Review: NCISLA “Talion” (S7E24)

I say this every year but I can’t believe how fast this season just flew by. Twenty-four episodes over in a flash! Since everyone was talking about falling shoes last week, we get to see if any of their premonitions or predictions will come to fruition in this final episode written and directed by showrunners R. Scott Gemmill and John P. Kousakis, respectively. This duo brings out the best in the cast and crew and I always look forward to their efforts even though I thought this episode might bring about some unwanted changes to the team and the show in general… but it didn’t. Good final episode of the season but nothing as intense as some of the cliffhangers in the past. More on that later.

Khaled returns. You knew it was just a matter of time before the villain comes back to seek revenge on Sam Hanna in retaliation for everything that happened with his sister. And it’s no coincidence that the suspected terrorist has targeted the military academy that is attended by Sam’s son, Aiden. This is personal.

All hostage situations are explosive and dangerous and the NCIS team only has one thing going for them and that’s the element of surprise. Aiden is able to get a distress text off to this father and the agents go in under the radar to head off Khaled’s gang. Sam Hanna is being papa bear extreme, not even wanting his wife to know about the attack.  I have to wonder if this is a chink in the Hanna’s marriage. Does he not trust his wife or just afraid of what she would do and wants to keep her safe as well? Even Callen knows this mission is going to be hard enough without having to worry about his partner’s parental instincts taking over.

In a well-directed series of events, the team attempts to invade the academy. We haven’t seen an episode this nerve wracking since “Spoils of War”. With Aidan on the run and students and teachers in peril, the team has to use everything at their disposal to infiltrate the building and release the hostages. The Four Musketeers do what they do best and kick some ass as they methodically go through the building looking for Khaled and Aiden (Deeks:  That’s my girl.) In the end, Khaled is no match for the NCIS team which was kind of disappointing since we have been in need of a substantial villain to stir things up on the show for a long time. But this really was a personal vendetta between two men and in the end there could be only one victor.

As I mentioned I was expecting a more life challenging event for one or more of the team members but it looks like we get to go into the hiatus on a relatively quiet and contented note. Since they didn’t know when this episode began to film that there was even going to be an eighth season, a cliffhanger was out of the question. They didn’t want to leave anything hanging in case there was no resolution in future episodes. So what we get is a good story but a not so exciting finale or cliffhanger. But in the end I’m content with what we got. The alternative would have been the show’s end. Now we have another year to explore Densi’s relationship, find out more about Callen’s dad and if Neric will get serious. There’s a lot to look forward to! Not to mention “Deeks, M”! Onward  to Season 8…

Memorable Moments

• I love the way the team comes together when a family member is threatened. No questions asked… it’s one for all and all for one.
• I know this attack has serious repercussion but do these guys even know who they are up against!?  Even Hetty is in the armory getting ready. (Hetty: Oh, I’m everywhere these days, Mr. Callen.)
• Drinking in Ops? You know this is serious!
• Hetty comes up with the line of the night as she tries to hold off SecNav. (Hetty: If it all goes bad, I’ll fake a stroke.)
• Deeks adds his own lightness to a dark situation when he wonders if he should have attended a military academy. Even in such extremes the team still has time to dump on Deeks. (Deeks: Wow, you boys obviously didn’t get the memo from Hetty on bullying.)
• Brave and stupid is spreading… Cadet Hanna is definitely his father’s son as he tries to take Khaled on his own.
• It comes down to two as Sam and Khaled go at it one-on-one. (Hetty: What’s that I’m hearing? Granger: I think that’s personal.) I really enjoyed that they let the two men fight this out mano a mano. Khaled really doesn’t know Sam Hanna very well, does he? Never underestimate what a man will do when his family is threatened. (Aiden: The Hanna boys kicking ass and takin’ names.)
• So that’s what all that bromance is about? Sarcasm? It may be the lowest form of wit according to Oscar Wilde but only Callen and Sam have it down to a science and nobody does it better.
• While we’re at it, nobody does cute better than Densi either. A final nod to what has been a glorious season for the two lovers, Kensi can’t help but trick Deeks into leaning close for a kiss. Great way to put a cap on a very romantic season for Densi. (Deeks: Oh wow, I appreciate your stealthy operational skills, Agent Blye.) Although I think I could have done without the whole bat in the cave discussion.
• Can’t you just see Granger pouring that expensive whiskey on top of his Fruit Loops? I’ll take a pass too, Nell.

The gang here at wikiDeeks is going to take a summer hiatus but will be back for Season 8 and a lot more action and adventure with the NCIS:LA team. We have one more Deeks’ Surf Log and Kensi’ Journal for you to enjoy along with our final Edit of the Week. I want to thank our team of devoted and talented writers and graphic designers and editors who came through week after week to cover our favorite show for the readers of wikiDeeks. It was a labor of love and I couldn’t have asked to work with a better group of people!  You guys are the best! Have a great summer all!

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Episode: “Talion”
Writer: R. Scott Gemmill
Director: John P. Kousakis
Original Air Date: May 2, 2016

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