine. The new site was unveiled at the beginning of September and we were very proud of the results… but what would the NCISLA team think?

Our site visit was set for the beginning of November. Although I had lived in the San Francisco Bay area years ago, this was my first trip to Los Angeles. sindee and her husband, Mark were old pros, having visited the City of Angels many times in the past, so they graciously acted as my tour guide on this trip. On the first day we visited many tourist hot spots that also happen to be some of the great location sites used on many episodes for the show. It was fun exploring the famous Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, Marina del Rey and Hollywood Boulevard which were all iconic tourist sites but I was seeing them all through NCISLA eyes. “Look, that’s where Callen ran up the escalators… Deeks and Kensi were walking on this side of the pier… That’s where Sam parked his Challenger!” Not exactly highlights in the LA Michelin guide book, but definitely a thrill for me to see for the first time.

NCISLA “Touch of Death” (3×21) Location ©sindee

The day before the site visit we received an invitation to visit Eric Linden (Chris O’Donnell’s stunt double) at his studio Action Factory Stunts. Eric and his fellow stuntmen were busy that day working out the choreography for a new video they were scheduled to shoot with Sam & Niko, the creators of several famous short films as Corridor Digital. It was fascinating and revealing time spent learning about the craft and how much work goes into one small part of a video. Eric and Joe Fidler took us through some of the fight choreography that they had been working on and Eric explained all the preparation and safety precautions that are used for each scene. It was such an enjoyable and informative day and we really want to thank Eric for inviting us to visit! (More on Action Factory Stunts in a future edition of NCISLA Magazine when we sit down with Eric Linden for an interview regarding his work on the show and his life as a stunt artist.)

The evening before our visit to the NCISLA set reminded me of the night before Christmas when I was 6 years old and waiting for Santa Clause to come down the chimney! I was so excited, I couldn’t sleep. I was finally going to meet a group of people who I have admired for their ability to entertain and bring so much enjoyment to their fans. I knew it was going to be a day I would never forget!

sindee and I set off mid-morning for Paramount Studios. Our contact was Erin, Shane Brennan’s assistant and she was meeting us once we got through the gates of the studio. Erin took us for a walking tour of the famed Paramount studio complex and despite the extreme heat that day, I was mesmerized by the sights and sounds of the myriad of employers going about their business on this magical piece of land. We passed city facades, makeup trailers and Forrest Gump’s bench (yes, the real one used in the movie!) until we finally stood in front of Studios 8 & 9. The door that led us to the magical world of NCIS Los Angeles was very unassuming. But once we entered, we were greeted by a huge wall filled with a promotional portrait of Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J. This has got to be the place!

Paramount Lot Stage 8&9 Entrance ©sindee

Erin led us into a very cold but refreshing sound stage with food carts, extras buried in their e-readers and carpenters building new sets. I didn’t know what to look at first. Our first set we walked into was the gym and weapons range. Directly next to that was the arsenal. I expected things to appear different but I was surprised how everything was exactly the way it looked on the TV screen. Most of the set was in dim lighting but we had a chance to walk around and explore the nooks and corners of the rooms. Next was the interior of the boathouse and it was fun to find all the places you don’t get to see as you watch the show. We knew what was down the hall and couldn’t wait to enter the interrogation room. How cool was this??!! sindee and I took turns pretending to be our favorite NCIS agents grilling the bad guy on the other side of the table. We definitely felt like two kids let loose in a candy shop. What a thrill!

It was time to go to Stage 9 where the cast and crew would be filming a scene from episode 11 (Drive) in the Ops center. Before we walked on the set, we met some of the sound crew including Adam Key (@artwercadam) who gave us our headsets. As we entered the hallowed halls of the Mission, I couldn’t stop smiling. As much as I was looking forward to meeting the cast and crew, I was humbled to be standing right smack dab in the middle of the Mission! It was an amazing experience. As I got to walk around Hetty’s office examining her wonderful knick-knacks, I was in NCISLA heaven! The details of her office are seared into my mind. So many dramatic scenes and amusing conversations at her desk raced through my mind at the same time. Some of the best scenes from the show took place in this eclectic office of memories.

