Review: NCISLA “Humbug” (S6E11)

In Charles Dickens’ beloved story, A Christmas Carol, Scrooge dismisses the ghost of Jacob Marley as “Humbug”, just a figment of his imagination! After watching the sneak peak for this episode, I too wondered if I would soon be repeating Scrooge’s famous exclamation after catching a quick glimpse of a possible Densi kiss. Would this romantic encounter be just another false attempt at keeping the fans hanging out on that ‘will they or won’t they’ limb or will our gift from Shane Brennan truly be a mistletoe moment and not a stocking full of coal? Having been let down so many times in the past, I decided not to attach myself to any outcome and just enjoy the holiday episode in the spirit it was intended. Besides, this holiday’s love story doesn’t only apply to Densi any more… Callen and his lovely lady Joelle, may also be having a merry little Christmas this year too as long as Callen doesn’t have to reveal his real identity to her. It’s our annual holiday episode, written by Kyle Harimoto and Andrew Bartels with veteran director Tony Wharmby completing the team.

Saved by the Beale!

It’s Christmas in LA and what could be more festive than a couple of Santas trying to flee from the LAPD while taking hostages as they go? The naughty Santas have broken into a cyber-security company that are experts in malware programs and currently are working with the DoD. The agency needs to know what programs the thieves have taken but before the team can even begin their investigation there’s a problem. The hostage that’s eventually released happens to be Callen’s girlfriend, Joelle. Hetty orders Callen and Sam to stay away from the crime scene in order to maintain their cover. This could get dicey for Callen since Joelle is totally oblivious to the agent’s true identity. But seriously, how much longer could he continue this charade anyway? It’s a tightrope I wouldn’t want to walk.

Densi sets off instead to investigate the crime scene and talk with the star witness. Deeks is worse than a nosy old biddy trying to ply information from Joelle about her relationship with Callen. Of course, he’s only trying to be helpful as he steers her away from the “safe gift” and suggests a leather gym bag instead.

When Callen finds out that Joelle is the hostage in question he is overwhelmingly concerned for her safety. Other than members of his immediate team and family, we haven’t really seen him show this much angst over another person in his life. He’s anxious to interrogate the only man caught after the break-in but unfortunately, he won’t get that chance. Billy Rex was able to escape police custody and is at large again. Callen is convinced this was not just a “smash and grab” operation. The owner of the security company confirms that the malware he used in their research is the worst of the worst. If the thieves have the program it would make the Sony Pictures hack look like child’s play. Eric’s scrub of the server shows that the thieves downloaded enough of the program to be able to crash the nation’s electric power plant grids for weeks. This malware could be worth millions to the right buyer.

Life is a Little Short for that Kind of Hopscotch!

Yes, Kensi. Amen to that! Besides Neric, looks like Densi’s got some holiday plans going on too. Was that Deeks just asking Kensi to go on a snowboarding trip with him and Monty? To her credit, Kensi doesn’t hesitate after realizing that life is too short and complicated as in Callen’s relationship with Joelle. The expression on her face was endearing… happy and embarrassed all at the same time. I think we just witnessed a Densi first! Could this be a real date? Now I’m all happy and embarrassed for them too!

Kensi and Deeks find the other two Santa thieves after identifying the getaway car. Neither one of the criminals have the thumb drive but both finger Rex who stashed the device on Joelle’s person before he released her. Now that he is on the loose again, Callen knows he has to get to Joelle before Rex and his cohorts find out her location. Callen is sweet trying to play the concerned boyfriend, but he’s got two missions playing out at the same time. Finding the drive hidden in his Christmas present was the easy part for Callen, keeping her safe from Rex and not blowing his cover… well that’s a whole other conundrum.

