NCIS: Los Angeles Review: Ghost Gun (Season 8 Episode 5)
There’s something in my eye, the saying goes. Like a tree, or a branch, or something.
Because yes, “Ghost Gun,” NCIS: LA’s fifth episode of season eight delivers the feels. And the action. But mostly the feels.
There’s your requisite bad guys down bad things in LA (it’s like everything happens in LA, I swear. Terrorists should really diversify), there’s banter, there’s the mole, there’s Anna, but most importantly, there’s finally some advancement in the coma storyline.
So, forgive me if I focus on Densi. Or, better yet, don’t. I’m sure there are people reviewing this show who can take the proper time to explore Anna, and how this show might have finally given us a character worthy of Callen.
Maybe other reviewers can take the time to marvel at Sam’s stare-down with the supposed mole and point out that the reason he’s so dangerous is not because of how imposing he is physically, but how smart he is at playing the game.
I, however, can only focus on Deeks.
Deeks and Hetty as they discuss the possibility of Kensi being left with lingering health issues – and whether Deeks can be the man she deserves. (Hint: He already is. He just needs to believe it)
Deeks as he makes jokes that irritate even his Mom, because he knows they would amuse Kensi.
Deeks who, when the woman he loves finally opens her eyes, is there to smile at her. Deeks who never really left her side. And Deeks who, when she freaks out because it seems like she can’t move the left side of her body, is there to tell her that he loves her and it’s okay.
It’s a lie, of course. Things are not okay. They might be in the future, but they are not now.
And yet it’s the lie you say. The one you have to.
Other shows have tried to do this story-line, with disastrous results. Just last year Arrow made Felicity Smoak being paralyzed all about Oliver’s manpain, without ever really exploring the fear, the hurt and the anger that comes from not being in control of your own body.
NCIS: LA seems like it’s going a different route. So far, this storyline has been a showcase for Eric Christian Olsen’s Deeks, and though we’ve loved seeing a devastating injury like this from the POV of the loved one (and a loved one with fears and doubts, but one who nonetheless stays), it’s time to see it from Kensi’s POV.
Deeks will, after all, be there. I’m sure of it. This is how much faith I have in Densi – how much faith I have in the writers to treat these two the way they deserve.
Now I want to go on this journey with Kensi. I want her to push to get better. I want her to be afraid, and angry and determined.
I want her to convince Deeks that she can’t marry him until she’s 100%. I want her back on the field, where she belongs. I want Daniela Ruah’s pregnancy to have resulted in a story-line that truly advanced all characters, not just paused them.
Who would have thought – it looks like I’m going to get my heart’s desire.
NCIS: LA is in its eight season, and before, I’ve refrained from saying you should all be watching because, well, that’s a lot of catch-up. I’m not keeping quiet anymore. You want a show that treats its characters with respect?
Watch this one. You won’t be disappointed.
Other things to note:
- Hetty was one of my favorites during the first few seasons on NCIS: LA. She sort of lost me with the Afghanistan thing, but she’s getting me back. Her words to Deeks were perfectly on point, and were just another example of this woman putting her team above everything. Welcome back, Hetty. I have missed you.
- When did I start – dare I say it – liking Granger? It’s a miracle.
- I enjoyed Anna before. Can’t say I missed her, but I enjoyed her. Now? Now I actively like her. Good writing, I tell you. Good writing.
- Best scene outside of the Deeks/Kensi stuff: Anna and Sam, in the armory. Oh, Sam. You’re gonna have fun with this, aren’t you?
- Sorta-awkward Callen is the best Callen, after all.
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
3 comments
I really enjoyed your review, it is nice to see a review that focuses on Densi . It is just so wonderful how the show is portraying these two characters , so unlike what most TV shows do. Eric Christian Olsen delivered three incredible scenes with Pamela Reed, with Linda Hunt , and of course, the final awesome scene with Danelia Ruah . I would like to see more Deeks and Kensi in the show in general. Although I understand having some focus on Kensi going forward, I do not want to lose the Deeks storyline . I think it is important for the show to show them as a couple, but also as separate individuals on this journey. As I said , I need more Deeks and Kensi. Thanks for a great review.
BTW, I do understand the person who comes each week and rates the episode one star, dragging down the average. If they really feel it is one star, I do not get why they keep watching.
I would also like to see Deeks and Kensi as separate individuals. We’ll probably get that for Kensi as part of the rehab. Deeks will be there to support her, but it will be mostly Kensi’s storyline. I do hope that we’ll get a good storyline for Deeks, but I don’t believe that will happen until the second half of the season at least, and more likely it will be postponed yet again until season 9. I’m getting very tired of waiting.
Agree, there are a lot of us waiting for the promised Deeks, M episode. First they promised it in season 5, then in season 8. Hopefully TPTB deliver it this season as promised.
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