NCISLA Classified Preview: “Active Measures” (S7E1)

Title: “Active Measures”

Airing: September 22, 2015 – the first night of the new TV season.

Filming: July 24 to August 3rd

What CBS is telling us: “When Callen goes rogue and embarks on a secret mission that leaves Sam and the team in the dark, Hetty demands that his operation be shut down and tasks the team with finding him, on the seventh season premiere of NCIS: LOS ANGELES.”

What we think is happening: Callen’s most recent walk-about includes a dead guy, Hetty with a Taser and the team worried

The term “active measures” refers to a Russian spy technique where a political opponent is the target of a propaganda and disinformation campaign to cause instability and dissent. This approach works against governments, institutions and individuals. Season 6 ended with the Russians and Season 7 is starting with them.

Be on the lookout:

Erik Palladino as CIA Officer Vostanik Sabatino
Oh look, our good friend Vostanik is back. He was last seen in “Spoils of War” with a gunshot wound to the leg. Since he and Deeks are in the same general area in this episode and both seemingly healthy, perhaps an explanation about what happened with the Sidorov Task Force in DC is in order. Probably not but a girl can dream.

Ravil Isyanov as Anatoli Kirkin

Was in “Wanted” (as was Sabatino) as the Russian mobster with an eye for Deeks.

D.A. Matzke as Old Dude One credit – “Teen Wolf Too”.

Jeff De Serrano as LAPD Officer

Played the same role in “Wanted” – he was the cop on duty in the jail Sam smacked around before escaping.

Meg Braden as Surfer Chick

Limited credits but found a photo of her on Instagram as Surfer Chick:

Masterminds:

WRITTEN BY: R. Scott Gemmill
Wrote or co-wrote “The Only Easy Day”, “Brimstone”, “Breach”, “LD50”, “Found”, “Borderline”, “Absolution”, “Archangel”, “Tin Soldiers”, “Impostors”, “Cyberthreat”, “Honor”, “The Watchers” and both sides of the NCIS Los: Angeles/Hawaii Five-0 “Touch of Death” episodes, “Recruit”, “Free Ride”, “Wanted”, “Ravens and The Swans”, “Impact”, “War Cries”, both ends of the “Deep Trouble” Season 5 finale/Season 6 premiere, “Inelegant Heart”, “Praesidium” (always tough to spell) and “Traitor”. Sabatino, Kirkin and this LAPD Officer from “Wanted” are all in the Season 7 premiere. R. Scott Gemmill – are we getting the band back together?

DIRECTED BY: John P. Kousakis
Directed “Imposters”, “Sacrifice”, “Sans Voir” part one, “The Fifth Man”, “Parley”, “Inelegant Heart”, “Chernoff, K.” and all of the Afghanistan scenes from “Iron Curtain Rising” to “Zero Days”.

Insider Intel: There was the visit to the Paley Center in Los Angeles.

https://screen.yahoo.com/paley/paleyfest-fall-tv-preview-ncis-160000894.html

Official Photographic Evidence:

http://www.seat42f.com/ncis-los-angeles-season-7-episode-1-photos-active-measures.html

Unofficial Surveillance: The summer had barely begun before the season premiere was being mentioned on Twitter:

Since it was everyone’s first week back, there were photos aplenty:

Nattily dressed John Peter Kousakis directs two of his stars:

The first day of filming from Eric Christian Olsen, Daniela Ruah and Jacqueline Nivens:

Kousakis and Linda Hunt with Hetty’s Jaguar:

Kousakis with Miguel Ferrer:

Fun on the set:

True Granger Danger:

JPK and the Wonder Twins:

Video Surveillance:

Preview:

There was a second promo that ran during football Thursday which proclaimed that Season 7 premiere was the program’s “Biggest Premiere Ever!” and featured a little more of Kensi and Deeks in their tactical gear.

Sneak Peek #1:
https://youtu.be/Qwk41U2TvS0
Short and to the point.

Sneak Peek #2:
https://youtu.be/FUjeDLseyFY
That is going to leave a mark. The police officer who tells Sam and Granger that Callen escaped on foot was the officer in “Wanted” (and maybe should have recognized Sam).

Sneak Peek #3:
https://youtu.be/i1EEfqopkRE
Based on this scene, the Sam shooting at Callen in the promo looks more like a Lauren Hunter in “Lange, H.” move – shooting to protect Callen, not hurt him.

And we’re off. Very much looking forward to Season 7!

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Tess DiCorsi is a wikiDeeks contributor. You can read more by Tess HERE.