Author => Diane

Dead Body Politic (4X04) Review by Phillydi

@cbs

Dead Body Politic (4X04)

Written by:  Jordana Lewis Jaffe

Directed by:  Tony Wharmby

 

Hi folks, and welcome back to another exciting episode of NCIS Los Angeles.  This time we’re going with an election themed episode which is very appropriate considering we are in the middle of another Presidential campaign here in the States.  Shane Brennan has told TV Line that the show hopes to “really touch a nerve with the audience in terms of what they think of politicians. We tried to make it very contemporary in that sense.”

The team gets involved when the aide of a senatorial candidate gets killed; possibly making it a matter of national security depending on whether or not it was an accident or murder.  Rachel Ticotin plays the feisty politician who is being called the everyman’s candidate but has a lot of enemies out there.  Unfortunately, she’s not doing well in the polls and now there are five targets…but only one dead staff member.

In goes Kensi as an undercover staff member for Tenez and Sam and Callen find a possible non-violent suspect who is a bit clueless.  (Sam:  The guy cares more about muffins than mayham.)  Could it be the campaign manager making false promises? Or is Tenez playing both sides?  After Tenez is targeted in an assassination attempt, the team is still left with a lot of questions and a candidate that has given up.  Leave it to our brilliant tech ops who finally discover that the campaign funds are going everywhere but into the campaign.  Hetty was right.  This was an inside job!

I realy enjoy when Kensi uses her old fashion woman’s intuition to identify the target and connect the dots.  With the rest of the team working solidly behind her, the real suspect is identified and killed.  Not exactly a case of national security but yes, the old folks definately took care of business!  Poor Mr. Deeks!

Show Highlights:

-Hetty practices a Tietan Yoga known as Tsa lung Trul Khor for her incredible heart rate.  I enjoyed the boys trying to keep up with the little ninja!

-Is it any surprise that Hetty is a political junky despite her dislike of the word?  But I would like to have front row seats to watch the show down!  Hetty for President, indeed!

-I guess there is no love lost between Hetty and the CIA or that was a very unique way of answering the phone!

-Don’t you want to know what happen during the 72 hours Hetty ruled Nicaragua?  I DO!

-Sam going eco in the Southland coffee shop was fun!

-Hetty’s running the Presidential debates!  No surprise there….

 

Best Lines from the Show:

  • Sam:  The last person who got into a political debate with Hetty ended up retired and on disability.
  • Callen:  I hear he’s back on solids.

 

  • Deeks:  Easy wonder twins, you’re scaring the old folks.
  • Sam:  Who you calling old?
  • Callen:  I would choose your next words wisely.
  • Deeks:  I don’t mean old from a physical stand point…because obviously… I mean from a metaphysical standpoint because you have a more mature spirit….
  • Sam:  Ah!
  • Callen:  Are you thinking, what I think you’re thinking?
  • Sam:  Yeah…push-ups.
  • Deeks:  No… no… why push-ups?  Oh God, really?  Push-ups?

 

  • Deeks:  Ok, you just made your ‘I just found a Kit Kat in my seat cushion face’.

 

Bromance Moments: 

So the boys are worried about getting old this time.  Don’t you enjoy listening to them worry together:

  • Sam:  I don’t need to sit….old people need to sit.
  • Callen:  You’re not worried about those push-ups are you?
  • Sam:  Who does Deeks think he is calling us old?
  • Callen: We’re not old, we’re wise.
  • Sam:  We’re sophisticated.
  • Callen: We’re…
  • Eric:  Wearing mikes!

 

Densi Moments:

-Kensi can’t get a break on her driving…Deeks:  No that’s ok, I can definitely walk to the curb from here.

-I enjoy how Deeks likes to taunt Kensi with his flirting.  As much as she tries to ignore it, we all know it bothers her somewhere deep down.

-Yes, Kensi….Deeks derriere is not too shabby.  But then you know that! LOL!

-Get a load of Deeks’ smile after Osborne calls Kensi a feisty stallion!  Deeks can only assume what happens after the lights go down!

–Freaks, Geeks and Deeks!  No more needs to be said! Except that Kensi is thinking about Deeks in the shower!  HA!

 

Please leave me your comments about tonight’s show and tell me what you think!  Hope to see you all back here next week with a new two part episod… Out of the Past and our  review on NCIS:LA Magazine!

