Review: NCISLA “Seoul Man” (S7E20)

I’m afraid I still can’t stop thinking about last week’s episode, The Seventh Child. It was raw, it hit home and it hit below the belt. After the violence that we witnessed again last week in Europe, the showrunners couldn’t have picked a more relevant and timely topic. It only goes to show you how good this show can be when all the right creative forces fall into place. That’s why I kind of felt sorry for Joe Sachs this week because any script after Frank Military’s masterpiece would pale in comparison. But Mr. Sachs and Diana Valentine make a capable team with last night’s entertaining episode Seoul Man. Certainly a bit lighter fare this time but maybe after all the darkness last week we needed something reaffirming.

Love Me, Love My Mess

Staging an intervention to fight Kensi’s lack of cleanliness is probably one of the dumbest things Deeks has ever done. (Deeks: She’s like a mess head.) I agree with Sam wholeheartedly in this case. Deeks is just going to have to accept this peculiarity about his ladybird. Actually, I think her lack of cleanliness happens to be one of Kensi’s more endearing qualities. It makes her more human and brings her down to my mere mortal level. But of course I don’t have to live with all her clutter either. Throughout the opening scene the various expressions on Sam’s face were priceless. He knows there are some battles in life you just can’t win but he also knows that Deeks will have to learn these kinds of lessons the hard way.

This week’s story has the team assigned to head a personal security detail to protect the Commander of the Pacific fleet at a meeting of high level naval officials from around the world. It’s not until they are into the assignment that they realize the security detail is just an undercover assignment to flush out a North Korean double agent. As usual, Hetty sixth sense is at work and she knows there is going to be more to this assignment than meets the eye. Although I’m not sure what we were meant to derive from the scene with Granger and the real Director of NCIS at the shooting range. Other than creating a means for Travers to make a cameo appearance on the show it seemed out of place and unnecessary.

Shootout at the LA Corral

Back at Ops, the wonder twins find the imbedded internet picture with information that suggests this may not be an assassination attempt by North Korea but a way to steal defense software for foreign naval missile systems. The implications could be a game changer and our guys have got to get the Intel before it finds its way into the wrong hands. From here the team tracks the mole by way of an elaborate scheme that involves an agency that assists in putting a stop to human trafficking. But we eventually find out that this story of spies and international intrigue is really a story of love and redemption. No longer wanting to be an instrument of destruction, the North Korean spy gives up his life as a double agent for the love of a woman. Ok, a little schmaltzy and I’m not sure if I buy it but it does set us up for the wonderful chase sequence that follows. Our director, Diana Valentine has become known for her wonderfully choreographed action scenes which never disappoint and this one was no exception. Watching Deeks hanging out the car window with his hair flying in the wind was the highlight of the scene for me. Although I found it funny that in the midst of all that loud gunfire, the streets were empty of people. I can’t imagine no one running out of their homes to see what was going on. It was like a ghost town.

It’s About Acceptance

I’ve always enjoyed how the writers find ingenious ways of highlighting Densi’s love affair. You can tell that they are invested in their love story and want to keep it thriving despite their dangerous occupations. This week Deeks may not have totally acknowledged Kensi’s messy ways, but he has learned the meaning of acceptance. (Deeks: It’s better if you read every fourth word, then it becomes like Keats.) Unfortunately, I wanted to totally get onboard with this sweet interlude between the partners but all I kept thinking was how the hell did he find the time to get those medals cleaned and framed? Is there a one hour frame shop in downtown LA somewhere? I’m going to guess Hetty came to the rescue and helped to pull off the surprise.   I really loved the way Deeks lured Kensi out of the room to give her the gift just to show her how much she means to him by apologizing with such an appropriate offering and some amusing poetry. Pure Deeks. Don’t we all wish we had such a wonderful man in our lives? Lucky girl!

Memorable Moments

•No episode is complete without a little Sam and Callen bromance going on, this time in the back seat of a car. Come on! Like those two never heard that line before.

• Callen has a guest futon? You mean he actually bought a piece of furniture? Wow.

•There’s a new sheriff in town. You gotta love Sam. There’s nobody smoother when proving who’s the boss.

•That guest actor has a lot of guts to rap in front of Mr. Rapper himself, LLCoolJ!

•I don’t think we’ve heard the last of Sam’s problems and the safety of his family, do you?

Deeks Moments

•Deeks was quite the action hero this episode! Anytime we get to see Deeks in a suit and in action figure mode is a plus. Nice dive!

•Deeks keeps trying to lecture Kensi on the topic of cleanliness but to no avail: Callen: Have you learned nothing Deeks? Deeks: Evidently not.

Densi Moments

•Callen: You might need a screw driver, Deeks. Sam: You might need couples therapy.

•Only Deeks could write the most creative Roses Are Red poety: Roses are red, violets are blue your desk is a mess but I don’t care because you are worth it and I’ll try not to make fun of it ever again because I love you.

We’re heading into the final episodes but until then we have another break next week before we slide into the homestretch. Be sure to find out if Deeks truly understands what acceptance is all about in his Surf Log and I’m sure Kensi has a few thoughts of her own as you read her Journal later this week. Also, don’t forget we always have our Edit of the Week and both Previews leading up to the next episode, ‘Head of the Snake’. See you back here real soon!

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Episode: “Seoul Man”
Writer: Joe Sachs
Director: Diana Valentine
Original Air Date: March 28, 2016

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Diane Volpe is a Contributing Editor at wikiDeeks.com

Follow her on Twitter: @phillydi