Category Archives: Next On NCISLA

Next on… NCISLA! Merry Evasion (5×12) Preview by Gayle (@DensiLand)

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Merry Evasion (5×12) Preview

By Gayle (@DensiLand)

Written by: Kyle Harimoto; Directed by: Karen Gaviola

Official CBS Press Release: “Merry Evasion” – The NCIS: Los Angeles team searches for a motive when a senator’s daughter is attacked. Meanwhile, Deeks and Nell partner up to help Sam and Callen bring the daughter to safety and Kensi receives the perfect holiday gift from one of her co-workers, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Tuesday, Dec. 17 (9:00-10:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Michelle Trachtenberg Guest Stars as Lily Lockhart, the Senator’s Daughter.

Hold onto your Santa hats; it’s the most wonderful time of the year with the Christmas episode! As expected, a crime is coming to town! While the case has a political focus, the foundation resides in family with the attack on a senator’s daughter. What might prompt such personal violence? Weapons, money, revenge, information, access, or something even more sinister? It’s beginning to look a lot like… Callen and Sam have their work cut out for them. Surely the team will round up those on the “Naughty List” for a “Sleigh Ride” directly to the boatshed and restore “peace on Earth, goodwill toward men”!

For the second year in a row it appears viewers will be presented the holiday gift of “Jingle Nell Rocks”, this time headed back in the field. (Sadly, there doesn’t seem to be a resurrection of Elfie McBeale.) Deeks will be shepherding Novice Nell through the operation. However, will the feisty intelligence analyst take notes from her elder colleague or instead teach him a lesson of his own? Could Nell, who so keenly keeps confidences for Hetty, do the same in serving as a confidant for Deeks in his “Winter Wonderland” of struggle with Kensi’s absence? And speaking of…

Although abroad, apparently Kensi’s about to have a “Holly Jolly Christmas” with “the perfect holiday gift”. What could it be and from whom? Many viewers feel like children awaiting the arrival of Santa in considering all the possibilities! Is Sabatino delivering it from the States? Is Granger attempting to make his way onto the “Nice List” by presenting a peace offering to the daughter of a past comrade? While delightful, those options don’t seem to fit the descriptor of “perfect”. No, a more likely outcome might/could be a direct yet unexpected communication opportunity for Deeks and Kensi, arranged by none other than Hetty herself! After all these two have been through and considering this special season, certainly we won’t be given cause to proclaim, “You’re a mean one, Ms. Lange!”

Regardless of the mysterious gift it’s clear Kensi won’t be rejoicing to the notes of “I’ll be home for Christmas”, and Deeks will likely be alone humming the sad tones of “Blue Christmas”. Yet based on their heartbreaking split and great geographic distance, each will likely have “All I Want for Christmas Is You” at the forefront of their minds.

As another year ends and the team celebrates this season of appreciation with their “family”, we too as viewers give thanks for the countless incredible gifts they present to us each Tuesday throughout the year!

Will the team close the case with feelings of a calm “O Holy Night” or a holiday in chaos NEXT… on NCISLA?

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Next… on NCISLA! Iron Curtain Rising (5×11) Preview by Gayle (@DensiLand)

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Iron Curtain Rising (5×11) Preview

By Gayle (@DensiLand)

Written by: Jordana Lewis Jaffe;  Directed by: Tony Wharmby

Official CBS Press Release: “Iron Curtain Rising” – When a former Romanian Communist leader and suspected war criminal is discovered to be living in Los Angeles under a false identity, the NCIS: LA team must locate him before he disappears again, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Tuesday, Dec. 10 (9:00-10:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Maintaining the focus of the show, the promo opens with a literal bang! “Iron Curtain” refers to the historical period and efforts of the Soviet Union to defend its independence from western and non-communist influences. Thus, based on the press release the team’s target may very well hold information directly related to national security.  The question is: Does the target seek to simply maintain secrets or perhaps use his/her knowledge for nefarious purposes? The possibilities are vast.