 

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Happy Times with Charlene and Why Sam Still Misses Her by Phillydi

In 1970, Sam Hanna’s dad bought a brand new Dodge Challenger right off the line. This started a love affair between the man and the muscle car that has lasted until this day.  It’s the reason why he still drives one today.  But there was a unique Challenger Sam found later in life that he lovingly restored to perfection and named Charlene.  It was this car that held a special place in Sam’s heart.  So when the car was suddenly stolen one night, Sam was devastated and depressed…. although he would never come out and admit it to his concerned partner!

At first he thought his colleagues were playing a prank on him (Deeks being the first to one to be blamed, of course!).  As he grilled the team and strong-armed Eric to find his beloved Challenger, Callen became concerned that his partner was becoming more and more depressed and put out an APB to find the stolen car.  For Deeks it was just a car, something to get from point A to point B.  But as Kensi tried to explain to her indifferent partner, it was not just any car!  Oh, no!  It had a V8 Magnum and a 4 barrel carburetor with dual exhausts!  Truly a work of art and a car that defined the term swagger.

What is the mystery behind this iconic car that certainly beguiled our tough special agent and made a name for itself in the automotive industry?  NCIS:LA Magazine goes back in time to discover the origins of Sam’s beloved car, and find out why it became one of the most sought after collector cars today!

It all goes back to 1959 when the first Challenger called the Silver Challenger came off the assembly line.  Later Chrysler made three different generations of a new muscle car called the Dodge Challengers with the first being produced in 1970.   That’s when the new ‘pony’ car came into its own.  ‘Pony’ was the term used for all muscle cars that were out to compete against the Ford Mustang.  Chrysler wanted its new car to be the biggest and the best pony car out there.  The new Challenger shared its components with the Plymouth Barracuda but it was more than able to stand up next to the Mustang and Camaro’s of the day.  Chrysler also wanted its new upstart to be able to compete with the Cougar which was a more luxurious and expensive pony model.  So they designed the Challenger with a longer wheel base, larger dimensions and a more luxurious interior.  The base price on the car started at $4,480 in 1970.  Not exactly inexpensive when you started adding all the bells and whistles that made the car so sought after.

In 1970 more than 76,000 cars were produced by Chrysler.  The Dodge Challenger was among the fastest and wildest cars on the market and it created its own culture and buzz.  Although the muscle car was well-received by the public, the press was not so kind.  It was criticized for some of it drawbacks like poor outward visibility and feeling too bulky for its size.  Yet, despite its drawbacks, the 1970 Dodge Challenger is still prized by collectors today and one in mint condition can go for over $80,000 on the resale market.

By 1974 sales had fallen off and Chrysler ceased production, although Dodge resumed production later, the car is still selling over 28,000 models each year.

Kensi’s description of Sam’s Charlene may the DC T/A (Trans-Am) model.  It was a racing homologation car which Dodge built to race in the Sports Car Club of America.  There were less than 2500 of these models made.

The Challenger certainly has a unique personality much like many of its owners, including Sam Hanna. It’s a muscle car that has stood the test of time making it one of the alpha cars of its generation. Strong and imposing, the 1970 Challenger was an impressive car that turned heads.  Luckily for Sam, Callen couldn’t stand to see his friend suffer any longer over his loss and spent his rainy day fund to buy him another Challenger (Deeks:  With copious amounts of potential!) that Sam will once again restore and begin a whole new love affair with.  What name will Sam christen his new Challenger?  Callen suggested Jennifer but I guess we’ll have to wait and see.  Sam may never know Charlene’s fate (and Nell and Eric will never tell!), but it’s for sure he will never forget her.  Long live Charlene!

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Interview with Abbie Cobb – Part Two

On The Fifth Man, we are introduced to the show’s new character, Astrid.  In the second part of our interview with Abbie Cobb we get to ask more questions about her new role and find out what it was like behind the scenes on the set of NCIS Los Angeles.

In the first part of this interview, you spoke about some of the difficult roles you’ve had in the past. Speaking of difficult, can you tell us a little bit about Astrid and your new recurring role on NCIS Los Angeles?

This is one of the most challenging and exciting roles I’ve had. It’s so different from anything I’ve ever done on camera and I’m absolutely thrilled to explore this role!  Normally on other shows where I get to play someone superficial and mean, it’s fun but it’s not necessarily a challenge. With Astrid, I get to do a lot of character work, character study, and explore different ways I can play the character and hold my body and say my lines. She’s so different and I’m glad she’s returning because I fell in love with Astrid! It’s not determined when she will be back but I’m excited that she’s not going away.

