Author => JustDreaming83

NCISLAFamilia Meet-Up 2013 Write-Up (1/6)

LAban800
On October 11, at five o’clock in the evening, excitement filled the Lindbergh room of the Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys, California, as twenty three people suspended “real life” for just a little while, officially kicking off the 2013 NCISLA Familia Meet Up. Stepping through the doors of the meeting room, it was obvious that much thought and preparation had gone into making this a very special event.

Schedules for the weekend, personalized badges for each attendee, and blue Magazine wristbands had been carefully arranged on the entrance table. Each person received a glossy 8X10 Special Edition Magazine cover, with a “Peanuts” style illustration of the NCIS: LA characters. Memorabilia, including a recording of the show’s soundtrack, was given away in a drawing later that night. A display on one of the walls served as a backdrop for picture taking, with the available option of holding a sign with the name of your favorite character. And as an extra treat, copies of a story, written by Gina Callen, were distributed; a cute little fic where the NCIS Los Angeles team is dispatched to the Airtel Plaza Hotel to investigate a suspicious gathering of people, a group calling themselves “LA Familia.”

Meeting our delightful Magazine creator/editor, her husband, and her dear mother, renewing old friendships, making new ones, putting faces to Twitter and Fan Fiction names, meeting online friends for the very first time – the room buzzed with contagious energy! And at every break, conversations erupted on everything from favorite moments in the show, to what rental car was being driven this weekend. It was amazing to watch people, whose ages spanned several generations, from different geographical regions, and with varying backgrounds and occupations, instantly bond together as a “family.”

The fun and laughter continued when Bridget, equipped with dozens of Tootsie Pop wrappers, presented a lesson in origami. Only one set of written instructions proved to make this project all the more hilarious! Our brave instructor started out at one table, but quickly moved to another where a participant was yelling, at the top of her lungs, that she was ‘perceptually challenged.’ Some folded the paper like pros, some were truly perceptually challenged, beginning with the wrapper upside-down and having to start over. But in the end, most of the creations closely resembled swans – Sam would be proud. And it was no surprise that the recurring question of the hour was, “Is that a frog?”

The final event of the evening was the table read. CBS was generous enough to provide everyone a copy of the script, including deleted scenes, for the season opener, “Ascension.” Each person drew for the character they would portray, scripts were distributed, pens and highlighters were whipped out, and everyone got down to the business of flipping through the fifty plus pages, reading and marking their lines. The tables were then arranged in the shape of a horseshoe, and in the fashion of our favorite cast, each person took their seat for the table read. Being commissioned with Shane Brennan’s role as narrator, Keviana charged full steam ahead, skillfully leading the “actors” into the story. (This narrator, however, took an occasional ad lib liberty, particularly when she thought it necessary to warn the group of imminent gruesomeness.) The fact that this episode was so powerful, and had recently aired, just added to the excitement. And having our three favorite villains in the mix, Javnier, Vaziri, and Sidorov, was an added bonus. Time seemed to stand still as scene after scene was described, and the actors’ lines were read. An hour later, the final scene “faded to black,” and the mock table read came to an end. The group had not yet come down from the emotional high, when sindee pulled another surprise from her magic carpet bag. The participants who had read the parts for the regular cast were presented a script cover page that had been signed by the corresponding actor. Frank Military, the writer of this particular episode, had even autographed one of the pages, cleverly drawing an arrow from his signature to his name as it appeared in the credits. As the night’s events concluded, the common thought was, This just keeps getting better and better!

Nell Jones: One Cute Girl With A Gun

When Nell Jones was added to the Ops center in season 2, it was apparent that Eric had been teamed up with someone who was highly intelligent and quite comfortable in his computer domain. Although their job titles suggest that their primary functions with NCIS differ, it was immediately evident that Miss Jones possessed skills that overlap with those of her techie partner. (Nell herself admitted, in a much later episode, that she speaks ‘Geek.’) So by the time she appeared in her second episode, I had mentally filed the young Information Analyst away as a female version Eric Beale.

But then all that I thought I knew about Nell Jones was challenged when her third episode [Standoff -2×06] rolled around. We see her at the actual crime scene, climbing out of the backseat of Sam’s car. Well this is different. Our Eric had never ventured past the safety of the walls of the Office of Special Operations. (And later, when he does finally go out for his first assignment, he almost gets himself ‘frelted.’) Turning down Sam’s offer of assistance, Nell leans over into the trunk of the Challenger to haul out a big equipment case, and… Wait! What is that?!?! The cute little red-head is packing! This small piece of metal, tucked into the waistband of her pants, suddenly set her apart from the rest of the geek-world.

