Review: NCISLA “SEAL Hunter” (S6E6)

This week’s episode has a storyline that I always enjoy watching! It’s all for one and one for all this week! When this team fights for their own you won’t find a better drama on TV today. This time Sam is in the hot seat and he is accused of murder. Callen and his team must work desperately to prove his innocence and clear his partner’s name but the odds are against him. We have another Frank Military script this time along with co-writer Sara Servi (“Impact”) who teams up with Chris O’Donnell doing double duty behind the camera. Chris did a great job on the last episode he directed and because he knows these characters so well, who better to tell their story with the emotional respect they deserve?

Blubbers in the Canoe?

It’s a beautiful day in LA and the banter is flying between Callen and Sam but not for long. The feds are after Sam and it seems even Hetty can’t prevent them from taking him into custody. Callen finds himself restricted from field duty by Granger who orders him off the case. But you know that’s not going to stop the G man! As the team tries to figure out the connection between Sam and the murdered woman, Callen finds himself more than a little on edge. I haven’t seen him this irritated with Deeks since the Detective returned to the team after dealing with his PTSD. Callen has very little patience for anyone playing devil’s advocate, and Deeks has a hard time trying to get his point across.

Is it me or is Kensi enjoying Deeks’ eccentricities a bit more? (Kensi: Keep that thing away from me, ghostbuster!). She’s almost mellow these days and even liking the attention. I think if Deeks had goosed her with a vacuum attachment about three years ago she would have had him in a head sling! There’s definitely a different vibe about the couple these days, both appreciating each other’s company and enjoying the partnership more as they settle into some sort of relationship.

Hacking is Like Sex

While Densi is becoming more comfortable with each other, Eric seems to be having a lot more fun these days with his computer. But his hacking does come in handy as he finds a DoD report that shows Sam’s DNA was found beneath the murdered woman’s body. Callen is suspicious it could be a set-up but the evidence is still against Sam.

Go for Shapiro!

The deli scene with Kensi and Deeks was one of the more amusing banter sessions between Densi that we’ve had in a long while. It even extended to the wait staff (Kensi: Come on you can’t forget a guy who lives with a cat on his head?) Eventually they are able to find out more about the murder victim and a possible suspect who was last seen with her. Ray Turner is an ex-Navy Seal who’s on a mission to track down people posing as Navy Seals and expose them to the public. Could he be the one after Sam?

Callen is incensed that Sam’s arraignment has been postponed as the DoJ lawyer and his sleazy FBI girlfriend build their case against Sam. These two were a bit over the top as they did their best Snidely Whiplash imitations but they did bring out the fun side of Callen’s investigative skills as he teases and torments them into giving him more information. With a little help from Granger, Callen is able to guarantee their cooperation in the case. I told you they were sleazy!

Does that Toupee act as a Flotation Device?

Densi’s frivolity continues as they investigate Turner’s home and find a stash of guns. Ray becomes a person of interest but not before he has a hair showdown with Deeks. He is definitely jealous of the ‘styled by pillow’ look and there are a lot of humorous hair jokes at Turner’s expense. Despite his bravado, Turner finally gives up stonewalling the partners when he finds out about the murder. After Sam’s release he has a Seal to Seal talk with Turner, and enlists his help to find the real killer.

Turner has a good idea who the culprit may be because he was working with the murder victim to expose her boss as a Navy Seal wannabe.  Long time con man Jeremy North would stand to lose his multimillion dollar business if he was exposed as a fraud and this makes his bookkeeper a liability.  Sam is stunned to find out he also knows North from his time in the military.  North was in the Marines and strangely enough, he also happens to be a dead ringer for Sam.  By now there’s no secret who the killer is.

Kissing Cousins?

