NCISLA Case Briefing: “Revenge Deferred” (S7E17)

NCISLA Case Briefing: Revenge Deferred (S7E17)

“Revenge Deferred” – After extensive surveillance footage of Sam’s family is found in Africa, Sam and Callen fly there to determine who is responsible and for what purpose. Also, Sam’s family is moved from their home to a safe house. Ella Thomas returns as Jada Khaled on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Monday, Feb. 29 (9:59-11:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Written by: Frank Military and Chad Mazero | Directed by: Rick Tunell

Someone call the State Department. It seems Callen and Sam might need more passport pages ASAP! Having barely touched down in returning from Russia, they’re headed back abroad. While cases are rarely light-hearted, when you see the name “Frank Military” with the writing credit, you know things are going to get real dark, real quick. This time he brings a protege along for the ride in Chad Mazero, who previously partnered with Mr. Gemmill for “Internal Affairs”. (Someone really lucked-out in the mentor department!) Fans also welcome seasoned professional and long-time NCISLA production manager Rick Tunell to the director’s chair! (In the excitement of Monday’s episode, let’s hope he doesn’t forget to post the March production calendar so many of us eagerly await each month!)

They say you’re supposed to leave your personal life at home and out of the office, right? Right. Like that’s ever truly possible. Personal connections keep finding their way into the Mission as if has a flashing neon sign and revolving door. We’ve been granted insights into Granger’s suggested Asia assignment, concern about Deeks’ mom, and of course the on-going search for Callen’s past. This week the attention turns to Sam – with likely his worst nightmare coming to life.

Arriving at their assigned location Sam is ushered away, leaving Callen “in the dark”. Has the team leader ever been denied access to mission-critical information (other than from Hetty, of course)? This put us on high-alert right along with the guys.

The topic of the OSP mole is once again front and center. That malicious mole! Finally, viewers are given a dastardly devil to abhor, even without knowing the who, how, or why! So much information has been leaked, you’d think someone might investigate the “pipes” by now. (What is that fountain for anyway?) It’s time for one or more members of the team to track this person (or people) and bring this game of “Whack-A-Mole” to its deserved conclusion! (Anyone else thinking this may make for a notable season finale/cliffhanger?)

Before getting back to our globetrotting agents, what are your thoughts about key information being kept from even Hetty? Is this an effort to decrease the likelihood of further leaks or a ploy to suss out the mole? Regardless of appearances, it still feels like a possible scheme to cover Granger & “Ms. Lange” strategically conspiring….

Speaking of conspiring, the guest cast is stockpiled this week, which I will again defer the details to Tess’ forthcoming “Classified Preview”. Our thoughts will surely be swirling in contemplating the impact of Alex Elmslie, Jada Khaled and her wicked brother, and Sam’s son, Aiden! (Too bad we won’t get Michelle; she’s likely tied-up shooting “Quantico”. Still hoping for at least a brief cameo prior to the season’s end!)

Will Jada be of help or danger to the guys? Is she still angered about having been deceived by Sam about who he was and her virtually being kidnapped to America? Has she partnered with her brother to enact revenge? Could someone else be trying to carry-out a vengeful deed toward Jada’s evil sibling (besides presumably Sam)? Will the next generation of young Hannas be literally caught in the crosshairs, or are they chips off the ole Hanna block? They have federal agent blood in their veins, right?!

Agent Hanna is physically forced to come face-to-face with a pile of evidence indicating each member of his family as a target. Sam, regularly characterized as a cuddly “mama bear” beneath an impenetrable shield, has already demonstrated absolute intolerance toward anyone or anything threatening his family. Recall how concerned he was in simply knowing military academy students were connected to a past case? It was clear he was sadly considering his own son in such a situation.

Yet that pales in comparison to the feats he has gone to for his wife Michelle. Remember when he hurled Sabatino to the ground for simply hugging Mrs. Hanna? (“Oh hell no!”) Then in that same episode, the epic “Wanted” (4×17), Sam breaks himself out of jail to get to Michelle! However, nothing can even remotely compare to the SEAL enduring a near-drowning and repeated electrocution for her. And that was just to maintain her cover! Can we even imagine how Sam is going to emotionally and physically react to each member of his family being in danger a continent away? Good luck with your partner, Callen.

Deeks’ Week: Who knows?! Other than seeing Densi deployed from Ops, there’s no photo, video, or narrative indication as to what the shaggy surfer might find himself in the midst of this week!

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