Category Archives: Next On NCISLA

Next on… NCISLA! Between the Lines (5×17) Preview by Gayle (@DensiLand)

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Between the Lines (5×17) Preview

By Gayle (@DensiLand)

Written by: Joseph Wilson; Directed by: Dennis Smith

Official CBS Press Release – “Between the Lines” – When an undercover agent is identified and executed by a local gang, the NCIS: Los Angeles team must locate the mole before other agents’ lives are put in danger. Meanwhile, Granger begins to worry when Kensi disappears in Afghanistan, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Tuesday, March 18 (9:00-10:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

One of their own has become a victim. While national security is always their top concern, the safety of their colleagues raises the stakes to a whole new level. Yet a local gang is behind this? What could their motivation be? Or is there a cloaked “puppet master” pulling the strings as a cover for a more sinister plot? And this murder is no accident or coincidence, not when someone purposefully posts it online for the world to see. As Sam firmly states, “Someone… wants to send a message.” Message received loud and clear!

With veteran writer Joseph C. Wilson penning this production, known for his explosive storylines (both figurative and literal), he’s sure to take us on daunting journey that places more than one of our beloved agent in the crosshairs of peril. Likewise seasoned director Dennis Smith, a foundational figure throughout the JAG/NCIS/NCISLA franchise, is certain to deliver action-packed sequences that are a cornerstone of the show, including Callen teetering on the ledge of a soaring building!

Yet the focus shifts to a wider scope when Hetty forcefully asserts for all agents to be extracted from every operation. All agents. Every operation. Is this the moment Granger discovers Kensi has gone missing? The questions surrounding this topic are all disconcerting. Under what circumstance has she lost contact? Did she voluntarily or unintentionally put herself in danger, or did someone else name her as a target? Is the White Ghost behind her disappearance? How will Granger respond? How does the recently spotted mystery man (now confirmed to be Jack) fit into this chain of events?

Jack. Jack? Jack! Let’s take a moment to consider the fact that Kensi’s former fiancé, who abruptly left her with no apparent rhyme or reason and disappeared on his own accord, has suddenly reemerged. Having been urgently separated from her team at a time she was already emotionally frayed and now finding herself half a world away, how will the customarily independent bad ass Blye simultaneously manage her mission, face her past, and control her emotions?

We’ve seen the team respond when both Sam and Hetty, respectively, have been out of contact. How will they react to this news about Kensi? Does Granger even present Hetty with this information? Does Hetty dare share it with the team, knowing very well what their expected response plan will be? And then there’s Deeks. How will he react to his partner (& more) being off the grid?

A charge of NCIS has always been to place the success of the mission before the life of a single agent, but when they are one and the same, what happens Next… on NCISLA?

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Next on… NCISLA! Fish out of Water (5×16) Preview by Gayle (@DensiLand)

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Fish out of Water (5×16) Preview

By Gayle (@DensiLand)

Written by: Joe Sachs; Directed by: Terrance O’Hara

Official CBS Press Release – “Fish out of Water” – Following an explosion at a fish market, the NCIS: LA team partners with an undercover DEA agent to determine if the incident is an act of terrorism or a botched drug smuggling deal. Meanwhile, in Afghanistan, Granger and Kensi investigate a helicopter crash that could be tied to their ongoing search for the infamous white ghost, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Tuesday, March 4 (9:00-10:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Uh oh! Does this episode seem a little fishy to you? Trying to determine if the anchor of a crime is terrorism or drugs is likely to result in a sinking outcome for someone! We can expect the guys to dive into this case, but might they find themselves in over their heads? The marine-themed double entendre of “red herring” in the promo indicates this operation won’t be easy or smooth. (Are they ever?)  On a related note, will Sam continue to taunt Callen with Joelle’s scoring via the “Rate a Date”?

This presumed joint operation brings a colleague from a fellow “alphabet soup” organization into the mix. Can she be trusted? Might she be a player in the wrong-doing? Perhaps she becomes counted among the victims? Regardless, it seems this agent may very well be next in the constant revolving door of (temporary) partners for Deeks. This one suspiciously resembles our girl away on foreign assignment. How might this impact the Detective’s demeanor?

Speaking of Deeks, he’ll yet again take on a new undercover assignment, this time donning the duds of a construction worker. Hmm. He’s a cop who now works for the Navy and has previously portrayed a biker. Wow, just add cowboy and American Indian (which would probably be a stretch) and Deeks would have a one-man version of The Village People! If anyone could pull that off, it would certainly be Deeks!

Meanwhile, agents at the Afghanistan camp seem to receive additional clues regarding their hunt for the White Ghost. Yet, the details remain cloaked in a murky abyss. As they gain insight on their target, are they closer to netting their target or only being unsuspectingly baited toward approaching danger?

Might one of the team fall “hook, line, & sinker” for a personal or professional hazard NEXT… on NCISLA?

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Next on… NCISLA! Tuhon (5×15) Preview by Gayle (@DensiLand)

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Tuhon (5×15) Preview

By Gayle (@DensiLand)

Written by: Dave Kalstein; Directed by: Christine Moore

Official CBS Press Release – “Tuhon” – Sam and Callen head to Mexico to search for Tuhon, a retired assassin they encountered on their very first case together, now a suspect in the murder of a diplomat. Meanwhile, Nate and Deeks stay in Los Angeles to assist with the investigation, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Tuesday, Feb. 25 (9:00-10:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Peter Cambor Returns as Operational Psychologist Nate Getz and Danny Trejo Guest Stars as Tuhon.

