Category Archives: Next On NCISLA

Next on… NCISLA! The LiveLong Day (5×07) Preview by Gayle (@DensiLand)

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The LiveLong Day (5×07) Preview

By Gayle (@DensiLand)

Written by Joe Sachs; Directed by Dennis Smith

CBS Official Press Release  – “The Livelong Day” – The NCIS: LA team must notify Homeland Security when a murder investigation exposes a larger threat to a Los Angeles-based train, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Tuesday, Nov. 5 (9:00-10:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

While the official Press Release provides little insight beyond the basis of the case, an intriguing reference is made: train. As the audience has grown to expect and appreciate, the development team continues to take full advantage of varied locations, plots, and especially their affection of all forms of transportation. This time the outcome is locomotive based, which was first revealed by Executive Producer John Peter Kousakis’ tweet of “Choo choo”!

In the action-packed promo, we are treated to an expected “boom” (via tripwire), while the team is out investigating the case. And speaking of, an interesting undercover may be revealed based on the first-even sighting of Deeks donning spectacles! What do you think might prompt this uncharacteristic wardrobe choice?

Within only the 19 second promo, the reference to “Mercury in retrograde” is made twice. This phenomenon is currently in progress and extends from Oct. 21 to Nov. 11. The term refers to the time in which it appears Mercury is moving backward, and that movement supposedly negatively impacts all forms of communication from advanced technology to interpersonal conversation. Many believe this is a time of misjudgment and miscommunication, such that it is ill-advised to make substantial decisions, travel, or engage in new activities. It is recommended to simply focus on clarifying, organizing, and taking care of existing projects and personal connections.

Perhaps this interesting situation will cause the team to pause to contemplate a particular situation? Maybe its negative impact will have a disruptive “one step forward, two steps back” result pertaining to G’s past, Deeks’ and Sam’s post-torture recovery, or one of the many relationships among the various team members? Whatever happens, it seems nothing good is indicated! Knowing all of this, how might “Mercury in retrograde” impact the team?

Do you think this case and/or astrological occurrence might “derail” the team NEXT… ON NCISLA?

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Next… on NCISLA! Big Brother (5×06) Preview by Gayle (@DensiLand)

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Big Brother (5×06) Preview

by Gayle (@DensiLand)

Written by Jordana Lewis Jaffe; Directed by Stephen DePaul

CBS Official Press Release – “Big Brother” (5×06) – Callen goes undercover at a prestigious high school after a 15-year-old hacker compromises terrorist missions, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Tuesday, Oct. 29.

With only a single line press release and a 19 second promo, much is left to the imagination in considering the next episode.  First, Callen is going undercover at a high school. In what capacity? A teacher? We’ve seen Callen relate to youngsters (typically younger than high school age), but this is part of a case. Will Callen potentially again connect with a student, or maintain his focus solely on the case?

Second, Deeks gets kicked in a “sensitive” area by one of the students. (Those prep school girls can be tough!) However, Deeks takes notable joy in the thought of Kensi going undercover as a teacher. (This is quite reminiscent of his affinity for the “naughty little librarian”!)

Third, as Kensi approaches the school in her undercover role, it appears she is struggling with the assignment.

Kensi:  Sorry. I can’t do this.

Sam: You can handle going back to high school!

Kensi:  It was a dark place, guys.

Does this mean we might gain more insight into Kensi’s youth? Her last years of high school would have been immediately following the death of her beloved father and possibly the same time she was “living on the streets”. Was “High School Kensi” the same “Bad Ass Blye” we see now, or was she a more free-spirited young woman in which life events drastically changed her, formed her into the tough agent of the present?

Fourth, since the case is set in a prestigious high school and deals with computer hacking, it’s curious this wasn’t used as a key opportunity to send Nell &/or Eric into the field. Will the team have to enhance their technical knowledge or will “Neric” seamlessly guide them from Ops?

With most of the team having endured unpleasant experiences in their youth, how do you think they will individually handle a return to that time of their lives NEXT… on NCIS: Los Angeles?

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Next… on NCISLA! Unwritten Rule (5×05) Preview by Gayle (@ghartler)

Unwritten Rule (5×05) Preview
by Gayle (@ghartler)

Written by Joseph C. Wilson and Jordana Lewis Jaffe; directed by Larry Teng. 

CBS Official Press Release – “Unwritten Rule” – Analyst Nell Jones joins the NCIS: LA team in the field when a former Navy officer’s girlfriend is kidnapped in exchange for Navy intelligence. Meanwhile, Deeks unknowingly breaks one of Hetty’s rules, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Tuesday, Oct. 22 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Diehard NCIS:LA fans should recall the fact the show recorded 25 episodes last season, instead of the traditional 24. Questions lingered throughout summer hiatus as to when this “extra” episode would air and how it would fit into the progression of the story lines. Apparently those questions and more will be answered this week as 4×25/5×05 is presented.

After the milestone 100th episode centering on the advancement of Callen’s backstory, this week turns the focus to Nell and Deeks. When Navy intelligence is involved, it’s only fitting for Intelligence Analyst, Nell Jones, to join the team in the field. Will we see our Brainy Nell or Brawny Nell? The high-IQ professional from Ops or perhaps a weapon-wielding firecracker ready to ensure the safety of an innocent victim, all while maintaining the security of Navy secrets?

Then we find the unpredictable Deeks cruising around on a motorcycle! In the promo, Callen firmly states, “We don’t take unnecessary risks.” Yet Deeks counters that he jumped off a speeding train to take out a psychopath before breakfast! We also see Kensi tackle Deeks out of the way of a speeding van.

