Review: NCISLA “Praesidium” (S6E3)

 

At the end of last week’s episode, it was apparent that our gal Hetty was in a whole heap of trouble after being grilled by government officials about her involvement in the White Ghost fiasco. Now it seems some unknown source wants to see the enigmatic team leader dead as well. The exciting mystery continues this week as her team rushes to save Hetty from harm and identify the forces who are attempting to shut down the LA office for good. R. Scott Gemmill continues his writing duties on the storyline but this time he gets some help from one of the newest writers on the team, Erin Broadhurst. I’m really pleased to see her first script produced for the show and together with director Dennis Smith you have a trio that can’t miss!

I need my beauty sleep!

Did you ever think we would see the show start with Deeks sleeping on Kensi’s derriere? Oh, I’m liking this episode already! I don’t think either one of them is a morning person but that was one of the best scenes ever filmed between the two partners as they are summoned for an early morning meeting at the Mission. But what I want to know is why they wound up falling asleep on that couch together. Sounds like a fan fic is needed to fill in the gaps here!

As the rest of the team stumbles into Ops, they watch as security footage shows Hetty’s home being breached by two armed intruders killing one of her long time security guards. As the team goes off to check on Hetty’s other homes, Callen worries what could have happened to his mentor. A classic Sam and Callen banter session ensues and we find out which of the partners knows Hetty the best. (Callen: Daffodils? It doesn’t even look right coming out of your mouth.)

Back in Washington, the committee is still grilling Hetty about the White Ghost mission. They’re not going to let her off the hook either. The questioning leads to a medical emergency as Hetty gasps for air and collapses. The DoJ is also bearing down on the team in Los Angeles as well and looking for further intel on Hetty and her crew. (Wallace to Eric and Nell: You two keep playing me and you’re going to find yourself working in the IT department at PetCo.) Granger made me laugh out loud as he is being questioned by the DoJ leader. He likes his humor dry and Ferrer does a great job trying to hamper the investigation process. Come on, admit it. He’s starting to grow on you just a little bit, isn’t he?

What terrifies you?

As the team finds out about Hetty’s condition, Callen is itching to get the next plane out of LA but his team convinces him to work the case and find out who is behind the mystery. But leave it to Hetty to have everything under control. Hetty has people not only in high places but in all places as she sneaks out of the hearing in an ambulance. You got to hand it to the little ninja… she’s resourceful. One of the best scenes of the episode is Callen and Sam tracking down more suspects as the DoJ is following them into danger. Not too sure I believe this scenario would ever happen but it was fun to watch Sam fidget trying to get the dragon lady off his back. As Callen is fighting off bad guys by himself, Sam reenacts a scene from the Fast and Furious. (Sam: Shouldn’t you be writing this down?) The action was first class and you had to smile as the scene came to a screeching close. Dennis Smith’s directing was so much fun to watch as Sam zigzags through the streets of LA. Classic!

I know where the bodies are buried!

The DoJ continues to play hardball which doesn’t stop this team as they bully, intimidate and slip away from her grasp. Unfortunately, Deeks and Kensi are not so lucky and not even Deeks’ wisecracks will work on the DoJ goons. (Deeks: Hey, did you finish your book report?) But Kensi’s ordeal in Afghanistan is causing her bottled up emotions to rise to the surface. The interrogation is bringing up memories she has pushed down for way too long. The long awaited scene that Eric Christian Olsen mentioned in his pre-season interviews is also one of his favorite Densi moments of the season and I agree. It is a wonderful private moment between the partners. Deeks giving Kensi advice on how to survive the torture she suffered at the hands of the Taliban was telling. We get to hear how he probably pulled himself out of the trauma he suffered from as well. It was so nice to see them bonding and creating an intimate moment that to me was just as sexy as the kiss from Season 4… but then a little kiss at the end of this scene wouldn’t have hurt either. But I’ll take it. It was a beautiful moment between the two.

What’s the meaning of all this?