My character is a high functioning autistic teen and that’s what makes her so unique and fun to explore. In trying to prepare for a role like that, I’ve realized she is the most interesting character I’ve ever played.  In the episode, her uniqueness and family background bring Kensi and Astrid together… that’s another reason to love the character—she has such a cool story!

What was your experience like on the set of NCIS Los Angeles? 

They were so great!  From the very top executive positions to the very bottom of the production chain, they were all classy and kind, excited about their job, and excited that you were there.  It’s such a rare find!  I’ve never had an experience like that where everyone you interact with is pleasant and loves their job until I walked on the set of NCIS:LA.  The actors were so incredible and welcoming and they were so kind when they didn’t have to be.  I’m just here to help move the story along, so when people go out of their way to interact with you and make you feel welcome and help you do your job, it just shows their true character as a human being.   The experience was awesome.

Who did you work with?

I met everyone at the table read and filmed with everyone except Barrett and Renee. I spent the most time with Daniela.

Astrid in the Boathouse with Kensi.

You were also lucky to be in an episode written by Dave Kalstein, one of our favorite writers on the show.

He was awesome.  I loved spending time with him and I think he’s super talented and I loved what he came up with!

Anything special happen on set with the cast you can talk about?

Before one of the scenes, Todd (LL Cool J) and I were walking through the set of the casino and people were calling to him from way across the casino floor… “I love you so much, you are so beautiful, you’re amazing!” There was an elderly lady with a walker, who had to be at least eighty years old, who shouted to him, “OOOoo! I love your body!” I laughed so hard…and I can’t imagine being around that everywhere you go! All in a day’s work for him.

I did get to meet the stars’ mothers who guest starred on the show, too.  There were these huge trailers set up for them!  The producers went out of their way to spoil them and I’m glad they did.  It seemed like they had a really good time.

We want to know what’s up next for Abbie Cobb!    Can you tell us about your next project and when your fans can expect to see you on film or TV again? 

I have a cool role in a new movie called The Umbrella Man and I’m super excited about it.  I’ve been describing it as a conspiracy theory drama… JFK with Kevin Costner meets Rabbit Hole with Nicole Kidman.   It’s a modern 2012 story but I’m playing a young Jackie Kennedy-type character.  We’re shooting now in Pittsburgh and Dallas.

I’m still recurring on Suburgatory, and the Secret Life of the American Teenager, and I have recurred recently on another show that I have guest starred on in the past but I can’t say what show until it airs!

Thanks Abbie for taking the time to speak with NCIS:LA Magazine!  It was a pleasure to get to know you and find out more about your career and your time spent on the set.  Abbie has promised to update us in the future when she returns to the role of Astrid on NCIS:LA.

If you want to find out more about her book and her future projects, please go to Abbie’s web site: www.abbiecobb.com.  You can also find her on Twitter:  @thelovelyabs and on Facebook: Abbie Cobb Fan Page.

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The Fifth Man Review by Phillydi

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The Fifth Man (4X03)
Written by Dave Kalstein
Directed by John Kousakis

Hello! Welcome back this week for a much anticipated episode written by our man Dave Kalstein! Ever since pictures of the team’s real-life mothers surfaced on the internet, fans were charmed by the images of these special moms with their four famous children. There was also some buzz about another female addition being added to the show on recurring bases. Kensi meets a way-ward teenage girl (played by Abbie Cobb) who reminds the agent what it was like to be hurt and vulnerable at such a young age. Looks like things are going to get real interesting.  Despite all the distractions, the team is also investigating the deaths of four people connected to a compromised intel operation.   Yep, just another day at the Mission, folks!

Dave starts the show off with a bang.  Four people dead, one missing.  The team has to find the missing team member who was part of a group, who had never met each other, but were selected to tap into a collective public intelligence to work together on a project – Operation Wide Awake.  There’s more than one suspect that the team is looking for including a young girl that Kensi and Deeks first encounter while searching for the missing team member.  It seems she’s involved with the group but in a very unique way.  Unfortunately, she knows too much and the team has to keep her safe…if they can find her.

