NCIS: LA Review: Signs of Change (Season 12 Episode 16)

On NCIS: LA Season 12 Episode 16 “Signs of Change,” stolen technology leads Kensi to bond with a witness in the case. This season of NCIS: LA has been a mixed bag story-wise, so as the show heads into the home stretch of Season 12, we’re looking for it to finish strong.

“Signs of Change” feels like vintage NCIS: LA. Bad guys steal experimental Navy tech and the team must track it down before it ends up in the wrong hands.

There are no real surprises, but we enjoy the familiarity of it. It’s the TV equivalent of grilled cheese with tomato soup. Predictable, but comfortable.

The lone witness to the theft is Sienna Marchione, a deaf engineer who Kensi immediately bonds with over their devotion to service. Deeks backs off and gives Kensi the space to work with Sienna because he can feel it’s about something more than just helping her.

It’s sweet the way he instantly knows what Kensi needs and doesn’t hesitate to give it to her. So much of their story this season has been about fertility issues, it’s nice to see their relationship as a married couple who’ve been together for years be a part of the plot.

Sienna proves herself to be a good agent in the making. Considering that Kilbride seems disappointed by her being turned away by the military and that she plans to work on advocacy for others like her, we can almost certainly expect to see Sienna again.

Nell has worked all season to get comfortable being the boss. Admiral Kilbride in particular has made it clear Hetty may never come back, so it’s maddening when he completely undermines her authority by letting Sienna work the case.

Kilbride’s default setting is grumpy old man who yells a lot. Usually, it plays as tough love, but the way he constantly reminds Nell that she can’t rely on “What Would Hetty Do” is condescending in a manner that he would never use with Hetty.

We love Hetty and miss Linda Hunt, but we need a firm decision on what’s going to happen with her character. The constant disappearing act doesn’t help the show’s consistency.

Though Sam is injured while working the case, his primary concern is preparing for his daughter’s military academy graduation. With Kam embarking on adulthood, Sam reflects on all the moments his late wife Michelle won’t be there for.

Though it’s been a few years since Michelle died, her loss still weighs heavily on Sam. Callen comforts him, telling him that they will never let Michelle’s memory fade for the kids.

Sam and Callen are the foundation NCIS: LA is built on. Their unconditional friendship is what draws everyone together, as they’re essentially the parents of this motley bunch.

For viewers who’ve been around since NCIS Season 6 Episodes 22 and 23, “Legend Part I and II,” the show is at its best when Sam and Callen are front and center, bantering while chasing bad guys.

It’s genuinely nice to see the team actually working together again. Instead of it feeling like we’re watching separate individuals working on the same case, they’re a team, and it’s comfortably familiar.

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

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

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