Nell_gun_Standoff

The next time Nell’s gun makes an appearance is in “Blye, K. Part 2” [3×17]. She had accompanied the team to a meet up between Kensi and someone who has information about Kensi’s father. But this time, Nell’s weapon is drawn. A sniper had taken a shot at Kensi, putting the team on high alert. It was then that we realized that the Analyst had not only received instruction in firing a gun, she had been trained in using that weapon in the field.

Nell_gun_Blye_K_2

We don’t actually get a look at her gun in the “sunglasses scene” in Season 4 [Recruit – 4×02], but Nell assures a frightened Eric that she is carrying one. “Yes. I have my service weapon,” she responds when he asks if she is “strapped,” “packing,” “carrying heat.” Although the trembling Tech Operator is not comfortable with the idea of even picking up a firearm, he seems to find comfort in the fact that his partner is “carrying heat” when they venture out of Ops.

Nell_gun_Recruit

In “Unwritten Rule” [5×05], we get a glimpse of Nell’s gun and badge that have been placed on the desk in front of her, while she searches for clues in a company’s computer system. With a room-full of Eric-clones watching her from a distance, Callen comes and hovers over her like a protective big brother. (I know. I know. For you Nallen fans, it wasn’t all that brotherly.) When Callen tells her he thinks she has some admirers, she tells him she thinks they are more interested in talking about her gun. “What’s with that? Guys and guns?” To which Callen responds, “I think it’s more about cute girls with guns.” Not too much later in the episode, for the first time, we see Miss Jones fire that gun. Although it was just a warning shot to halt a fleeing suspect, the team appears to be quite impressed.

Nell_gun_Unwritten_Rule

Nell gun Merry Evasion
Nell’s gun makes at least three more appearances before the end of Season 5. In “Merry Evasion” [5×12], when she temporarily becomes the fourth team member, she draws her weapon, assisting them in subduing a baddie.
Nell gun Windfall
In “War Cries” [5×14], I think my heart stopped when the psycho woman-killer knocked her gun out of reach. Then in “Windfall” [5×20], because Hetty is not sure Kensi is ready to return to work, Nell is sent into the field again. The over-zealous Analyst draws her weapon when the “Little Dip” thug decides to run from Deeks.

Up until the start of Season 6, Nell possessing, and even firing a gun, had been treated rather lightly. In fact, a couple of the scenes had been downright funny. This all changed in the third episode of the Season [Praesidium]. Miss Jones willingly placed herself in a dangerous situation, going undercover as Hetty, and was subsequently forced to kill a man. Our brave little Nell was undone. As Callen told Granger, she had never killed anyone before. The fact that the shooting was in self-defense was not easing her pain. When Nate pays her a visit, she has retreated to her apartment, contemplating the darker side of the day in the life of an agent [The 3rd Choir – 6×04]. The Operational Psychologist explained to her that there was no way to prepare yourself for this; killing someone “goes against every moral fiber engrained in you since birth.” Nell was able to rationalize that the man she shot was bad, and that her actions were in self-defense, but she couldn’t shake the thought that the man she killed was once someone’s child. Although it was good for Nell to share her feelings with Nate, she was still haunted by what had happened, wondering if she could ever put herself in that situation again.

Nell gun Praesidium

Nell is in her living room, sadly flipping through phots of the dead guy, when she receives a call from Hetty. When her boss asks her for an update on the case, she has to explain to her why she is at home, rather than in Ops. Hetty expresses her understanding, but then quickly urges Nell to get back into the game. “But I need you to focus. Chin up.” Nell gun The 3rd ChoirHetty Lange needs Nell’s help! Miss Jones seems to snap out of her gloomy state when Hetty begins reeling off a list of instructions, putting her to work. The next time we see Nell, she is in the OSP, diving through the air, pushing her Operations Manager to safety. She then draws her weapon, ready to do whatever it takes to protect her beloved boss from the evil Mattias. When the danger is over, the young Analyst confidently holsters her weapon. Nell Jones is back!

What are your thoughts about this? Will Nell be able to re-enter the field? Will she continue to pursue her aspiration of becoming a Field Agent?

Nell Appreciation Week — From Newbie to Nellosaurus

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.

nell1

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.”

nell2

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.”

nell3

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.

nell4

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?