The storyline between Kensi and Astrid has to pull at your heartstrings.   Despite Deeks wanting his partner to be cautious, Kensi can see a part of her own hurt reflected in the girl’s eyes and she just can’t look away.   But Kensi’s interaction with Astrid was great to watch.  Even Deeks was impressed!  In our interview with Cobb she feels Astrid is one of the most interesting characters she’s ever played.  “My character is a high functioning autistic teen and that’s what makes her so unique and fun to explore. Her uniqueness and family background bring Kensi and Astrid together… that’s another reason to love the character—she has such a cool story!”  (Check out the second part of our interview with Abbie on Thursday where she talks more about Astrid and her time spent on the set.)

When the team finds out (with Nell’s help) that Operation Wide Awake is a bust, they deduce the director of the project had to kill the group of intel workers to keep the word from getting out. Unfortunately, Astrid doesn’t have much time if the director finds her first.

Since Astrid (hopefully) will become a recurring character… it’s safe to say all ended well.  The last scene in the boathouse with Kensi and Astrid was fun to watch and put a smile on my face.  Abbie Cobb was terrific as Astrid and a great choice to play the autistic teen.  We’re looking forward to her return to the show soon.

Show Highlights

  • Even though we got a sneak preview of the moms in action, it was fun to see them perform in the context of the storyline.  And they did great despite some of their children’s misgivings:  Chris thought Shane Brennan’s invitation was a joke at first. Eric didn’t know they would have dialogue but loved seeing her in makeup.  LL was so nervous for his mom and Daniela was scared that her mother could trip over the wiring! But they were as composed and talented as their kids and proved the fruit doesn’t fall too far from the tree!
  • Gotta remember the bad sushi move! As long as I don’t have to tell Callen….
  • Since Dave Kalstein is a Sayoc Practitioner, we got to see the team train in the fighting art at the opening of the show.  I think Dave needs to give Deeks hands on training!
  • Hetty and Nell are precious together.  So much respect there.
  • Nice to see ECO in a breast cancer public service announcement.  Way to go Eric!

Best Lines from the Show

Deeks:  You know what they say….what happens in Vegas…..

Kensi:  Will leave you curled up in a little fetal position begging for mercy.

Deeks:  Promise?

******

Hetty:  This is a chair, Ms. Jones.  Sit in it!

******

Deeks:  I love a little butter with my cheese.

******

Deeks:  Just to be clear, I am always in your league!

Kensi:   In your dreams!

Deeks:  All the time.

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Bromance Watch

Looks like there is a little bit of bromance continuing between Sam and Deeks.  I think Sam is one up on Deeks this time!  

*******

A good bromance starts with a good upbringing and your mother should know:

Mom 1:  Now that’s what I call two well-mannered young men!

Mom 2:  Someone certainly taught them well!

 

Densi Watch

  • I think Kensi was really jealous of Deek’s Vegas date
  • Deeks got the last Touché in!  Good for you Deeks!
  • See!  It’s apparent to everyone who sees them:     Mom 3:  What a handsome couple they are!  Where did that brunette get those legs?
  • I love when Kensi tries to throw Deeks off her true feelings.  I mean what girl in her right mind has had enough Deek- time?  I mean really?
  • Deeks finds out a very sensitive piece of information about Kensi’s past.  I wonder how it will affect their relationship in the future…hmmm.  It seemed to shake him up a little.
  • Fern’s back!!!
  • Astrid is quite perceptive…even she knows there is a Densi.  Sweet!

 

We’ll be back next time with our review for Dead Body Politic (4X04).  Don’t forget to read the second part of our interview with Abbie Cobb on Thursday when she talks more about her recurring role as Astrid!

 

 

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Interview with Abbie Cobb – Part One

At the beginning of Season Four it was announced that the show would be introduced to a new and recurring character, and there was a lot of speculation by the fans on who this mystery person was and how the relationship would affect the team and in particular, Kensi.  In the The Fifth Man (4×03) we finally get to meet Astrid, played by the charming and talented Abbie Cobb.  NCIS:LA Magazine was delighted to get to spend some time with Cobb for this special interview.

Abbie Cobb grew up in Nebraska and moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of becoming an actor.  She comes to NCIS: Los Angeles with an impressive and long list of credits to her name.  Despite her age, the young actress has been in the business for a long time, so we wanted to find out more about her background and how she took her first steps in becoming an actor.

It’s been a very busy year for you!  But let’s start from the beginning…. What drew you to this profession and why? 