Could this be a phase of Deeks’ recovery? He’s previously been shot and tortured. He’s seen both Callen and Sam survive the same. He’s also seen Kensi literally bounce back from getting hit by a car and Sam recently escaping a flipped-over automobile. Could he now consider himself invincible? Did enduring hours of torture bring him to think he can survive anything and elevated his risk-taking behavior? Perhaps he now feels more carefree in considering how short life can be and has decided to wholeheartedly embrace it? Or could this just be part of yet another undercover persona?

Regardless of the reasoning behind it, the overriding questions of this episode may very well be: What is Hetty’s “Unwritten Rule” and what is she going to do to Deeks for having broken it?

What do you think we will learn about these lovable characters Next… on NCIS: Los Angeles? 
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Next… on NCISLA! Reznikov, N. (5×04) Preview by Gayle (@ghartler)

©Jacqniv

©Jacqniv


Reznikov, N. (5×04) – The 100th episode Preview!

by Gayle (@ghartler)

Written by:  Shane Brennan; Directed by:  Tony Wharmby

CBS Official Press Release – “Reznikov, N.” – The NCIS: LA team finds themselves in danger while investigating a kidnapping case of a man claiming to be Callen’s father, on the 100th episode of NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Tuesday, Oct. 15 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

It’s time to celebrate! While the cast and crew acknowledged their accomplishment in August, this week we applaud their efforts in reaching the milestone 100th episode! News about this special episode began in June with creator and executive producer Shane Brennan teasing, “[The 100th episode] may play with the show’s format a little” and will “kick off an arc that runs right through the end of the season.” TV Line.com. Mr. Brennan also shared the storyline will be a “watershed” experience for Deeks and Callen. Surely Brennan has keen insight since he wrote this particular episode! An altered format? Watershed? It has felt like the show has ascended to a new level already this season and this distinctive 100th episode looks to continue the trend.

The promotion for this episode reemerged again in August through tweets from executive producer John Peter Kousakis. He provided, “To all anticipating a small tease…Callen encounters a recurring nemesis in Ep.504-100!” and “Promised spoiler: GCallen discovers more of his history, in a big way EP.504-100”.

Being a landmark episode written by the show’s creator, it’s no surprise the plot returns to its roots: the enigma that is G. Callen. Via the promo it appears another significant advancement is made in Callen learning about his past. A new character is introduced as Callen’s father! Is this a monumental revelation or yet another mystery? (Notice the press release states, “claiming” to be his father.) Does this mark the return of one or more of the Comescu family? Remember this is to be a “watershed” episode for Deeks and Callen. So are they somehow connected in this storyline or does Deeks’ PTSD take another troubling turn?

While we’ve just barely recovered from the Sam/Deeks torture and Callen/Janvier deceit, clearly it’s Callen’s turn to take us on an emotional rollercoaster. Will those items in Callen’s mantle box finally come together to resolve the issues of his young life or will yet another clue be added?  Finally, the burning question brewing for most Callen fans is: Will he/we ever learn what the “G” stands for?!

In considering all the diverse details already presented about Callen’s past, known and unknown, what do you think is NEXT… on NCIS: Los Angeles?

 

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Next… on NCISLA! Omni (5×03) Preview by Gayle (@ghartler)

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Omni (5×03) Preview

by Gayle (@ghartler)

Written by:  Kyle Harimoto; Directed by:  Larry Teng

Official CBS Press Release – While the NCIS:LA team investigates the death of a bio tech CEO whose company was working on a classified vaccine, Deeks wrestles with his emotions as he returns to the job.

Start your engines!

The team is headed to the track! Even though the last case involving the plane wasn’t fully solved (stay tuned for a future continuation of that one), the team moves on to investigate a new case in which Sam gets the distinct task of chasing down a bright yellow Lamborghini! And what is sure to be an interesting turn of events, Kensi ends up racing around in Hetty’s Cobra Jaguar! While surely this was necessitated for a “cover” (yeh, right), the daredevil driver that is Kensi Blye is sure to enjoy this stolen moment!

 

@cbs

@cbs

 

Is this a sign the team is getting a little out of control? Last week Eric referred to a camera hidden within a garden gnome as the “Hetty cam” and now Kensi is zipping around in one of her prized possessions. A little brazen, don’t you think? Have they forgotten about Hetty’s ninja skills and her terror-inducing letter opener?!

This episode initiates Kyle Harimoto as an NCISLA writer, bringing plenty of experience from his time with the also-exciting Hawaii Five-0. For this we extend a warm, “Aloha, Kyle”! After the drama and humor of “Impact” (5×2), it appears this week the show returns to its deep roots in the action department with fast cars, of which at least one goes “boom”!

Our distant detective returns to the team and the field. In continuing the PTSD storyline, Deeks is realistically still struggling. In fact, the official press release terms it “wrestles with his emotions”. Does this refer to the abduction/torture, issues with Sam, feelings for Kensi, or some larger combination? Key questions for this topic are:

  • How is the PTSD now impacting him and his work?
  • Is he still maintaining distance from team and Kensi or seeking out/accepting their support?
  • Will he encounter a “trigger” that causes his issues to resurface? If so, what might such a trigger be?
  • How will he work through (or ignore) his issues?

As each team member reengages with each other and a new case, what do you think is NEXT… on NCIS: Los Angeles?

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