NCIS: LA Review: Can’t Take My Eyes Off You (Season 12 Episode 12)

Callen’s efforts to get to the bottom of the Russian plot intensify with a message from Hetty in NCIS: LA Season 12 Episode 12, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”

Fresh off establishing an interesting story featuring Callen working undercover as a Russian agent to catch a mole, NCIS: LA took several steps back by having the plot actually lead to Anna’s stalker and a kidnapped Jo.

It’s such a huge bait and switch let down, as we thought we were getting a cool cloak and dagger spy story, instead it just turned into another one of Callen’s bad romance dramas.

Considering how off and on things are between them, it seems weird for the show to build a two-part episode around Anna, and a Russian spy we haven’t heard mentioned in a few seasons. Yes, it is unexpected, but it is also unwanted.

With his other ex Jo being kidnapped, this episode revolved around Callen’s bad luck in relationships. We hope that when all is said and done in the next episode, we spend a little more time on the Russian mole plot and a lot less time on Callen’s horrible exes.

As much as the show has tried, we’ve never fully invested in the Callen/Anna pairing. Her dishonesty has made it impossible to root for them, because we know in the end she’s going to break Callen’s heart.

The back and forth of their romance grew old several seasons ago, and we’re ready for NCIS: LA to move on from them.

It doesn’t help Callen’s character if one of the best undercover agents in the business is constantly taken in by a woman who lies to him at every turn. Frankly, it makes him seem weak. If it were anyone else, he wouldn’t keep letting them back into his life.

Let Callen find someone who respects him enough to be honest about her life. After everything he’s been through he deserves real happiness, and so do we. Personally, we wouldn’t be opposed to something happening between Callen and Fatima.

As Callen is drawn into Anna’s nonsense, Kensi and Deeks deal with a few obstacles on their fertility journey. The side effects of hormone shots sideline Kensi from fieldwork, and it’s a tough pill to swallow for such a strong, capable woman.

We have to applaud NCIS: LA for how it’s handled Kensi and Deeks’ fertility issues. The authenticity in how this has impacted the other parts of their lives is a sensitivity not normally seen on procedurals.

The couple isn’t just battling the emotional toll this is taking on them, now there are physical problems that can interfere with the important work they do and affect the rest of the team.

It was smart to have Kensi Deeks’ story balance out what was an otherwise uneven episode. It was one of those hours where everything else was far more interesting than the case. To make matters worse, it ends on a cliffhanger, so we’re not even done with this yet.

Someone let us know when we get more scenes of Kensi and Deeks, or Sam and Kam discussing her future.

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

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NCIS: LA airs Sunday at 9/8c on CBS.

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