Yes, it’s been a really big year for me and I’m so excited about the things that are happening!  I’ve wanted to be an actor for as long as I can remember. I’ve geared my studies and classes for this career but there is a passion for it I think I was just born with.  You know how sometimes singers just open their mouth with no training at all and they simply have it, like Adele, and you are jealous because it comes so natural for them? Well, I can’t sing but the one thing that comes to me naturally is acting, and I feel so lucky that I was given the opportunity to be able to earn a living doing what I love!

How did you get started in the business?

I started auditioning for plays back in elementary, junior high and high school.  Every chance I got,  I begged my parents to let me audition and I think this gave me the experience and confidence I needed to make the move to the professional world out here in Los Angeles.

The cool thing about looking young and playing young is that you have the ability to plug into networks like Nickelodeon and Disney Channel.   I got really lucky and was thrown into the Disney machine and cycled around doing different guest spots on shows and movies that really helped build up my resume.  Disney takes pride in wanting to help you grow and make you better using everything you bring to the table for the benefit of the channel—on a variety of shows, not just one!

You can play a great ‘mean girl’ but you have the ability to play a very sweet, likeable character as well.   One of the things that makes an actor great is being able to make the viewer forget that they are watching a piece of film or play because it seems so real on the screen and the audience is able to get carried away… and you are able to do that really well!

Well thank you!  I don’t know why I have the mean girl thing down, but almost all of my characters are mean ones.  I don’t know if it’s the “sweet on the outside, mean on the inside” thing going on, but I hope people understand that I’m not like that in real life—I hope that I’m far from it! There have been a few roles where I have been able to branch outside of that stereotype and NCIS:LA is one of them… so I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to do something different from what I usually do.

It also looks like you are going to get to play a different type of character on your upcoming Lifetime movie Teenage Bank Heist that will be premiering in November? 

Yes, I get to play the victim in this one! I play Maeve Quinlan’s daughter in the film and found that it’s really fun to play the same role every single day over a period of a few months.  It’s an action packed drama and I think viewers are really going to enjoy it. It airs November 9th on the Lifetime Movie Network.

You’re already an accomplished actor, public speaker and author.  Out of all these different areas of the entertainment industry, which do you prefer and why?

Acting is my first love.  I feel so blessed to make a living at it and I really appreciate it.  I think a lot of people who become series regulars and full time actors in film appear to have lost their appreciation for it, and I hope that never happens to me.  I have so many friends who haven’t caught a break in this town and they are insanely talented, so I thank God every day and am so grateful—I hope that I can act until the day I die!

After acting, I think teaching is my second passion. I sort of fell into a position of coaching and teaching workshops, and I’ve fallen in love with encouraging people who want to be in the industry.  It thrills me to help people of all ages, from all walks of life, figure out how to get into acting and give it a shot!

You’ve written a book entitled Stuck on a Ferris Wheel for people who are interested in becoming working actors in Los Angeles.  What compelled you to write this guide?

I don’t want people to make the mistakes I made when I first started—I want them to avoid some of the pitfalls of working in the industry!  After I started working regularly, I was flooded with messages and emails asking the same questions and I realized there was not enough information out there.  People would constantly be asking me, “How did you get your agent? How did you get your start? Am I too old to pursue this or too young? What should a headshot look like?”  I was overwhelmed with the number of emails that were flooding my inbox and I started taking hours out of my day trying to respond to them.  I could never possibly get to everyone, so I ended up creating this tool, this book.  This way I can reach many more people and it’s a lot faster!  I have been getting great feedback and I’m very proud of it. I tell some pretty embarrassing stories in the book but it makes you laugh and teaches you what to do and what to say—and more importantly what not to do.  (Please go to Abbie’s website to find out more on how to get a copy of her book: www.abbiecobb.com)

You have an impressive list of guest roles in some very popular TV shows from 90210 to Two and a Half Men, to True Blood.  Does anyone of them stand out in particular?

Longmire, blew my mind.  It’s a new detective western on A&E.  It’s a fantastic show with a fantastic cast and my role was really fun! I played a girl who went a little bit crazy and it was the most physically demanding part I’ve ever had.  I was out in the Santa Fe desert where it was freezing at night and really hot during the day,  was tied to the railroad tracks with barbed wire, had blood and special effect makeup all over—what an experience! But it was so much fun to do something so difficult and so physically challenging, I loved it.

 

Our interview with Abbie Cobb will continue on Thursday and she will share a little bit about her character and a few special stories that happen on the set of NCIS Los Angeles.  Be sure to return and find out more… only in NCIS:LA Magazine!

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