Callen and Arkady: Take Two

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Back in December 2013, we posted our first discussion about the relationship about Callen and Arkady. With the former KGBs reoccurrence again in Beacon, we thought it was appropriate to reflect on the interesting relationship that these two have had from the start and what may be coming up in Beacon.

 

Beacon (S6E21) Press Release

Callen and Sam are shocked when an old acquaintance they thought had been murdered shows up and asks for their help. Their investigation uncovers a possible breach of America’s economic sanctions against Russia.

 

The press release for Beacon had us curious to know who the old acquaintance was, until we watched the promo and realized that its Arkady Kolcheck. Based on the sneak peek, we witness someones attempt on Arkadys life (think back to the Third Choir), making the team think that it was Arkady who was killed. But while the team are concerned over how this news affects Callen, he refuses to accept his old friends death.

 

(Callen knees down beside the charred body) 

This doesnt feel right. Theres no way knowing who this is.” (Stands up) Dental records are going to take forever.” (Shrugs) Maybe Arkadys not dead.

Sam: Fascinating.

Callen: What!

Sam: Youre not sure how you feel about your friend, Arkady being dead.

Callen: Lets get one thing clear, we werent friends. I was ready to pull the trigger on him myself, a few times.

Sam: Dont let me get on your bad side. (Beacon, S6E21)

 

Notice Callens refusal to call Arkady a friend. In previous conversations they have had an easy banter, Arkady was concerned about Callen enough to let federal agents arrest him, and Callen trusted him to watch his back; these are all things friends would do. Add to that Callens unwillingness to accept that Arkady is dead and it seems he doth protest too much. Sam knows Callen is stonewalling him and hes letting him, also knowing its hard for Callen to deal with how he feels about the former KGB officer.

 

But.

 

Later, the formerly-known-as-dead Arkady comes to them for help. We dont yet know how that has happened, but maybe we can piece together the story that brought him to this point. Lets take a look back at that conversation earlier in Season 6, The Third Choir (S6E04), which may be whats led to this attempt on Arkadys life.

 

  

(Sam and Callen enter gym)

Callen: Not answering your phone?

Arkady: Ive been busy. How did you find me?

Sam: Your ex-wife’s sister.

Arkady: Which one?

Callen: Svetlana.

Arkady: Aah, she always talked too much. Must be genetic.

Callen: Arkady, what are you doing here?

Arkady: My doctor told me to join gym.

Sam: Yeah? Probably expected you to work out.

Arkady: Im between sets.

Arkady: In case you haven’t noticed, Cold War is back, only it’s not so cold lately. And for someone like your Hetty who has a head full of secrets they’d love to get their hands on, this is just the beginning.

Sam: What does that mean?

Arkady: I mean, it will get worse before it gets better, and your Hetty won’t be the only target.

Sam: Who else will they go after?

Arkady: Use your imagination.

Callen: We’re not playing around, Arkady. Who else will they go after?

Arkady: I don’t know! And to be honest, I don’t care. I’ve got my own problems.

Callen: We will be your problem if you don’t start to level with us.

Arkady: You don’t scare me – but they do, because I am one of the people they will come after.

(Callen and Sam turn to leave)

Sam: Don’t strain yourself.

The Third Choir (S6E04)

 

In the past, its been Callen who has turned to Arkady for help to solve a case, except for in Tin Soldiers. Here the tables have turned, its Callen and the teams turn to help Arkady. However, he might not be the only one in trouble. Arkady might be the canary in the mine of buried secrets; his attempted murder is signalling that its not safe for those who carry old knowledge of a past war that may not be over.

 

How do you think this new information ties into previous storylines like Hettys attempted kidnapping and the mole? With the team heading to Russia before the season ends, do you think Arkady will appear again? Do you want him to? Share your ideas in the comments.

 

 

 

Lets take a look back at each episode so far with Arkady Kolcheck

 

Season 1 Pushback (S1E07)

Callen suspects that Arkady was the one behind his shooting (NCIS Legends episodes), only to find that he had sent his foster sister, Alina Rostoff to warn him.

 

Season 2 Tin Soldiers (S2E15)

Arkady sends Niko to see if Callen is living in the old Rostoff home and wants him to look into something for him. At the end of the episode, we see Callen and Arkady caught up in a battle and having each others back.

 

Season 3 Neighborhood Watch (S3E22)

The team needed information with regards to a Russian sleeper agent. He reacts to one of the women in the photos, but distracts Callen and Sam. This is the first time Arkady helps Callen with a case and not just personal matters.

 

Arkady: She resembles my ex.

Callen: Which one?

Arkady: The one who recently passed, God rest her soul.

Callen: Aren’t they all dead?

Arkady: I do not have best luck with women.

Sam: Think how they feel.

Arkady (to Callen about Sam): I do not like him.

 

Season 4 Rude Awakenings (S4E06)

Sam and Callen meet with Arkady down a lane way to inquire about who might have stolen the nukes and killed the Russian sleeper agents.

 

(Referring to Sidorov) Arkady: It’s a delicate subject matter.

Arkady: Don’t judge. Morally corrupt people are my business!