Turn on your time machines; additional backstory on Sam and Callen are headed our way! Can you even imagine the first case Callen and Sam might have worked together? On their five year anniversary in “Partners” (3×14) they provided a slight peak; however, it quickly dissolved into a spat regarding who was “first through the door”. Boys! Might their squabble return as well? Is a testosterone-filled game of superiority in their (& our) future?

With a case resurfacing from the past there’s ample prospect it somehow involves Hetty. While Tuhon sounds to be in danger now, it’s disclosed he was formerly an assassin. Even with this questionable past, is Tuhon now friend or foe, victim or criminal? As we learn Tuhon’s tell is a knowing (& evil) smile, the guys’ attention to non-verbal clues will be of utmost importance.

The wielding of razor-sharp weapons is a hallmark of Sayoc-crazed Kalstein scribing the script. As always viewers can expect this to be paired with thrilling combat choreography thanks to his buddy and martial arts master, Rafael Kayanan. Speaking of Mr. Kalstein, he provided a spoiler on Twitter hinting at a connection with “Kill House” (4×14); could Tuhon be the mysterious headhunter? Based on this point in the season and the resurfacing of a past that will impact more than one member of the team, could this be the initial point building toward the season finale?

Welcome back, Nate! With Dr. Getz in the house, there’s sure to be some not-so-covert psychoanalysis in their midst. What is Hetty’s reasoning in bringing Nate back this time? Is Nate’s return purely associated with the case? Improbable. (Yet based on a humorous behind-the-scenes photo, how might Deeks & Nate work together as partners in the field?!) Perhaps Nate’s presence will serve as a check-in regarding the guys’, particularly Deeks’, PTSD. It seems many fans look forward to the continuation of this storyline.

An expected topic of conversation between the detective and doctor will likely be Deeks’ partnership, both professionally and personally. How is Deeks handling Kensi’s absence? Will Deeks finally be able to admit to Nate what makes his partnership with Kensi special and unique?

How do you think the past might collide with the future NEXT… on NCISLA?

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Next on… NCISLA! War Cries (5×14) Preview by Gayle (@DensiLand)

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War Cries (5×14) Preview

By Gayle (@DensiLand)

Written by: R. Scott Gemmill; Directed by: James Hanlon

Official CBS Press Release – “War Cries” – When two private military contractors are murdered, the teams’ investigation leads to a suspect who puts one of their own in serious danger. Meanwhile, Sam sets up Callen on a blind date, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Tuesday, Feb. 4 (9:00-10:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

In the midst of this winter break, we celebrate a new episode! Hooray! Based on reports surrounding guest star, Dylan Bruno’s character Robert Brown, the team is faced with a dual challenge: solve the murders and keep Brown safe. Brown is being hunted based on the fact he witnessed war crimes and plans to bring them to light. What kind of atrocities might these crimes have entailed? Further, it’s noted these crimes occurred in Afghanistan. Could there be a connection to Kensi and Granger or their hunt for the “White Ghost”?

Speaking of Granger, something has him returning stateside. Is it this case or something else? It appears this case may have prime significance as promotional photos show Granger in the field with the team. This is reminiscent of a similar situation with Kensi in “The Gold Standard” (4×9). What could Granger have up his sleeve this time? With Deeks and Granger now face-to-face, it is more than expected for the detective to try to pry information out of the Assistant Director pertaining to Kensi, particularly her whereabouts and safety. We know Deeks isn’t afraid of Granger, but will his customary charm be able to produce the first-hand account about Kensi he so desperately seeks? Or might Deeks react in a much more intense manner? After all, with Granger “home”, who is watching his partner’s back?

For the seeming more light-hearted aspect to this episode, we are teased with Sam setting Callen up on a blind date?! What might prompt Sam to take such action? Does Callen remain steadfast in his “lone wolf” status or trust his partner’s effort? Could this have anything to do with Callen’s briefly-mentioned enamored neighbor, Elise, in “Big Brother” (5×6)? After all, Sam did discover her blog that referenced Callen. Might it be someone we haven’t met either? Is the “blind date” even of a personally romantic nature? In Callen and Sam’s distinctive “bromance” you just never know what one might have planned for the other!

While we trust the team will professionally succeed with the case, can the same be said for their individual personal pursuits NEXT… on NCISLA?

NOTE: This post was prepped before the promo video for “War Cries” was out so feel free to add any additional thoughts now after we’ve seen it to the comments…

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Next on… NCISLA! Allegiance (5×13) Preview by Gayle (@DensiLand)

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Allegiance (5×13) Preview

By Gayle (@DensiLand)

Written by: Frank Military & Andrew Bartels; Directed by: Eric Laneuville

Official CBS Press Release – “Allegiance” – While in Afghanistan, Kensi and Granger join the team on a joint case when a federal agent in Los Angeles tied to Hawala, an ancient system of money transfer, is murdered, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Tuesday, Jan. 14 (9:00-10:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Welcome to 2014 and the second half of season 5! As usual, the episode will feature at least one of the show’s famous explosions. “Allegiance” also marks the inaugural script from new NCISLA writer Andrew Bartels. What might this fresh voice bring to the team and viewers?

The official press release references “Hawala”. Central to the Middle East, North Africa, & India and using a large system of brokers outside traditional banking organizations, it is a method of informal fund transfer relying heavily on trust. In some areas this is the best or only option for transfer of money. Knowing just this, what could possibly go wrong?!

The case brings together the entire team even though they are literally half a world away from each other. The gadgets in Ops, satellites (and perhaps those curious satphones) are bound to get a workout in keeping the team connected! Such an effort by the entire team illustrates the importance of the case in redirecting Granger and Kensi’s focus away from “White Ghost”. Will the expected communication among team members provide any insight into the Afghanistan operation?

Will this operation bring the team (figuratively) closer together or only raise more questions NEXT… on NCISLA?

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