Review: NCISLA “Inelegant Heart” (S6E2)

R. Scott Gemmill has been keeping pretty busy these days! Having penned the last two episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles, will Gemmill succeed in pulling off the proverbial hat trick? He gets some help from our favorite executive producer and director, John P. Kousakis and together their combined talents carry us into the second episode of the season, “Inelegant Heart”. Hetty may have been able to postpone her trip to Washington but this week she will finally have to face the music and account for her actions in Afghanistan. Poor Hetty is persona non grata these days and it doesn’t look good for the diminutive ninja, does it? And what’s this? A new look for G Callen? Is he just getting tired of shaving or is it part of an undercover disguise? We get to find all this out but not before Kensi and Deeks take to the mats!

Welcome to Thunderdome!

Normally I would find this Densi scene amusing and a great way to sneak a private peek into the partners’ everyday work life. Unfortunately, there has been much discussion lately about Kensi’s more physical side to her nature and even though this is a legitimate sparring session, as usual Kensi aggressively goes for the take down. Why can’t they start the show off with a friendly game of chess instead? Just saying? Thankfully, the mouth guard discussion at the end with Eric distracted my attention from all the fighting at least enough to forget the reasons behind that whole fight scene. Thank you, Mr. Beale.

With Hetty away, the team must investigate the death of a Naval cyber defense contractor and his involvement in the illegal transactions of confidential information over the internet. Up in Ops, the wonder twins describe what this Amazon for Terrorists is all about and the team is sent out to find his killers. Granger pulls Callen and Sam away from another undercover mission and despite the extreme nature of the current case the two agents aren’t happy. The Assistant Director’s attitude to disrupting their undercover mission was typical Granger, arrogant and aloof. You have to shake your head over his dysfunctional supervisory style.

Back in Washington, the question we have all been wanting to ask is finally put to Hetty: Why was Kensi picked for the White Ghost mission? Her meager answer doesn’t satisfy the group and she keeps stonewalling the committee. What is the real mystery and why does she refuse to disclose the truth?

They Make Those?

Kensi and Deeks’ investigation of the crime scene is typical Densi…Kensi complaining about geeks and their toys and Deeks critiquing Kensi’s nurturing skills. The banter keeps rolling until they find the contractor’s interest in conspiracy theories along with a full hazmat suit for those ‘end of the world’ dress-up occasions. Callen and Sam discover the man was prone to paranoia and lived his life online. A loner at best, this computer introvert was always looking over his shoulder and for good reason.

Intruder Alert!

Without warning the team is stunned to find the Department of Justice knocking on the Mission doors and ordering a forensic audit of the building and its occupants. For once Granger is lost for words and tries to stall the investigation but can’t stop the real reason for the audit which is to destroy Hetty and take down the whole LA operation. The committee has opened up a door to Hetty’s past and they are using all of her past deeds to call her to task. This is going to get ugly.

Meanwhile, the agents make themselves scarce during the siege and come up with the intel that provides proof that the Navy contractor was trying to extort money from the internet terrorists by exposing its leader and his operation. The team comes up with a viable plan to draw the kingpin, Papa Legba out of hiding and his apprehension and capture shortly follow.

There were some light hearted moments that I particularly enjoyed throughout the episode:   With a cryptic message from Hetty, Nell sabotages the DoJ’s investigation with Eric’s help (Eric: Hope you use protection….for the surges.)… Densi’s macabre mission at the morgue (Deeks: If this guy leaks dead guy juice on me, I’m going to freak out.)….And Eric working out in the field alongside Callen and Sam to catch the killer. (Callen to Sam: You clearly shouldn’t have any pets.) Finally, leave it to our favorite brain to figure out the identity of Papa Legba which shuts down the operation, and effectively putting him out of business. Case closed!

But this isn’t over by a long shot. Hetty has more pressing problems than being grilled by a government agency on her past doings. Someone is out to kill her and the story continues…. In some ways, I think this would have been a more suspenseful cliffhanger than “Deep Trouble” at the end of Season 5. Hetty’s intricate backstory and her involvement in the White Ghost provide us with an exciting mystery to solve and gives us some long awaited answers! I’m looking forward to next week but something tells me this is just the beginning of the team’s problems.

PS. If anyone has a clue as to what the title of this episode means, please let me know in the comments below. Or perhaps we’ll find out next week!

Memorable Moments

• Ah, the bromance is back in full bloom! Sam wants Callen to consider adopting a dog and it’s fun to watch the two partners banter back and forth with abandon! Just don’t go calling Sam your dog!

• You’re still my favorite brain, Beale. Always love Nell standing up for her partner.

• I’m sure it’s much easier to maintain a shaved head but I’m liking Callen’s new look. I think it makes him look 10 years younger, what do you think?

• Of course Deeks couldn’t get away without teasing Callen on his longer locks, which of course is like the pot calling the kettle black. (Deeks: It’s so fluffy; I just want to touch it!)

• So we find out Deeks had a lisp in high school? Huh. Somehow I can’t imagine that at all.

• Yes, sometimes Granger can surprise you….he cares about Hetty and the team. He just doesn’t always show it.

• Always got to love Deeks in undercover homeless garb….. never fails to bring a smile to my face.

Deeks’ Moments

Eric: Dude, I don’t watch wrestling.

Deeks: What?

Kensi: Do you hate America?

Eric: Granger is up in Ops.

Deeks: Granger probably watches wrestling.

 

Deeks: Don’t be jealous of my golden Viking mane!

 

Densi Moments

Not much going on in the Densi areana. With their relationship on hold, Kensi and Deeks seem to be relaxed with each other despite the tension of the past. I think the barbs and insults were also flowing equally between the two partners in this episode. Deeks taunts Kensi’s regarding her use of makeup and Kensi gets a touché from Deeks on his dating skills. Neither one can leave an golden opportunity open to get a jab into the other. I think it’s in their DNA now:

Deeks: Just for the record you’re a terrible dancer!

 

Deeks: Wow, that’s a pretty nice move. Did you learn that in poll dancing?

Kensi: What did you say?!

 

Kensi: Fifty bucks says he’s got a sex doll dressed up like Princess Leia in his closet.

Deeks: I’m sorry. What? They make those? How do you know that?

 

Deeks: This is my favorite shirt. You’re not putting it on a dead guy.

Kensi: Relax, Princess. I’ll dry clean it.

Deeks: You can’t wash out ghost!

Join us next week for my review of the “Praesidium” which sees the return of Rocky Carroll.  See you then!

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EPISODE INFO
Title: “Inelegant Heart”
Writers: R. Scott Gemmill
Director: John P. Kousakis
Original Air Date: October 6, 2014

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