Yet the attention of the team and location quickly splits. As indicated at the end of “The Frozen Lake” (5×10), Kensi and Granger are headed overseas, leaving “the guys” at home to ensure domestic safety and security. While the domestic op has international ties, all appearances are the separate teams are focused on unrelated assignments.

As we’ve known for quite a while, the time for Kensi & Granger’s Afghanistan storyline has begun. Yet the promo (as usual) prompts only questions with answers hidden somewhere in an unknown future.

  • What about this case is linked to both Granger & Hetty’s past?
  • What has made this case so important that it forces the Assistant Director of NCIS not only into the field, but also half a world away?
  • Is there a particular reason Kensi was assigned this case instead of a different member of the team?
  • And certainly not least of all, who is “White Ghost” and why is he/she a target?

It’s certain this operation holds much depth based on the presumed authorization of lethal action instead of the more traditional “capture and interrogate” procedure. Keen fans know this is just the beginning of a multi-episode arc that bases Kensi and Granger abroad. Thus, is this just the start of a much larger case that will have long-lasting impacts on more than one member of the team?

Will the “Iron Curtain” provide protection to the agents abroad or reveal a conflict that none could envision NEXT… on NCISLA?

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Next… on NCISLA! The Frozen Lake (5×10) Preview by Gayle (@DensiLand)

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The Frozen Lake (5×10)

Preview by Gayle (@DensiLand)

Official CBS Press Release: “The Frozen Lake” – Callen and Sam enlist the help of a Gurkha, an elite Nepali soldier specializing in knife fighting, to retrieve a missing thumb drive. Meanwhile, Kensi and Deeks struggle to find a balance in their partnership, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Tuesday, Nov. 26 (9:00-10:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

When the term “knife fighting” appears in an NCISLA press release, you can be pretty sure chief writer Dave Kalstein has penned the episode. Watch closely; there’s likely a lesson and showcase of the Art of Sayoc Kali in our future. While the team seems to be generally best prepared to employ their firearm skills, this time Callen and Sam need to supplement the team with a specialist. Can they trust this skilled expert, or will he jeopardize the team and their operation?

The Densi “cliffhanger” looks to be dealt with in record time. As outlined in the promo video “becoming more than partners” and “crossing a line” doesn’t result in the “happily ever after” most fans (and obviously Deeks) longed for. Even Eric Christian Olsen offered the warning, “Something happens… that you can’t come back from.” Thus, this newest Densi complication is bound to serve as the catalyst for the professional (& seeming personal) break-up of the partners. It’s been known for quite some time Kensi will embark on a foreign assignment (to conveniently handle Daniela’s pregnancy), which will serve as a sad split for the duo.

Yet the romantic challenges for these two have been clear and steadfast. Deeks has always worn his heart on his sleeve, and now his developing connection with and expressed feelings for Kensi only threatens his professional ability. In addition to the now unspoken PTSD issues that are likely lingering, in the promo it appears he’s unable/unwilling to take a shot for fear of hurting Kensi. This has long been a concern for every member of the team. While never verbally communicating it, Kensi has long steeled herself against losing yet another man in her life. A relationship with Deeks has the potential to be her worst nightmare: a possibility of losing both a professional partner and personal love. Additionally, Hetty and Callen are now placed in the unenviable position of handling a splintered partnership that now endangers the team. How will each member of the team address this problem? In looking ahead how will both Deeks and Kensi cope with the absence of the other?

With Dave Kalstein behind the script and Executive Producer John Peter Kousakis leading their army into the pre-holiday “sweeps” season, only incredible actions and implications are sure to be on the horizon. How can we be sure? They said so themselves! JPK announced it was his proudest episode to date and Dave Kalstein’s best script ever! Similarly, Dave Kalstein confided it was the most personal script he’s written and hopes it moves the fans as much as it moved him.

Will “The Frozen Lake” melt our hearts or present an icy future for the team NEXT… ON NCISLA?