Hetty’s Office ©sindee

We walked out of Hetty’s office and into the bullpen and my first stop had to be Deeks’ desk. Compared to his fellow agent’s desks, his area looked very neat and organized. Hmmm… looks like Deeks’ was holding out on us! Kensi’s desk on the other hand, was filled with clutter and silly knick-knacks, Sam had a collection of his origami creations lined up neatly in a row and I still smile every time I remember the bottle of aspirins on Callen’s desk. The desk tops were all so typical of the characters who sat behind them.

After a tour of the Mission’s wardrobe room and the tech center we began our trip up the stairs to Ops. Everything had been very quiet to this point. We got to meet a number of crew members taking care of business on the first floor of the Mission but it wasn’t until we climbed the stairs that we could feel the energy starting to swirl. As we reached the top of the stairs, support crew lined the wall waiting to be called to do their jobs but our attention was turned to the bright lights emanating from Ops. And who should we see sitting outside of Ops and studying his script but Chris O’Donnell! If we had been amazed by what we saw on the first floor of the mission… we hadn’t seen anything yet!

Find out more on Wednesday when I reveal what happen next on our set visit to the set of NCIS Los Angeles! [EDIT: Find Part Two here…]

Free Ride (4×10) Review by Phillydi

Free Ride (4×10)

WRITTEN BY: Tim Clemente and R. Scott Gemmill
DIRECTED BY: Jonathan Frakes

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a holiday episode from the cast and crew of NCIS LOS ANGELES. This is the second holiday episode directed by Jonathan Frakes. From all the location pictures taken during the filming, it looks like Mr. Frakes and the crew spent a fun time together. This is the first script from Tim Clemente since Season One (Blood Brothers) and it was also co-written with R. Scott Gemmill. The team is investigating the death of one of their own. I may be mistaken, but I think this is the first time Callen and the crew has gone on location aboard a US Navy ship. As a trainer for the Navy, I spent many hours on board ship and it was nice to see the gang actually working in a naval environment.

The opening scene finds special agent afloat Niles lying dead at the bottom of a ladder and it seems Christmas is going to have to wait for the crew as they fly out to the USS Van Buren to investigate. (Much of this episode was filmed on board the decommissioned USS Iowa which is now a museum in the Port of Los Angeles.). I really enjoyed Deeks’ rant about flying in the C2 Greyhound. Having flown in one of the aircrafts, I can really appreciated his apprehension!

@cbs

While Callen interrogates the two enlisted men who may have had something to do with the death of the NCIS agent, Deeks is in search of a Starbucks. (Wait until he finds out his morning coffee is going to come out of a huge urn. LOL!) Getting a bit bored with his tour of the ship (and lack of interest from his pretty escort) Deeks decides it’s time to go undercover. Poor Sam, he has to get Deeks out of trouble already. But being the exceptional undercover agent that he is, Deeks has discovered the first clue… Niles was killed somewhere else on the ship.

Meanwhile, Kensi is involved in apprehending the ship’s Master Chief who has gone crazy attacking crew members. The cause is attributed to cocaine toxicity. All of a sudden, there are a lot sailors and marines testing positive for drug use on this ship and Callen is having a hard time trying to convince the Executive Officer there is a drug problem. The team surmises that Niles was killed when he discovered who was smuggling the drugs on board. With everybody denying the drug use, is there a set up going on? Or is someone trying to sabotage the ship? With a ship this big, it’s not going to be easy tracking down the evidence they need to find the murderer, not to mention how hard it will be to watch each other’s back. Too many strange things going on here and when Deeks is missing in action after finding where Niles was actually killed… the team goes into full search and rescue mode to find the killer.

This episode is based on a real-life FBI case. Tim Clemente was a former FBI agent who worked undercover in narcotics and drug smuggling. It seems crazy that smugglers can conceal cocaine in paint, concrete and plaster… but Mr. Clemente should know. In our story the cocaine leaked into the food supply from the paint and caused the cocaine toxicity when ingested by the crew.

