NCIS: Los Angeles Review: Matryoshka (Season 7 Episode 15)
All setup and no action makes for a dull, dull episode of NCIS: LA.
The problem with two-parters is that they consist of two parts. In a regular episode you’ve got about fifteen-twenty minutes of setup, and then, the action comes. Usually, the action is interspersed with a few nice character moments, maybe some laughs. That’s the NCIS: LA formula. Tried and true. It works.
Except, when it comes two two-parters.
In a two-part episode, part one is usually just …well, setup. And setup is boring. Necessary, but boring. Which is pretty much how this episode of NCIS: LA can be described. I’d even do away with the necessary and leave the boring. I know we’re supposed to care about Arkady, but frankly, I don’t. It’s been a little more than half a season, and here we are, having fun without him. Or without Anna. We didn’t need them, and I, personally, didn’t want them to come back.
But, apparently, we can’t let go. Like Kate Winslet in the Titanic, we’re going to hold on …forever.
Next episode should find us in Russia, and when I say find us, I mean just Sam and Callen. I’m already not looking forward to it. This show always works better when the whole team is together, and sending all four would at least get me emotionally invested in more than one potential storyline. With only Sam/Callen and Anna going, well, that’s not even a possibility anymore. I already mentioned how much I don’t care for Anna or Arkady, right?
Perhaps it’s just me. Maybe some people care. I don’t know that there are many, however. Most of us care about the core four. Most of us care about the action, about getting the bad guys, about the cool mission. Setup is all nice and good, if it lasts like fifteen minutes.
Sometimes this show works. Lately, we could even say most times. Other times, however, it doesn’t. Today is one of those days. And the fact that we have to wait two weeks for part two doesn’t bode well for our possibilities of that turning out better than this.
Other things to note:
- “Why would they sent a woman?” “Why wouldn’t they send a woman, Deeks?” “Eh, because not all ladybirds have your skill, my love” “Still pretty sexist, my love.”
- The kilt thing makes no sense. It’s not funny. It’s not quirky. It’s just absurd. This show either tries too hard with Eric or tries too little. Balance is required.
- The way Kirkin calls Deeks Marty is both hilarious and cringe worthy.
- If Part 2 features a reveal of what the “G” means, I promise I will take bad all the things I said about this episode.
- An episode without Granger is a win in my book. Even if the reason why he’s gone is probably going to come back to bite us in the ass sometime soon. The Jennifer Kim mention was not gratuitous, that much is for sure.
- Even Hetty knows the likelihood of Sam and Callen obeying her commands is less than 0.1%
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.
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