NCIS: Los Angeles Review: Come Back (Season 7 Episode 14)

Some shows do relationship drama, and some shows just …don’t. You can officially count NCIS: LA as the later. Or, at the very least, you can count is as the type of show that refuses to do drama for the sake of drama.

I’d add it to the list, but I just don’t know of any other show that does.

When I saw the preview for this week I thought, oh, no. Mostly because I hate how Hetty always, always does this thing where she knows better and she keeps secrets and then acts like she’s still the kindly mother-like figure, and also because, why bring Jack right now if not to mess with Kensi and Deeks? What other reason could there be?

Forgive me for doubting you, NCIS: LA. I’ve clearly been watching too much of the wrong kind of television.

The case of the week is irrelevant (as they sometimes are). It’s all an excuse to bring back Jack, and all that entails. The team dynamics have changed so much in the past few episodes, that this time, the appearance of Jack has both Callen and Sam questioning Hetty to a degree. Which, right on. Someone should question Hetty.

Much more interestingly, however, Jack is meant not only to give Kensi closure but to put into perspective everything Deeks did to get her back from the mess that was the Afghanistan storyline. NCIS: LA has done a much better job this season of balancing the focus between the Callen/Sam partnership and the Kensi/Deeks relationship of sorts, and this episode, it was clearly Kensi/Deeks turn to shine.

From the “we’re moving together” announcement in the beginning of the episode (Isn’t it hilarious how Sam and Callen don’t treat it like something monumental, but something to be expected), to Kensi finally forgiving Jack, and recognizing her own mistakes in dealing with him, to Deeks saying out loud that he did torture someone for Kensi, and he probably would again, this episode is a shining example of how mature adults deal with things, of how mature relationships work. Jack wasn’t an obstacle, no. He was never going to be one. He was just another hurdle they had to get through, together.

Your OTP could never …is the phrase. And in this case, it’s probably spot on. Your OTP could never…

Other things to note:

• A little warning would be nice, Hetty. That’s all I’m asking. A LITTLE WARNING.
• Just once, it would be nice if you didn’t kill the possible witnesses, Callen. JUST ONCE.
• How does Jack know what Deeks did? Did you tell him, Hetty? Because that’s crossing the line.
• Oh, wait, what am I talking about? This is Hetty. THERE IS NO LINE.
• I’m in love with the way Deeks checks on Kensi RIGHT AWAY when they see Jack. And with the way he leaves them alone so they can talk. And with the way he urges her to say whatever it is she’s keeping in. I’m basically in love with in-a-relationship Deeks.
• Once again, I’m back to asking: Why is Granger needed? He adds nothing to the team.

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

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

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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