Hetty doesn’t get too far from the rabbit hole as she is commandeered and kidnapped by one of her own. I always appreciate when Director Vance makes an appearance on the show. I think it’s important to have that link with headquarters and it reminds us why the LA division exists. I know this is Granger’s job but Vance’s presence more effectively connects us to the mother ship. With the show trying to find a home on its new date and time his presence is more important than ever. The scene in the museum with Hetty was intense and I would love to see him interacting more with Hetty and the rest of the team in the future. This time he informs her there is a leak within her operation and even the diminutive giant is caught off guard. The hearing was just a means to get her away from whoever is really trying to kill her back in LA. Even Hetty is surprised… and relieved until she realizes her team is in danger.

Nell masquerading as Hetty was a fun touch until she finds herself in the middle of the siege to take down Hetty. (Anybody catch David Olsen as one of the bad guys?) Nell enlists Hetty’s assistance and finds out her boss still has some tricks left up her sleeve as she reveals an escape plan for Nell and the boys to use. Once they round up what’s left of the men trying to assassinate Hetty, the intel shows an old foe may be behind all the calamity. Mattias Draeger is back and Callen has no intention of taking any prisoners.

More great action, terrific banter and a kickass storyline. When the show revolves around the main characters, this is the show we have come to know and love so well. The Hetty arc just keeps getting better and better. Nice job to the writers, directors and crew… I can’t wait for next week as we continue the storyline and hopefully find out who wants Hetty dead. But what about the White Ghost mission? Will this be swept under the rug or will we ever find out the reason why Hetty sent Kensi on that mission? I guess we will have to be patient and wait for this story to play itself out.

Memorable Moments

• I liked how we watched as the team was called into Ops. Nice to see them away from their work environment… including Granger. Didn’t see that one coming! Ha!
• Callen made me laugh when he tells Deeks that Hetty has a resting heart rate at 50 when being shot at. Yes, she is an enigma within an enigma.
• The quiet talk between Granger and Nell was revealing. We get to see a different side of the Assistant Director as well. Seems he has a soft spot for the plucky agent.
• The Sam/G banter was first class this episode. Those two really crack me up. (Callen: I think you’re watching too much of the Actor’s Studio.)
• And talk about the Actor’s Studio…. Oh Beale…I think you should be up for an Oscar after that performance.

Deeks Moments

I think Deeks’ teammates are getting to know the amusing (suggestive??) side of the Detective’s nature all too well. This classic Deeks moment is brought to you by the comedy team of Callen and Hanna:

Callen: I usually like a woman that wants to put me in handcuffs. Not that one.

Sam: No, no, no. Hold on. Did you hear what you just said?

Callen: What?

Sam: That sounds like something Deeks would say.

Callen: Oh, god, you’re right. You think I held my breath underwater too long?

 

Densi Moments

Deeks: Stop kicking me.

Kensi: We’re being called into Ops

Deeks: What? What time is it?

Kensi: Just after six.

Deeks: In the morning? Yeah, no. I need my beauty sleep.

Kensi: More like a beauty coma.

Deeks: You’re obviously not a morning person.

Kensi: It’s not morning yet. Get up.

Deeks: I kind of wish you had a snooze button.

 

Deeks seems to be testing the water with Kensi when he shyly asks if she would like to become his roommate. Although he uses humor to deflect Kensi’s immediate refusal, could Deeks’ previous resolve to take a step back in the relationship be dissolving?

Kensi: I would live with Monty before I would live with you.

Deeks: Yeah… That goes without saying because Monty is a catch. I’m saying that we come as a package deal.

Kensi: Oh, so I get a dog and a mutt? No thank you.

Deeks: Ok, touché. Alright. That’s fine. It’s probably better this way. I probably couldn’t put up with your hoarding anyway.

Kensi: For the thousandth time, I’m not a hoarder.

Deeks: Oh, you’re a dirty little hoarder. You’re hoard city!

 

Here’s a beautiful moment between friends, lovers and partners:

Deeks: The harder you try, the harder it’s just going to fight back. Trust me. You just got to let it out. You have to make peace with it. And that takes time.

Kensi: I’m so much tougher than this.

Deeks: I know you are. You’re tougher than me and that’s tough.

 

Yes, the story continues and this tale is turning out to be one of the best arcs the show has ever produced. Turn in next week for my review of the next installment, the “The 3^rd Choir”… only on wikiDeeks!

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EPISODE INFO
Title: “Praesidium”
Writers: Erin Broadhurst and R. Scott Gemmill
Director: Dennis Smith
Original Air Date: October 13, 2014

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