NCIS: Los Angeles Review: Command and Control (Season 7 Episode 4)

It was bound to happen, NCIS: LA. It was bound to happen.

This week, I’m going to try a new thing for this review: I’m going to split the piece up in three parts, where I’ll discuss what I liked, what I didn’t like, and what I absolutely hated. You know why I can do that? Because I’ve got enough material for all three of those categories!

The good

Cases that involve primarily the team and no outsiders are generally more engaging, and this week was no exception. Sure, the set-up was kinda obvious, as was the resolution; but in general, it’s easier to care about Callen and Sam than it is to care about strangers potentially blowing up.

I also found Nell somewhat endearing in her eagerness. She talks a good game when she’s with Eric in Ops, but out on the field she reverts to scared kitten, and since she’s the only one, she gets my sympathy.

Finally, Densi continues to be the best part of every episode. I’m not even saying that because I ship it, though, yes, I ship it. I’m saying it because this is one of the few honest and healthy relationships on TV. These are two people who can joke, have fun, have each other’s back and discuss serious issues. It’s almost like a real relationship! *gasp*

The bad

For an episode where Sam and Callen were featured so heavily, they were kinda…bland. I know this is supposed to be life-and-death, but where’s the banter? Where are the jokes? Deeks can make jokes even when he’s supposedly dying!

Also, for the sake of our enjoyment, the show should assume we don’t remember every bad guy that’s ever crossed their path. They almost always kill the bad guys anyway, how are we supposed to remember them? And if we don’t remember the bad guys, we really can’t make the connection with the bad guy’s older brother. Give us more information, please.

Eric is likewise in the bad category for me. Is he ever going to get an actual storyline that lasts more than one episode? No, I don’t count the fact that he asked Sam for weapons training in one episode a storyline, and no, the Jiu- Jitsu doesn’t count either.

And, there’s Densi. Plenty of good there, but a lot of potential for bad, thanks to the internal affairs investigation on Deeks. The show has so far laid the groundwork for this relationship to work. And yet, this show also loves drama. So I sense dark days ahead, my friends. Deeks-lying-to-Kensi days.

The ugly

A mole? AGAIN? How many times can you re-use the same storyline, NCIS: LA. How many times? You’ve already done the Callen goes rogue one three times. The worst part is not even that you’re doing the same thing; it’s that, once again, I don’t believe this mole will turn out to be anyone important.

It never is.

Other things to note:

• JOELLE IS ALIVE!!! I was starting to wonder.
• Is it just me or is every kiss between Daniela Ruah and Eric Christian Olsen uncomfortable as hell? I love Densi, but those two look like they don’t want to be kissing each other, which, let’s be real, they probably don’t.
• Callen’s hair is a bit on the long side, for him.
• Granger is not Mr. Miyaki. Drop it. We’re not buying it.
• Is Kensi living with Deeks or what? Wait, don’t answer that. The place is too clean, she’s probably not.
• I’m not Hetty’s biggest fan these days, but if I have to choose between her and Granger, I’ll pick her every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

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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.