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Next on… NCISLA! Recovery (5×09) Preview by Gayle (@DensiLand)

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Recovery (5×09) Preview

By Gayle (@DensiLand)

Written by: Gil Grant; Directed by: Paul A. Kaufman

Official CBS Press Release – “Recovery” – Kensi goes undercover as a nutritionist and Deeks poses as a new patient at a rehab center to investigate the death of a Navy officer, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Tuesday, Nov. 19 (9:00-10:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. William Russ guest stars as Martin Lake, owner of Tranquility Villa.

Densi fans, it’s time to start preparing yourselves! First, Kensi, our donut-loving, candybar-addicted, junkfood junky is headed undercover as a… nutritionist?! Oh, that’s rich! Second, Deeks of course joins Kensi undercover at the rehab center. Yet, rumors indicate the detective’s cover is as a patient dealing with… a sex addiction?! Wow. The potential mocking stemming from these covers could be one for the ages! Did their cheeky Operations Manager, Hetty, develop these covers in part for her own entertainment?

The powers that be have been “teeing up” this episode for quite a while. Last month Executive Producer John Peter Kousakis tweeted, “Densi’s dinner outing… will create a nagging ?”.  Whatever could it be and when will that question be resolved (if ever)?

The single promotional still-shot of Densi at dinner together had the fandom on the edge of its seat. Then the promo aired, leaving Densi fans initially gasping for breath. Deeks utters to Kensi, “I want to be at my place right now, with you.” A sentiment most fans have longed to hear. However, just as in “Neighborhood Watch” (3×22), is this simply part of their cover? Or could this be a serious follow-up conversation regarding Deeks’ PTSD? Or dare we anticipate a discussion of the kiss and their unspoken “thing”?

Regardless of the actual topic, the result will certainly have long-term impacts. Just this week Eric Christian Olsen revealed, “”Something happens… that you can’t come back from….” Will this something strengthen their (relation)ship, drive them apart, or simply create yet another complication? Will it more drastically affect one of them more than the other? It’s clear the path for this duo is about to take a significant and dramatic turn.

All indications point to Kensi departing for a far-off land in the near future. How will these cosmically-connected partners part? As colleagues, friends, or something more? Will they sustain their typical pattern in which one pushes while the other pulls (away)? Each has justification for both moving toward as well as backing away from the other on a personal level. Who will make the first move and in what direction? Nothing is ever easy with these two, so it’s most conceivable for a “heart-breakingly beautiful” moment to emerge.

What direction do you think will be NEXT… ON NCISLA for Densi: forward advancement, evasion, or retreat? And just as important, will it leave the fans cheering or in tears?

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Next on… NCISLA! Fallout (5×08) Preview by Gayle (@DensiLand)

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Fallout (5×08) Preview

By Gayle (@DensiLand)

Written by: Joseph C. Wilson; Directed by: Diana Valentine

Official CBS Press Release – “Fallout” – When an antiterrorism device is stolen, the team must quickly find the suspect and the device before an attack is made against Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Hetty realizes the case is bringing her back to someone from her past, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Tuesday, Nov. 12 (9:00-10:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

As the team searches for a dirty bomb, there is indication that our favorite tech geek, “Mr. Beale”, plays a prime role. As Callen declares, “We can’t leave him here alone” the protective familial instincts of Hetty take root. How might Eric be in danger?

Yet is it only Eric in jeopardy? Sam and Callen are taking a backward fall and the ominous narrator reveals the case might “explode their careers”! Callen deepens the possible “fallout” with reference to potential of criminal charges. In the most touching moment, Sam grabs Callen in a sincere and meaningful hug. What would prompt this public expression of emotion from our giant teddy bear? Has one or more of the team finally taken a step too far in their investigation?

And at the center of it all there’s the ”… riddle wrapped up in a mystery inside an enigma clutching a hand grenade” (except this time it’s a loaded rifle) that is Hetty. A person from her past makes an appearance and we can easily presume it is someone other than Granger. Might this be another “orphan”? Probably not. Perhaps another connection to Callen’s past? That’s a much safer bet. Yet who is this unknown; what was their relationship; and how might he/she alter the future?

How will the team keep the city and each other safe NEXT… ON NCISLA?

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