Arkady: Oh, don’t be naive. We both spent decades pointing nuclear weapons at each other’s children.

 

Season 4 Wanted (S4E17)

But Arkady is needed again when a Russian is found dead with his index finger cut off.

 

Arkady: You two still together. That’s nice. You’ve lasted longer than any of my marriages. What is secret?

Arkady: Why would I know? Because I’m Russian? We all look the same to you? You think I know everything every Russian is doing in this state?

Callen: Only the criminals.

Arkady: That hurts.

 

Season 5 Reznikov, N (S5E04)

When the Comescus kidnap a man whom they believe to be Callens father, he turns to Arkady for help.

 

(At Arkadys home, hes enters the house, on his mobile)

Arkady: Fine, fine. You do that. And when you come back to me to complain about them, remember what I told you -I know, I know. It’s just business. But when you come back to me, price is double. Yes, it’s just business.

(He opens the fridge – grabs a gun and wheels around)

Arkady: I should tell you, I’m having bad day. Come out slowly.

(Callen makes himself seen)

Arkady: You trying to get yourself killed?

Callen: Not with that gun.

(Callen shows the shells from Arkadys weapon)

Arkady: Now you leave me defenceless against my enemies.

Callen: Who leaves a gun in the fridge?

Arkady: We all do. How did you get in?

Callen: Parked the car in the back alley, jumped the fence. You’ve got a security camera blind spot by your pool.

Arkady: Thanks for finding it.

(Callen hands a photo of a younger Arkady with Reinhardt)

Callen: That bring back some memories?

Arkady: Im more handsome now. Richer.

Arkady: Ask the real question. The one you came to ask me.

Callen: Is this my father?

Arkady: No one has ever introduced themselves to me as your father. So maybe he is, maybe he isnt.

Arkady: Do I owe you favor?

Callen: No. But when this is done – Im gonna owe you one.

Arkady: Then it is business.

(Arkady loads his gu and its it into the small of his back)

Arkady: Ay-yi! Gun is still cold.

Arkady: My brother-in-law’s car.

Callen: It may get a little rough.

Arkady: Is okay. I don’t like him anyway.

(Boat Shed)

Kensi: Sit down.

Arkady: No, after you.

(Kensi glares at Arkady)

Arkady: Okeydokey, dokey, dokey. No niceties today.

Kensi: Where’s Callen?

Arkady: I don’t know.

Kensi: :Okay, we found you beside a car with two men who’d been shot to death. We swabbed you for gun residue. And when that’s processed, what do you think we’re gonna find?

Arkady: :That I fired weapon. Self-defense. Agent Callen will tell you same thing.

Deeks: Well, then you better hope we find him alive, pal,’cause he’s the only friend that’s gonna vouch for you.

Arkady: I don’t know where he is. I know what he went to do, and I can truthfully say I don’t know where he went to do it.

Deeks: Why’d you wait with the bodies? You could have been long gone by the time we got there.

Arkady: Because I wanted you to know what happened, what Callen was going to do.

Kensi: Why?

Arkady: Because Callen is a friend of mine and I don’t want him to die today.

 

These two have had an interesting history. At first, they appear to not care for the other and Callen in particular has trust issues with Arkady. But when it comes down to it, when it really matters, it appears that these two men really do care for each other. Share your take on their relationship in the comments.

 

Thanks to Hypnoweb for the quotes and Bee for her help in putting this post together.

6 thoughts on “Callen and Arkady: Take Two

  1. I Feel Possessed

    I’m wondering if it was Callen who helped set up Arkady’s fake death…

    Love the Callen/Arkady dynamic and hope they don’t at some point, kill Arkady off for real!

  2. Linda W

    I love the relationship between Callen and Arkady! I am always pleased to see him in the cast. It is a bit like a love/hate relationship with a touch of humour. I can only guess if there is a deeper relationship between the two men, but I hope we find out soon. It would be a shame to lose the character of Arkady in the future.

  3. Richtsje

    Oh, Callen and stonewalling…
    I really, really hope it was just a fake death to keep Arkady safe. Because I would love to see more of them together, and from what I understand the season finale will be in Moscow. So, perhaps there’s some unexpected secrets to be revealed!!

  4. Linda

    I am really enjoying this season. As a Callen fan it has been great. I really enjoy the Callen/Arkady dynamic and I am hoping for some good things taking us to the end of the season.

  5. justdreaming83

    Arkady is my favorite guest star. Loved remembering all of his appearances and interactions. Thanks, Vicki!!!

  6. ChrisDaisy

    Arkady is my favorite guest character! He’s always good for some light moments even if the topic is a serious one.
    I also love the Callen/Arkady dynamic. I don’t quite know how to define their relationship… I am not sure if I would call them friends (compared e.g. to Callen’s relationship with the other team members) but they surely respect each other at a high level.
    Arkady is one of the few persons outside the team that Callen has allowed access into his life and even trusts to some extent. And Arkady on the other hand states in Reznikov, N that the only reason for him to help Callen is because he gets an advantage out of it but his actions show otherwise.

    Not having watched Beacon yet this was the perfect preparation. Thanks for putting this together Vicki and Bee!

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