I Think We’re Dancing but I Could Be Wrong

Unfortunately, Joelle doesn’t get to keep her fairytale relationship with Callen intact as they rush to escape Rex and his men. The look on her face as she realizes that Callen just killed a man is one of shock. When she demands his real identity, you have to feel for the woman and our gallant agent as well. This is a game changer but Callen doesn’t have time to explain. After his gun is shot out from his hand, Callen goes after Rex with pure adrenalin. He finally had a good thing going with Joelle and now it’s lost. Humbug? Like Jacob Marley, Callen’s undercover persona was just a figment of her imagination. The sad part is how compliant Callen is in accepting their fate. He knew it was a long shot despite Sam wanting him to be happy. It’s not an easy life and I think he had accepted the cards he was dealt a long time ago. Perhaps as in Dickens’ holiday story, it will all work out in the end for these two. But first, Joelle has a lot she wants to know about Callen, including his first name. (Stand in line, girlfriend!) Will she be able to accept his real life profession eventually? Only time will tell.

I Want to be Bold, Deeks! But I Want to be Bold, with You!

It was the scene were all hoping and praying for. Kensi made her move and Deeks responded in true Prince Charming fashion! Kensi finally realizes what will make her happy. She doesn’t want safe… she wants bold! Densi bold! If the two of them can go through life together with courage and conviction, then and only then will she be able to accept their relationship and love story. No more games. Hallelujah! (Do I hear Handel’s Messiah plays in the background?!!) And what about those two kisses? Amazing doesn’t even come close. We finally have a ‘ship’, ladies and gentlemen! Densi fans received their present early this year. God bless us, everyone!

Memorable Moments

• Callen doesn’t have a clue when it comes to relationships, an unfortunate side effect from his years of being a lone wolf. (Sam: The level at which you don’t understand marriage is astounding!)
• Eric and Nell have plans? Date-like plans? Home for the holiday with Nell like plans? Did I miss something here? When did we go from flirting to dating? Not that I have a problem with this! Finally! Another ‘ship boldly crosses the ocean blue!
• Callen trying to play a normal boyfriend was something we haven’t seen on the show before. Flowers, dinner and a loving girlfriend is a place he hasn’t found himself in a long time. Is that a little bit of fear on his face perhaps? Hmmm….
• Hetty and Sam trying to intimidate Webber was an effective tactic and a funny scene between the three and brilliantly played by the three actors. I think that would freak me out a little bit too!
• I love Nell and Eric rushing to get to the plane… She already sounds like the nagging girlfriend. Mr. NoPants, indeed! I’m glad Hetty found it amusing.
• Even Hetty and Granger were in the holiday spirit… Probably the nicest they have been to each other for a while too! Nice.
• Another sweet scene at the end with the Hanna family which now includes his grown son. Sam is a lucky man.

Deeks Moments

• Deeks interrogating the drunk Santa was hysterical. He was trying hard to be serious but there was so much material to work with here he just couldn’t help himself. Nice work by ECO.

Densi Moments (Other than the big one!)

• Leave it to Kensi to second guess her feelings about going on a vacation with Deeks. (Kensi: This job tends to ruin any chance at a personal life.) Sometimes you just want to slap her silly. Thankfully Deeks calls her on her practicality! And although she agrees, the look on Deeks’ face is one of disappointment. He knows it’s always two steps forward with Kensi and one step back. The man has the patience of a saint!

It was the best holiday episode ever and Densi fans are rejoicing around the world. No humbug here! Thanks to Harimoto and Bartels for the best gift ever too! We know this was for the die-hard fans and we appreciate this gesture. I just love when the episodes revolve around the characters we love. I enjoyed every scene too with each character.  They all made a wonderful contribution to the story as well. I don’t remember the last time I savored an episode so much. We need more of these kinds of storylines and less of the super hero comic book ones. It was an episode we will all remember for a long time to come. Have a wonderful holiday everyone and we will see you next year with all new episodes and hopefully some more/real Densi sightings!  Don’t forget to come back later this week for a new Deeks’ Surf Log and Kensi’s Journal and we will have a holiday fanfic by Sweet Lu and fanart by @thewingsofnight to get us through the season too! See you then!

EPISODE INFO
Title: “Humbug”
Writers: Kyle Harimoto and Andrew Bartels
Director: Tony Wharmby
Original Air Date: December 15, 2014

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