Review: NCISLA “The Frozen Lake” (S5E10)

Deeks and Densi lovers always look forward to a new Dave Kalstein NCIS: Los Angeles script with great anticipation. Although there have been some great Densi episodes produced by other writers in the past, nobody writes for Deeks as well as Kalstein does. He knows the man and he is able to do justice to the character. This is a story about a struggle fought on two different battlefields: love and war. Although Callen and Sam have their challenges in this episode, it's the aftermath of Densi's unique date night that we want to see played out. How will Kensi and Deeks make this partnership work now that they have taken their relationship to the next level or are we headed for a great, big tsunami? Dave's script is complemented by the technical expertise of John P. Kousakis behind the camera and Rafael Kayanan, the show's fight director. Not a bad creative duo to have your six, I’d say.

Deeks Not Talking… Interesting

Nothing like a beheading to start the show off with a bang but even better was the awkward pas de deux between Kensi and Deeks as they greet each other the day after. Leave it to Callen and Sam to rub it in too! The banter was gleefully flying, making the newly-cast lovers wish they were anywhere but in the same room. (Sam:  No, no, no!) Luckily they don’t have to suffer the embarrassment any longer as a new case presents itself and the team is off to recover a missing thumb drive. The information was stolen from a dead Naval consultant and it laid out a plan to seize Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal in case of an emergency. The base in Bahrain is secured by Gurkha commandos who are now suspect in the murder due to their ability to handle a knife like the one used in the killing.

The thumb drives makes its way back to Los Angeles and the team sets out to retrieve the missing device. Here's our first clue that all is not right between Kensi and Deeks as she brutally slugs him for not taking the shot during their confrontation with the killers. He’s unsure and decides to protect her instead of following protocol. Kensi is not happy if their new found relationship means that she is going to be treated differently by her partner and now her lover. It’s not yesterday anymore and Hetty is now wondering if the team is mission ready.

I’m Standing on My Frozen Lake

Finally, we understand the meaning behind the title of this episode. Kensi explains to Deeks that she feels their relationship is not going to work because she is standing on her frozen lake. Sayoc training teaches that the frozen lake is something that you want most in the world and you will do anything so bad to get it but your heart takes over and it winds up destroying you in the end. Pretty heady stuff here. Deeks understands the metaphor and realizes that the ice is cracking quickly all around them. Olsen and Ruah knocked this one out of the park….so beautifully played between the two of them.

Watch for the Blade!

Once Pakistan rebels have been identified in the theft, another one of the suspects is found murdered and Callen surmises the Gurkha could be behind the ambush and out for revenge to clear the Gurkha name. Once they identify a possible suspect in the crowd, Sam and Callen decide to take on the commando together! Rafael Kayanan was correct when he tweeted this was some of the best action work performed by the cast as a whole. Kayanan, a Sayoc Combat specialist, planned the intricate fight sequences down to the last detail. I enjoyed watching how the scene was choreographed and you could tell nothing was left to chance.

Clearing the Gurkha name was not only the reason to find the thumb drive, the intel could help India protect themselves and gain a step up on their crumbling relationship with Pakistan. This Gurkha could come back a hero. With orders from SecNav, the team recruits the Gurkha soldier to help recover the missing thumb drive. (Deeks:  It’s never easy when you start to care. I guess this makes this his Frozen Lake.) Callen also decides as leader that Kensi and Deeks need to be separated which lead to a different kind of awkward silence.

It was a great move in the storyline to have Deeks work alongside the Gurkha. The detective has to trust in the man because he knows if the Gurkha can control his emotions so can Deeks. (Brother, I got to believe that because if you can do that so can I.) I love the way he teaches Deeks about honor and discipline. (Thapa: The heart needs discipline.) It was an uplifting moment until the Gurkha goes rogue and takes off with the thumb drive.

You Are Not in This Alone….

There was a lot of coming clean by Deeks and Sam in this segment. Sam tries to pound it into Deeks’ head that he’s not alone but Deeks feels he’s at fault for Thapa’s disappearance and blames what happen earlier between him and Kensi. Deeks knows how to make things right again and goes off in search of Hetty.

Kalstein uses his creative radar and takes the subtle events in the real world and perhaps even in his own life and sends us on a journey of some honest and authentic storytelling. He has obviously listened to how people speak, act and react which makes for some fantastic television and not just the same old regurgitation of shows we are used to watching. Dave takes what he knows and what he has observed and uses it effectively, particularly in the Fern and Max scene. At that one point in time, they are just a boy and girl asking each other to love and accept each other… pure and simple! With so much simplicity comes the stripped down truth… and that’s a beautiful thing. Whether they are official or not is still an unknown at this point.

It Took You Long Enough…

Deeks realizes that even a Gurkha can have a hard time controlling his emotions and decides to go easy on himself for his past indiscretion. He’s going to go back to being Deeks and trusting his instincts. If he is going to have a relationship with Kensi, he’s not going to let it rule his emotions any longer. And so he takes the shot! The final scene between the partners was beautiful. Kensi takes the first steps in communicating about their ‘thing,’ to Deeks’ amusement and asks for his patience. I just loved seeing this interaction between the two and want to believe with all my heart that they are on the right track… perhaps if they can follow the Gurkha’s advice this relationship might have a chance. Unfortunately for the star crossed lovers, Hetty has other plans for them. We have to trust and hope that they will wait for each other.

