NCIS: Los Angeles Review: Black Market (Season 8 Episode 4)
Whatever it is that NCIS: LA is doing that other shows have yet to figure out – it’s time to get on it. Because eight years in, this show is as good as it’s ever been.
If not better.
“Black Market” is more proof of this. The case-of-the-week is interesting, the team is entertaining and suitably concerned about the matters of national security they’re dealing with and they all work very well together.
And yet, they’re also all thinking about Kensi. They’re understanding and even bit gentle with Deeks. They’re sad, and defiant and just …concerned.
They’re a family, maybe, in ways they have never been.
I’ve been critical before, plenty of times. In developing Densi, sometimes the show has neglected the team. They’ve made it to be Kensi and Deeks, Sam and Callen, Eric and Nell, Granger and Hetty.
Teams within the teams.
Why don’t you switch it all up, I asked? Why don’t you show us that, despite their differences, despite their preferences, they’re all a family?
Maybe because they were saving it for now.
Of course, it’s hard to blame them for taking too long if, what we got thanks to their focus was Densi – arguably the most mature, adult relationship on TV.
Now, I’m a fan of Kensi and Deeks. I always have been. And yes, they’ve had their ups and downs (the writers have had their ups and downs), but in the last two seasons they’ve been the true definition of relationship goals.
There’s no drama for the sake of drama in this relationship. No Deeks leaving Kensi’s bedside for because he needs time, he isn’t sure about the engagement, he feels guilty, or any other artificial reason. Instead, there’s Deeks putting aside his pain and his fear because that’s what Kensi needs from him right now.
Before, with the actual communication and the being honest with your partner about everything – even the things that you’re ashamed of – they were already near the top of the list of OTPs people should be paying attention to. Now? Well, they might be in the running for the top spot.
And, more importantly for the show, now all the cogs in the machine are working perfectly. Now Nell and Eric don’t feel isolated, and Hetty is the caring mother/boss of old. Now Granger is not just an outsider who’ll never fit it, he’s one of the guys.
What is NCIS: LA doing right these days? Plenty. And people should be paying attention.
But, if you don’t have time, don’t worry. I have a feeling this show is going to be around for a while.
Other things to note:
- Why doesn’t Deeks ever get to drive? And does he complain about everyone’s driving? He often complains about Kensi too.
- Why the little gun, Nell? Why the little gun?
- Tell me that the thing with Granger and Kensi’s mom was nothing. Tell me. I’m not sure I can process that.
- I might have teared up at Eric’s: “She’s irreplaceable” regarding Kensi. What? I’m human. I have feelings.
- I know Hetty’s powerful, but her ordering Kensi out of a coma is a bit too much, okay? A bit too much.
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 Sundays at 8/7c 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
2 comments
This was a really good review of a good episode of a really great show. Thank you so much for writing it. I agree with everything you said. I think they are doing a good job of using the team to cover for Kensi and a good job of integrating her storyline into the episode. I loved Eric Christian Olsen’s two performances in the hospital with Kensi. The final scene where he kisses her head was just very emotional. I am not sure how I feel about the final scene with Hetty , I would have preferred Kensi responding to Deek’s forehead kisses rather than Hetty’s order.
I guess we saw a different episode.
This episode was boring from the beginning to the end. Nothing more. No secial storyline no special case no nothing. This writer has no talent to write a good episode. All of the other episode of this writer are the same. There were so many mistakes in this episode I don’t think this writer ever has done a proper research. eg. the Kensi sheet – I thought Kensi was in the Legend episode 1 and 2 but according to the sheet she was a member of the osp 06/09. Sorry this is more than a rookie mistake.
There was no suspense.
It was nothing – the scene with Granger and Kenis mom. Sorry.
This season will be as boring I guess as S5 since it is the same situation. The stories and cases has to be extra short (and meaningless) due to the boring Kensi/Deeks scenes in the hospital and Kensis recovery. I would have loved if the writers and producers would have cut Kensi out of all the season and bring in someone new (maybe only for this season, maybe longer). But this is a repeat of season 5 so we know there will be more boring cases and more boring hospital scenes.
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