This was an exceptional episode for Densi banter and it didn’t stop as the couple went undercover at North’s martial arts studio.  We may have another clue from Deeks that the two are more than just ‘cousins.’  Perhaps kissing cousins from Kentucky? I enjoyed watching Kensi’s amusement as Deeks squirmed uncomfortably around the aggressive female instructor (Heidi).  She enjoyed throwing her partner to the wolves as Deeks goes unwillingly into the cougar’s den. (Deeks: This is happening!)  But you can’t always judge a book by its cover.  Heidi recognized the Detective from her days as a working girl and it’s no surprise that our Mr. Deeks tried to make a difference in her life by giving her money and encouragement. She agrees to return the favor by helping them bring North to justice.  It’s just one of the reasons why we love Marty Deeks.

Back at North’s office Callen and Sam expose more than just a fake business but an even bigger operation… an identity theft factory. North knows how to plan ahead and had stolen Sam’s ID and cap a long time ago, hoping to use it in the future. As his life of crime progressed, he finally found a way. But this is why we also love Sam Hanna as well, who would risk his life and throw himself in front of a bullet to catch a killer and prevent another death. The scene in the theatre was intense and well-choreographed. The wannabe Navy Seal crumbles in front of the real deal and becomes a sniveling, two-bit amateur criminal.  The eight Musketeers get their man and rescue their own. All in all, a good day, I’d say.

Memorable Moments

• Hacking is like sex? Oh, Mr. Beale, Hetty will need to have a nice, long talk with you… I think it’s been way too long.
• Callen waiting tables? I could get use to that….as long as he was taking my order!
• You have to like Ray Turner especially the way Sam plays along with him. He may be a blowhard but Sam finds a way to identify with him and restore his honor. I think he could become a great recurring character, don’t you?
• I enjoyed the last scene as Deeks is finally able to crack open his exotic fruit (that sounds kind of dirty). The looks of horror on his teammates’ faces are priceless once they take a sniff. I think Granger took Callen up on the drink just to get out of the Mission.

Deeks Moments

• Deeks cracks me up when he tries to get his ‘Jewish’ on. This Nordic-Viking knows a little about everything, doesn’t he? (Deeks: Edna! Bubbe?) The man has a shtick and he’s sticking with it!
• Deeks was so cute as he became embarrassed and tongue tied by the instructor’s advances and Kensi finds it oh so amusing (Kensi: And you are a chew toy.)
• We have a new Kensi nickname! Bubeleh!

Densi Moments

Deeks: This is a stimulant, a mood enhancer and an aphrodisiac…whaaaat….all rolled into one….and then I put it into my morning smoothie…what’s up?

Kensi: I think you’re going to need a bigger knife.

 

Only Densi can get into an argument over a sandwich:

Deeks: I can’t talk to you, I don’t even know who you are anymore!

Kensi: Ah…it’s only a sandwich and I can have it however I want.

Deeks: No, it’s a religious experience. People think that being Jewish is all about the Torah… they’re wrong. It’s about the pastrami.

Kensi: So you’re an expert on Judaism now?

Deeks: I’ve had some intimate Jewish relationships, I’ve learned some things.

Kensi: Six thousand years of religion and you’ve learned what?

Deeks: No mayo. Mustard…rye…good pickle.

 

Deeks: You’re looking at my butt aren’t you? Damn, right. You’re looking at my butt.

Kensi: Actually I was spotting you in case you fell, but for that, now I’m not.

Deeks: She’s looking at my butt. I don’t blame her…it’s a good butt. (Let me hear an Amen!)

 

I have a feeling Sara Servi was the mastermind behind all the wonderful Densi repartee this episode.   If so, she is becoming one of my favorite Densi writers. Nice work. Chris O’Donnell also did a commendable job at his second time in the director’s chair and it was good see an episode where the team gets to fight for one of their own. It’s always a crowd pleaser. This week Deeks’ Surf Log and Kensi’s Journal are all new and we have another edition of Writing Deeks! Come back next week for next week’s episode, “Leipei”. See you then!

 

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EPISODE INFO
Title: “SEAL Hunter”
Writers: Sara Servi and Frank Military
Director: Chris O’Donnell
Original Air Date: November 3, 2014

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