Bravo Zulu’s all around for this wonderful episode. What I enjoyed the most was how it pushed us out of our comfort zone, keeping us on edge and definitely wanting more… and that’s damn good storytelling. The writing was clear and vibrant and I will go so far as to say it’s the best work Kalstein has done on the show by far. The labor behind the camera was also brilliantly brought forth on the screen making it, for me, the most enjoyable episode of the season as well. I really can’t ask for anything more. Great collaborative effort from the entire NCISLA team!

Memorable Moments

• Hetty had a different banter going on with Granger after witnessing the dance between Kensi and Deeks. Interesting that Hetty was willing to express her concern to Granger and knew he would understand. Looking forward to that backstory.
• I was stunned at how quickly Kensi gave up on the relationship but then that’s Kensi… the glass is always half empty. This was probably one of the most heartbreaking moments the two have ever had… trying to face their love head on but not knowing how to make it work.
• When Deeks states he’ll do the right thing…is he talking about the Gurkha or himself?
• This is the first time we get to watch Deeks go undercover as a lawyer. It was really interesting to watch how secure and comfortable he was with his real life persona.

Deeks and Kensi Face to Face

Deeks: Can you for a second just pretend that I’m not Deeks and for a second pretend that you’re not Kensi…and we’re not partners, and no one’s trying to save the planet? Can we pretend for a second that we are just a boy and a girl that are hanging out?  We can drive around in my pickup truck, go get ice cream, go bowling? But that’s the thing because the possibilities are endless. We’re young and we have all the time in the world.
Kensi: My name is Fern, hi.
Deeks:  You’re Fern? Well, it’s so nice, so nice to meet you, Fern. I’m Max.
Kensi: Nice to meet you.
Deeks: You have any plans for tonight?
Kensi:  I don’t know. It’s complicated.
Deeks: Not from where I’m standing it’s not.
Kensi:  I have a boyfriend.
Deeks:  So does my girlfriend.
Kens: That’s a nice suit.

—–

Deeks: Wow, nothing brings out your inner fan girl like a guy with a knife.

—–

Kensi: We’re going to figure this out. All we got to do is talk about it.
Deeks: Ok, but you don’t really like the talking about it.
Deeks: Yeah, but I promise I’ll be better talking about this.
Deeks: What do you mean by ‘this’?
Kensi: This… you know.
Deeks: This thing?
Kensi: Yes, our thing.
Deeks: Sorry I didn’t hear you because there were so many people walking by, maybe you can just say it louder? Just for me, just once, just say it…
Kensi: I hate you!
Deeks: You don’t, you don’t, you don’t hate me.
Kensi: Our thing.
Deeks: Wow

See, here’s the paradox… just because two people love one another, it doesn’t mean that they’re meant to be together. It’s easy to say they just need to fight for their love and work it out but sometimes love shouldn’t have to be this hard either and it fails. There is so much unopened baggage between these two, personally and professionally. Until they (Kensi) can learn to accept each other AND, they (Deeks) understand what the other needs, then it’s doomed to failure unless they can adapt and change. With Kensi’s reassignment there’s going to be a lot of that going on too.  But this also makes for great drama and the reason I have come back again and again for the last 4 years just to watch the Densi waltz. I want to see these two together and I will cheer with every positive step they take and cry when they stumble and take two steps back. Kensi and Deeks had me at hello. I’m strapped in my seat and ready to see where the rest of the journey takes us.

Classic Deeks

Callen: What the… anomaly in the room?
Sam:  Deeks hard at work?
Callen:  Deeks not talking.
Sam:  Interesting.
Callen:  Very interesting.
Deeks:  Interesting?  But no. Not interesting.
Sam:  Now that’s interesting.
Callen:  Don’t mind us, Deeks.
Sam:  No eye contact.
Callen:  Elevated heart rate.
Sam:  Not from the coffee.
Callen:  Sweaty, and it’s not from the climate.
Deeks:  Come on guys!  I think that maybe the coffee is strong today.
Callen:  Changing the subject and he’s got some dark rings under his eyes.

—-

Thapa:  The Gurkha’s have a saying:  Better to die, than be a coward.
Deeks:  Wow, I think my regular partner must be a Gurkha in a past life.
Thapa:  He must be brave.
Deeks:  Well she… she’s the bravest.

Classic Deeks and Hetty

Deeks:  Hetty, I can make this thing right.
Hetty:  You have several problems, Mr. Deeks.  What are we talking about?

—-

Deeks:  Anything else I should know, Hetty?
Hetty:  Button up Mr. Deeks, its cold out there.

Stop by tomorrow and take a peek into Deeks’ surf log and find out his thoughts about Kensi and the mission.  We will be back with more fabulous pictures from The Frozen Lake and a special Thanksgiving fan fic from Sweet Lu.  In the meantime, leave your comments below and get the conversation going about tonight’s episode!  We know you have an opinion of what happened, so let’s hear it!

 

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EPISODE INFO
Title: “The Frozen Lake”
Writer: Dave Kalstein
Director: John P. Kousakis
Original Air Date: November 26, 2013

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Diane Volpe is Contributing Editor at wikiDeeks.com. Follow her on Twitter: @phillydi