How great was it to see Hetty show up on board dressed in full flight gear!??? I was so happy to see she had to be with her team at the holidays even if she sends Sam home to spend Christmas with his own family. Did you ever see Sam so happy? And what can we say about our favorite geeks? Nell really got into that kiss under the mistletoe, didn’t she? Maybe she’s finally warming up to the possibility of a romance between her co-worker?

There was a lot of fun and merriment going on in this episode, exactly what you want to see for a holiday episode. Romance and Bromance was in the air and holiday cheer was in full swing. Everything we needed for one short hour to take our minds off of some of the sad events going on right now. Thanks go out to the cast and crew for putting a smile on our face tonight.

Highlights From the Show

I really enjoyed Eric trying to comfort Nell regarding their lost Christmas. The team all means so much to each other and they have become a working family. It was sweet to see her so upset that they wouldn’t be able to spend the holidays together. I think this was first time Eric didn’t have to try so hard around Nell either. Although, you have to feel for the man when Nell asks him to wear leggings as part of his elf costume. There’s only so much you will do for love… but then again… maybe not! One kiss was all it took!

We get to hear more about Sam’s wife in this episode. He’s still worried that Sidirov will try and find her while he’s gone and his worst nightmare comes true when he can’t get through to her while he is on board ship. Of course Callen is always there to reassure his partner that all is well.

Best Lines from the Show

Sam: Come on Deeks… pull your skirt down, I hardly hit you.

Deeks: Yeah I know I was just in character.

Sam: You’ve been on the ship less than an hour and you’re already in trouble.

Hetty: Mr. Beale, you have elf head.

Deeks: Just for the record this is a gross misuse of my undercover talent.

Hetty: If you truly feel that way, you can go in as a Marine as well. Just let me get my clippers.

Deeks: What clippers?

Kensi: You’re going to look so good with a high and tight!

Deeks: I have nerves of steel. I just think it’s a little disconcerting when the back of the plane opens like my garage door. It’s like a flying tool shed.

Callen: Deeks! I’m trying to sleep here.

Deeks: I’ll be sure to wake you when we crash into the ocean.

Deeks: Where I grew up special meant that you took the short bus and wore a helmet in the sandbox.

Sam: That’s almost as funny as you telling those two sailors that you kicked my ass.

(Great Kensi snort!)

Bromance Moments

Callen can be such a ball and chain! But you have to giggle every time he tries to get Sam hot under the collar:

Callen: As you know the memory is the first to go!

Sam: You’re not helping!

Callen: I’m not really trying.

Callen: I know that look.

Sam: You’re starting to sound like my wife. You know what they say when your partner starts sounding like your wife?

Callen: Get a new wife?

Sam: I’ll pretend you didn’t say that.

Callen: See, that’s the problem right there….you and I don’t talk. Communication goes; the relationship is soon to follow.

@cbs

Densi Moments

Why doesn’t Deeks just come out and ask Kensi for a date, for god’s sake! “Snowboarding during the day, roaring fire at night.” If that’s not a romantic getaway for two, I don’t know what is! Then he has to go and spoil it all by inviting her mom! I give up!

Deeks: Wow! Hello sailor.

Kensi: I’m a Marine Major.

Deeks: You’re a major hottie!

From the ‘what’s good for the goose is good for the gander’ file:

Deeks: I don’t know if you heard that but I have an escort.

Kensi: Fraternization is forbidden on board Deeks.

Deeks: Wow. Jealous much?

Sam and Callen turn the table on Deeks when they tease him about Kensi’s investigation on board.

Sam: Girls love their daddys. Ooo Rah!

Deeks is not liking Kensi’s escort so much either…especially after catching her casually touching his chest. Ah, Deeks, when are you ever going to learn, it all comes back to you eventually?

From everybody here at NCISLA Magazine have a happy holiday and wonderful New Year! Join us for the first episode of the new year… Drive (4×11) on January 11th, 2013. I’m very excited about this show since sindee and I were on set for this episode and the filming of a scene in Ops. Read about our magical experience being on set and meeting the cast and crew in my two part column during the week the episode is aired… Check out In the Bullpen by Phillydi.