NCIS: Los Angeles Review: Blame It On Rio (Season 7 Episode 5)

For a fan of NCIS: LA what I’m about to say might sound like blasphemy, but I’ve never seen one episode of NCIS in my entire life. The only things I know about Michael Weatherly are that he was very good in Dark Angel and that he’s NCIS’’s version of Deeks.

At least, those were the only things I knew

Because, yes, he is funny, especially when he gets to do the double act with Deeks or play off Sam’s serious persona, but Tony DiNozzo is more than a funny guy. I don’t really know what he is yet, but if the whole thing with this episode was to make me give NCIS a chance, then I’ll go ahead and call it a win.

For an episode with less urgency than our usual OMG Terrorist is going to blow up the city plots, this hour did more than make me think I have to check out another show, though. It reminded me of the things I liked about this one. Like Eric and Nell reaching absurd levels of geekness, Sam and Callen bantering like two people who’ve been partners for ages, and Kensi and Deeks being more than just supporting acts in the Sam and Callen show.

It also brought back the scary and yet maternal Hetty of old. It might be a stretch to ask us to believe that this is all Hetty is at this point, but it’s still nice to see that version of her.

And we haven’t even gotten to the bad guy yet. In fact, we never ever discuss the bad guy. Why would we? In NCIS: LA they usually kill the bad guys. This time, though, they don’t, and what a relief it is, because our villain of choice was a breath of fresh air. So often the targets are inconsequential, just an endless parade of faces doing and saying vaguely threatening things. In this case, though, I’m going to remember our prisoner for a very, very long time. In fact, is it too soon to ask that he become a permanent fixture in this show? Is this even possible? No? Can we at least book him for another guest starring role soon? Soon-ish?

My only complaint about the episode is this: So far, they’ve done a really good job with the Kensi and Deeks relationship. I realize that they’re treading on dangerous ground here; no one wants Densi to get too lovey-dovey while they’re working. It would be unrealistic. They’ve had a dynamic for years, and that dynamic has worked. Why change what works?

Except things have changed. I’m not asking for Kensi to reassure Deeks that she has no interest in DiNozzo at the first sign of Tony flirting with her, but I am asking for Kensi to stop behaving like Deeks is just her partner who she’s trying to wound up. These are supposed to be two adults in a serious relationship. Stop playing for the laughs. You’re doing this relationship a disservice.

Other things to note:

• This episode suffered from the same problem as almost every episode this year: Too much Granger, too little Hetty. I don’t always like Hetty, but at least I feel something for her. Granger is just meh.
• Callen and Sam being all like, I’ll tell Deeks about this, no, I’l tell Deeks about that, was frankly, adorable. Not only because it serves to showcase how many adventures these two have had together, but because it speaks to the fact that they’re truly a team now. In light of what we know is coming for Deeks, this is important.
• The whole that ship, what ship conversation between DiNozzo and Deeks was very meta, and very, very fun. Put YOU’RE SHIPPING US? right at the top of the list of things I never thought I’d hear on a TV show.
• I missed part of the scene because I was laughing so hard at Sam’s: Black don’t crack response when Callen inquired about plastic surgery.
• GODZILLA was equally hilarious. I might have to refer to Sam as Godzilla from now on.
• One tiny gripe: Why is it that Callen and Sam were not on coms when they went after the bad guy? Makes no sense.
• Also, NCIS: LA , you can quit it with the Deeks homeless jokes already. He does NOT look like a homeless guy.
• Does everybody in America own a gun or something? is only a funny question because of the climate we live in.
• MY OWN A-TEAM, Rio said. MY OWN A-TEAM. I need to go re-watch this episode, just for the laughs. Sam as Mr. T. Priceless.

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What did you think of this week’s episode of NCIS: LA? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

NCIS: LA airs Mondays at 10/9c on CBS.

Lissete Lanuza Sáenz

Lawyer. Writer. Columnist. Geek. Falls in madly in love with fictional characters. Hates the color yellow, misogyny, and people who are late. Can always be found with a book. Watches an absurd amount of TV every week, often, while eating coffee ice cream. She has no regrets. You can check out her blog here: Absurday. Lissete is a senior writer for Tell-Tale TV. Follow @lizziethat