NCISLA Case Briefing: “Where There’s Smoke. . .” (S7E23)

NCISLA Case Briefing: Where There’s Smoke… (S7E23)

“Where There’s Smoke… ” – Sam and Callen go undercover as firefighters when top secret information about suspected terrorists is stolen from a secure Department of Defense container at the site of a fire, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Monday, April 25 (9:59-11:00, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Written by: Andrew Bartels | Directed by: James Hanlon

The press release alone evokes thoughts of the popular Mark Ronson/Bruno Mars tune, “Uptown Funk”:

I’m too hot (hot damn)

 

Call the police and the fireman

Hot (via a fire). Check.

Fireman. Check.

Police (a la Detective Deeks). Check.

Don’t believe me, just watch.

Got it. Done. On it!

The team’s bromance quite literally catches fire as the guys go undercover presumably to most easily and quickly gain access to the crime scene? What would prompt someone to use fire to steal information? It’s certainly not a stealth strategy. Was it the most rudimentary effort, indicating no real professional finesse? Or was it a ploy to destroy evidence and clues leading back to the culprit?

Could one of the firefighters be a prime suspect? This occupation would certainly allow for keen planning in setting and burning a fire. Their knowledge would likely aid in selecting an ignition source difficult to detect or track, delaying or even diverting the team’s efforts.

So why might someone seek to thieve information about a terrorist? To lure and capture? To join or promote further culpable acts? To use as leverage for their own criminal bidding?

You might want to prepare a nice cold beverage and crank the A/C, because this episode is heating up!

Deeks’ Week: The undercover expert is under the weather? Poor Deeks. Or perhaps Poor Kensi. What’s this? The normally laid-back surfer has a penchant toward hypochondria? Who knew?! Yet, all of that seems to be a mere symptomatic cover, which Kensi quickly works to reveal the true ailment: typically silent anxiety and fear of a troubled future. It’s a strong reminder of the past as well as foreshadowing to the finale.

It forces our recall of Deeks’ tough childhood and family life, a less than collegial environment at LAPD, problematic situations undercover, getting shot, torturous time with Siderov, having Kensi deployed on the other side of the globe, and likely so much more we’ve not (yet?) been privy to. For someone so regularly forced to face such significant struggles, of course he smartly steels himself for the inevitable.

What exactly might that be? Enter finale cliffhanger here. Thus, let the speculation begin!

 

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