NCISLA Case Briefing: “Exchange Rate” (S7E18)

NCISLA Case Briefing: Exchange Rate (S7E18)

“Exchange Rate” – When a convicted Cuban spy escapes U.S. custody just before he is set to return to his country in a prisoner exchange, the team is shocked to learn that Anna (Bar Paly) helped him break out. Also, Deeks admits to Kensi that he thinks she is too messy, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Monday, March 14 (9:59-11:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Written by: Jordana Lewis Jaffe | Directed by: Tawnia McKiernan

In an act of some form of diplomacy, a prisoner swap between the US and Cuba is on the schedule. What’s that saying about “best laid plans”? Ah yes, they “often go awry”.  Yeah, this team doesn’t have a lot of luck with that. Oh, did someone say luck? It seems that “Luck of the Irish” for St. Patty’s Day doesn’t make an early appearance for our gang this week. So instead of celebrating with some Cuban cigars, perhaps the team (most likely Kensi) can drown their sorrows in pie. After all, Monday is “Pi Day”! Hetty better be on the lookout for food in Ops – again!

Food, yes. In Ops? Unknown. However, the team finds themselves in some form of swanky restaurant for an undercover op. Yep, fine china, luxurious chairs, Callen in a suit, and Anna. Wait, what? They accomplished their mission in Russia and got home safely. So what’s Anna doing there? Ah, yes – she aided the escape of the Cuban prisoner! Again, wait what?! Are we sure we can trust her? What might be her reasons for this questionable action? Is it a separate covert mission? An error in justice? Personal nefarious plans? As the great Cuban-born actor Desi Arnez was famous for declaring: “Lucy” has some ‘splainin’ to do!

More explaining, in an expected fun form, is sure to be on the horizon from our favorite provocateur, Mr. Arkady Kolcheck! How did he make his way into Hetty’s prize Shelby Cobra? Never anyone’s chauffeur, if we know Hetty at all she’s probably applying the old adage, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” Yet, which is Arkady? Friend or enemy we can easily project an uncomfortable Arkady. Recall his discomfort simply being in interrogation with the Operations Manager? Now he’s confined to a miniscule compartment of a sports car! Does Arkady long-for or fear a hidden eject button somewhere within Ms. Lange’s reach?!

Deeks’ Week: Looks as if his day starts off wet and cold! Too bad we’re not talking about Monty’s nose! Poor Deeks! But honestly, can you even blame Kensi? That’s our girl! So is Kensi’s frivolity for personal amusement or retribution? Might this be connected to Deeks’ remarks about her messiness? Was the “cold water flush” before or after his comment?

But hold up. Before we delve too far into speculation about the timing, how and why does a known characteristic of the female fed merit mention in the press release? It’s certainly not news, unless…. Now that they are living together, has the situation expanded from a simple topic of mocking to a consistent disruption in the realm of Deeks? Has it become a problem that he needs to have addressed? Was there a significant event that served as the detective’s “final straw that broke the camel’s back”, forcing him to address the issue directly with his ladybird? Imagine the possibilities! For example, perhaps Deeks goes to scrape the sex wax from his board only to determine it is instead dried ice cream?! Maybe the pantry is disorganized to the point his morning cereal is mistaken for Monty’s kibble? We’ll see soon enough!

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