Review: NCISLA “Cancel Christmas” (S7E11)

I always look forward to this time of the year when we are gifted with the annual holiday Christmas episode. It’s hard to believe it’s already been a year since Densi declared their boldness and quietly announced to the world that they were a couple. They had no idea back then that making the relationship official was going to be the easy part. This year they have to find a way to include close family members in their Christmas plans, and you know how mothers can be when challenged! There’s also the matter of that secret Deeks has been keeping which could cause a disastrous ending to any relationship. Yet somewhere in all their celebration preparations, they have to find time to chase down bad guys like North Korean spies. But for the most part this episode is all about the team surviving another Christmas. Santa Joe Wilson squeezed down the chimney to leave fans this delightful holiday script in our stockings and there were a lot of special moments along the way to enjoy.

Deeks Bashing on Christmas?

Death doesn’t take a holiday even at this time of the year as the team is sent in to break up a spy smuggling ring that has infiltrated the area. Callen feels this is a one man job and he can handle the case on his own but Deeks is happy to trail along rather than have to figure out what to do with his mom on Christmas day. (Callen: Curious as I am to meet someone who shares your DNA Deeks, I’ll pass.) Deeks is in rare form as he leads the team to go find some ’clues and stuff’ despite his colleagues’ exasperation. I know Callen and Sam look at Deeks as the little brother they are glad they never had, but it seems their barbs were a bit over the top this episode especially for a season of goodwill to men. (Sam: You’re starting to sound as Deeks’ knuckleheadedness has rubbed off on you.) I’m not sure if Deeks is an easy punching bag or it’s just a quick way to get in a laugh but I think I’m ready to call a moratorium on the Deeks bashing for good!

All I Want for Christmas is Forgiveness

Is this really happening right in the middle of the investigation? Deeks can’t hold it back any longer and he has to come clean about murdering his ex-partner. Obviously this has been weighing on Deeks since the IA investigation, but is he really going to tell Kensi the truth? Now? Ear wigs out, running silent, Deeks tells his story. But Kensi is a smart girl, she already figured out what happened and was waiting for Deeks to tell her when he was ready. She also understands her man and why he felt justified doing what he did. No moral dilemma for her… she knows what the stakes are like out in the field. OK, I figure if Kensi can forgive Deeks for his actions and his secrecy then so can I. You can tell she truly loves him deeply and despite that dark corner in his soul there is still no one else in this world she would rather be with. (Deeks: Do you have any idea how much I love you right now?) I am a bit surprised but pleased that Deeks decided to tell Kensi sooner than later, although it was a bit anti-climactic. I just wish they had had this conversation alone, after work or anywhere else except in that car. In spite of watery eyes, there was not a whole lot of drama involved. It kind of took away from the serious nature of this momentous conversation. I thought there would be more wailing and gnashing of teeth over the sensitive issue, especially from Kensi. But what has hit me the most is how much Kensi has evolved since she first pledged her love to Deeks. She seems to be so content that nothing can shake her commitment. I don’t know if that’s good or bad, but I hope we are not completely finished with the ramifications of what Deeks did in that hotel room. There’s got to be more to come out of this except a simple request for forgiveness.

Memorable Moments

There wasn’t much of a story to this episode and needless to say, the team finds out who was smuggling in the spies and how to put an end to the activity. Instead, this was really an episode of special moments for the team… Callen realizing he doesn’t have to be a lone wolf at Christmas, Sam opening up his house to the team to share a cozy family dinner, Granger finding holiday cheer despite the past, Nell and Eric enjoying the spirit of giving, and Deeks and Kensi learning how to trust one another no matter what obstacles come into their lives. I’ve tried to cover the most memorable moments here:

• We finally get to enjoy the hoofing talents of Renée and Barrett as they soft shoe their way around the armory. (Nell: I told you we should have locked the door.)
• The last few holidays for Granger have not gone so well. (Hetty: Don’t be an old humbug, Owen.) It seems to have carried over into this year too. But can you blame the man?
• While Sam is challenging Callen for his lack of holiday cheer, my first thought was how do you decorate when you have nothing to decorate around!?? The man still has no furniture in that house! (Sam: Oh yeah, you’re a regular Martha Stewart.)
• My laugh out loud moment: Janvier has been sending Callen Christmas cards every year from jail? Really? He was always a man of many surprises, not to mention a bizarre sense of humor.
• Callen’s on again/off again relationship is in keeping with the Callen MO. (Sam: Nothing says peace on earth, good will to men like a booty call.)
• The bromance is flying as Callen tries to decorate Sam’s car with reindeer antlers for Christmas. After all these years you would have thought Callen would have known better.
• Despite the cute elf boots, Eric can’t get a break even at Christmas! (Sam: Back to your cyber cage, Jingle Bells!)
• Sam is becoming an even bigger Scrooge than Granger this year. (Sam: What are you looking at me for? Deeks said it!)
• Nice to welcome Aidan back for another holiday episode. I guess we’ll see him again next year at this time.
• Leave it to Hetty to find Callen his backup gift for Joelle. She thinks of everything like a good mother hen.
• Even Granger comes through with the holiday spirit in the end. Was that a smile? Whoa! But the man has his secrets too, doesn’t he? Is this what turned him around in the end?
• I love hearing Frank Sinatra at Christmas time and it’s even more poignant as we celebrate the anniversary of the crooner’s 100th birthday this month. Great way to end the show.

Deeks Moments

• Even though Deeks is off the market, he still has the guts to flirt with other women in front of Kensi. Of course, he knows how to redeem himself quickly when caught. (Deeks: Speaking of sexy Mrs. Claus, do you know who else would look good in that outfit?) I think this is the closest we have gotten to some real racy sex talk between the two and it always fun to watch Deeks drool over Kensi as he imagines her in a teddy. Oh, girl!
• Deeks makes a great Santa cop! Did you see the look on the faces of those kids?

Other Densi Moments

• I really enjoyed Kensi and Deeks speaking to their moms at the same time about their holiday dinner plans. The choreography for that scene was well done. We find out a few more tidbits about Mrs. Deeks too… she doesn’t live near her son and she is the queen of her kitchen’s domain. (Deeks: My mom does not play well with others especially in a kitchen where there are sharp objects.)
• Did Deeks just say elope? That stopped my heart for one brief second!
• I’m really beginning to enjoy how Densi’s relationship has progressed during the course of the year. They both seem really comfortable being themselves with each other even if it means showing their weird and eccentric sides. Case in point is Kensi’s perfect Christmas gift… a baby tiger. The look on Deeks’ face was priceless. Two years ago he would have smiled adoringly back at her but now he stares back in disbelief. Kensi doesn’t seem to care and that’s a good thing. She’s secure in his love for her and she loves being goofy around him:
• Kensi: Imagine me busting through this door spitting lead with my tiger as backup… Whaaatt! NCIS, bitches! That was a trick question. I was supposed to say world peace, right?  Deeks: Good talk.

I’m sure I’ve left out some fun moments. Share your list below in the comments. The show is going on hiatus for a few weeks but we will be back with a new episode to open up the New Year. In the meantime, check out Deeks’ Surf Log and Kensi’s Journal and the Edit of the Week for “Cancel Christmas”. We will have a few new features coming up to fill in the break as well. Have a wonderful holiday to all our terrific fans. See you back here next year!

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Episode: “Cancel Christmas”
Writer: Joseph C. Wilson
Director: Paul A. Kaufman
Original Air Date: December 14, 2015

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Diane Volpe is a Contributing Editor at wikiDeeks.com

Follow her on Twitter: @phillydi