NCIS: Los Angeles Review: Under Siege (Season 8 Episode 14)
It’s hard to separate TV from real life, the image of a beloved actor that passed away too soon from that of the character who’s still alive and fighting. And yet, NCIS: LA Season 8 Episode 14 “Under Siege” asks us to do just that.
To honor Miguel Ferrer while still letting Owen Granger tell his story – or, what’s left of it.
We left off two weeks ago in a cliffhanger, and we pick up with our team in exactly the same position we left them – not doing so good. Deeks is in jail, where IA Mean Lady Whiting is trying to get him to break, Granger is in the hospital, Sam is actually breaking the guy who’s supposed to be interrogating him, and Callen is just …playing games.
They get nowhere, though, because as good as they are, they’re just in too deep. Which is where the rest of the team comes in.
Rarely has NCIS: LA managed an episode as balanced as this one. Everyone’s got a moment to shine, from Nell helping Callen break out and Kensi being a bad-ass even while getting kidnapped to Eric coordinating everything. This is a team effort, and everyone gets to pinch in.
Especially Hetty, who actually had a plan after all.
It just so happens that her plan involved getting everyone into custody so no one would get in her way. It also happens that her plan didn’t account for Kensi getting kidnapped by the not-really-friendly Sullivan, who isn’t even called Sullivan in the first place, but Ferris.
Doubt it accounted for Granger getting stabbed either.
She’s good, Hetty. She’s just not perfect.
But hey, at least the mole story-line is somewhat resolved, and with Sabatino still alive to provide information, I have to imagine the cavalry is coming for Kensi next episode.
I just hope they find all of her.
Bad joke, bad joke. I don’t actually think NCIS: LA is going to be telling another disability story with Kensi, so I’m pretty sure they’ll find a way to save her. Things don’t look so good for Granger, though.
When Owen Granger first appeared, I wasn’t a big fan. I only warmed up to him recently. I was, however, a big fan of Miguel Ferrer.
It was impossible not to be.
The mole story-line is done, and yet it’s not. The team still has to save Kensi. They presumably have to get some answers.
And yet, this episode, as satisfying as it was in some aspects, and as well-balanced as it was, is still somewhat heartbreaking. We get a few seconds of Granger, and yet, they leave a mark.
You’re still not gone, but we’ll miss you, Owen Granger. We’ll miss you, Miguel Ferrer.
We won’t ever forget what you taught us, we’ll never forget those words to Deeks in episode six that ring all the more true right now.
The team won’t give up. They’ll have Kensi’s back. And they’ll go on, even with a Granger-sized hole.
But it’ll never be the same.
Other things to note:
- “Tiny” thinks Deeks is funny. Well, guess what “Tiny”? We agree!
- Why does everyone continuously underestimate Deeks? Is it the hair? This man withstood torture and didn’t say one word.
- It might be the hair.
- I wouldn’t want Sam to interrogate me – I mean, to interrogate Sam.
- Splitting up is always a bad idea, I’m with Eric on that one.
- Deeks the people person/amateur psychologist may be my favorite part of this entire episode.
- Go to hell, Sullivan. I didn’t think you were an actual threat, not to Densi, but this is just uncalled for.
- Also, Sabatino? The message I’m getting here is that anywhere who tries to come between Densi is 100% evil. I can get behind this.
- You were warned to stay out of the Middle East? As far as motivations go, that’s thin.
- Also, are we ever getting an explanation as to whether this was CIA sanctioned or not?
- I don’t like Whiting, but I don’t want her to die either, okay?
- Kensi was safe at the end of last episode, so this time we gotta worry about her? Is that how it works?
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.
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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
3 comments
Another great review of a really great episode. It was an action packed epsiode that flew by, I cannot believe we have to wait three weeks for the conclusion. I think my favorite scene was when Deeks was holding Whiting and confessing, just beautifully acted by both. I was not surprised Sullivan was evil, he knew way too much about Kensi and Deeks not to be a plant at the rehab center. I did not think he was a threat to Densi but I found him totally disrespectful in a very macho way to Kensi so I could not see him as a plant from anyone who liked and respected her.
I just love this show but it really lets you hanging. Deeks reminds me of Scooby doo. I think its the hair. But Deeks & Kensi just don’t go together. The team will get there to save Kensi she can’t die and no more rehab for her.
I agree that Deeks brings to mind Scooby Doo (he needs to clean up), and I don’t think he and Kensi make a good couple. Sorry!
The team will definitely save Kensi, and I actually think she’ll be saved early in the next episode. I don’t think she’s going to be the agent who’s tortured by the mole. Ferris isn’t actually the mole (that was Sabatino), but the cast has said there’s another mole–someone on the NCIS team–and that person will be revealed next week (I don’t think they meant Carl because it was after Carl had been discovered). I loved Sam and Callen (this showed a darker side to Callen which made him seem more dangerous), but Deeks was the same goofy guy (although I didn’t understand why he didn’t ask for his union rep). I actually like Whiting–she’s tough, but she’s right: Deeks did kill his partner–and she has a very tough job, especially for a woman (makes me think of Rader in Major Crimes). I like any woman character who can pull her own working side-by-side with guys.
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