NCISLA Case Briefing: “Cancel Christmas” (S7E11)

NCISLA Case Briefing: Cancel Christmas (S7E11)

“Cancel Christmas” – When a suspected North Korean spy is poisoned and hit by a truck carrying Christmas trees, the team must search for who is responsible for smuggling spies into the country. Also, Deeks and Kensi try to find a way to include their mothers in their Christmas plans, and Hetty notices that Granger isn’t feeling the holiday cheer, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Monday, Dec. 14 (9:59-11:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Written by: Joseph C. Wilson | Directed by: Paul A. Kaufman

Will the holidays ever simply gift the team with “comfort and joy”? In being federal agents working for the Office of “Special Projects”, the answer is almost always no. So with that, what might the spirit of the season have crafted for our weary gang this week?

Apparently one answer is of the “Bah Humbug” nature. What’s the issue with Granger the Grinch? How can Hetty surmise a downtrodden assistant director compared to his customary curmudgeonly characteristics? Is this a personal matter or something related to one of the many ongoing cases? Could some new, troubling occurrence be the source of his sourness?

And let’s not overlook the fact there is an actual case this week. A foreign spy, poison, a vehicular wreck, smuggling, and… holiday decor?! I’m sure none of these were on the team’s wishlist to Santa! Who is smuggling in spies? Why would he be murdered? Could he have been a double agent? What was the spy’s task? As always, there’s much intrigue surrounding the week’s case, but not as much as with our team’s ever-entertaining holiday hijinx.

On that note, it appears Callen has decided to gift some Christmas mischief to his dear partner. Does the man have a near death-wish in “Rudolph-ing” the Challenger?! LOL! Perhaps the red “nose” will help them see better flying about in those dark, stormy snow-filled skies. (Oops. Wrong show!) How do you think Sam will react? Perhaps with an expected eye-roll and disingenuous smirk of annoyance? Might he fill Callen’s Christmas stocking with a firm dose of retaliation?

It’s doubtful Sam will keep a target centered on Callen, when his presumed favorite Christmas present arrives in the form of his son, Aiden. After all, everyone deserves some well-earned holiday cheer – well, except for the team busting in as holiday party crashers! Evidently Callen’s past proclamation that even criminals take Christmas off doesn’t ring true this year.

Speaking of Callen’s Christmas stocking, where might it hang this year based on the recent reference to being ousted/ousting himself from his own home?! Is Callen on more than one Naughty list? Are Joelle and the Season of Noel at odds? How sad would it be for Callen’s Christmas stocking to find its new cozy home near the flames of the Burn Room?!

Is the Ops duo about to march into battle? Is there a new uniform requirement for the Tech Team? It appears Nell has (yet again) commandeered Eric into an amusing yuletide costume. A promo photo leads us to believe the duo is deftly conducting an annual holiday gift-giving scheme. Yet is Mr. Beale’s attire in long pants (Uh oh.) a punishment for his “naughtiness”? (At least he seems to have avoided tights this time.) Or is he rewarded for his regular “niceness” with his comfy shorts and festive footwear? This year-end conundrum must be addressed: Which came first? Toy soldier or oversized elf? Regardless, it’s easy to predict the spritely Miss Jones is likely toying (much to her own self-entertainment) with her professional partner. Nell is the very embodiment of “elfin’ amazing”!

Speaking of that throwback to “Free Ride” (4×10), might the Mission’s seasonal decor yet again include the notable mistletoe? It wouldn’t be the holidays without it, right? Who might be the beneficiary (or victim) of it this year?

Deeks’ Week: Santa Deeks. Need we say more? This likely makes every Deeks fan’s Top 5 or 10 List for Most Wanted Cover! On a more serious note our detective has just escaped (for now) a murder charge, which will make a grateful holiday for all – even if the Ghost of Christmas Past lingers. Since NCIS:LA Christmas episodes are traditionally quite light-hearted, it’s doubtful the dark issues brought to light in “Internal Affairs” will be mentioned. That fact in and of itself is likely a relief to the majority of the team and fandom.

Yet, the holidays are prone to include at least minimal elements of stress. It sounds as if this year’s offering could be in the form of a “Meeting of the Moms”. (Too bad the Guest Cast listing for this episode doesn’t include the wonderful women who bring Roberta Deeks & Julia Blye Feldman to life! Imagine the possibilities of that introduction!) Let’s hope their motherly inclusion only strengthens the Densi ‘ship! With that, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night (of NCIS:LA)”!

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Gayle H. is a contributor at wikiDeeks.com. Follow her on Twitter: @DensiLand