Review: NCISLA “Lost Soldier Down” (S13E07)

Happy New Year to all our wikiDeeks fans out there and welcome back to Season 13 after a long hiatus!  Here’s to a much healthier and happier 2022 for us all. 

PLEASE READ:  Before we get into the review, I’d like to address the ten-ton elephant in the room here in the review section.  We have had to close the review comments on the last two reviews due to some very negative and unconstructive remarks.  The editorial staff has made the decision to put an end to the show bashing found on this site lately.  That’s not why we created wikiDeeks.  If you are unhappy with the direction the show has taken recently then you may want to find another show that you can enjoy without so much angst.  Of course, you are most welcome to add constructive criticism and remarks that are enlightening and add to an intelligent discussion of the show.  But the constant bashing with people leaving the same comments repeatedly has got to stop.  We kindly ask that you take your overwhelming dissatisfaction with the show elsewhere or we will block you.  I hate to have to make this disclaimer but just know you have been forewarned. Let’s turn a new leaf and be a bit more kinder this year and if you are unable to do that then I wish you fair winds and following seas.  But I hope you will try to enjoy the show more or move on to entertainment that gives you greater satisfaction. Thanks.

Lost Soldier Down is the latest Season 13 episode which features the team investigating the apparent suicide of a Navy intelligence officer who leaps to his death after taking LSD.  It’s also Daniela Ruah’s second time in the director’s chair after her first effort, Russia, Russia, Russia.  It was interesting that Ruah didn’t spend any time in front of the camera and instead decided to concentrate all her efforts directing her colleagues and crew.  I think it contributed to a more coordinated show with a lot less chaos and a tighter fit.  Indira Wilson was the executive story editor for that first directorial episode, but this time Wilson pens the first story where she gets total writing credits.  Wilson has been the executive story editor for 17 other NCISLA episodes in 2020-21 along with some other acting credits to her name within the NCIS franchise.  It’s great to see two women in charge of a new episode and over all I was happy with the results.

Who Doesn’t Love a Zen Garden?

It always feels like home when I see the cast meeting up in the bullpen as they begin their NCIS day… even if Callen is still obsessed with finding more of Hetty’s proteges.  At least his sense of humor is intact.  Deeks’ announcement of his new Zen Garden as a surprise for Kensi when she returns from Mexico brings looks of disbelief from both Callen and Sam as if they know his wife better than he does.  And sometimes I believe they do.

Since drug use in the intelligent community can be a threat to security, Kilbride sends the team off to investigate who is supplying the ship with LSD and to find out if Vargas’ death was a murder or a suicide. Kilbride knows better but orders the team to be discreet, regardless.  Famous last words.

Uncle Creepy

I guess we learned a little more about Fatima and Roundtree’s personal life and knowing more about the character’s family life can be illuminating at times.  But since these two characters are outlanders and not always integral to the storyline, it’s sometimes a waste of valuable storyline time, in my opinion.  Until these two characters are essential to the show, I’m afraid these interludes are unnecessary. As much as I loved Nell and Eric, sometimes their drama could get in the way of a good story too.   

What I do like seeing are the tide-and-true scenes that made this series so enjoyable.  I enjoyed watching Callen and Sam having one of their little heart-to-heart talks in the Cobra with a little Shakespear and Sandlot thrown in.  Also, another throwback is Deeks discussing Kensi’s green thumb or lack thereof and Roundtree wanting to be on hand when Kensi gets to see Deeks’ Zen Garden surprise for the first time.  This show has always been about the action, but it’s also been about the tiny moments that brings these characters to life.  It’s what I always remember long after all the ‘shoot ‘em up’ scenes.

What, Showtunes?

I had to giggle at Roundtree’s guess at how Deeks handled his anxiety while working with the LAPD.  Showtunes?  Roundtree question, even though a little bit sarcastic shows how much of an open book Deeks is. More hilarity ensues as Deeks has his first VR experience.  “Where are my feet?” Deeks rolling around on the couch is a hoot as he tries to find clues within the game.

Meantime, Callen and Sam interrogate one of the other sailors who may have given Vargas the drugs, but things just aren’t adding up.  He is shocked at Vargas’ death but doesn’t know how he got the drugs either. Really?  No one seems to know where these drugs are coming from?  Interesting dilemma.  Deeks and Roundtree gather up more clues but are interrupted by someone who proclaims Vargas’ death was murder. Vargas’ love interest swears he would never have taken the drug.  So, we are back to square one.  As the agents get closer to finding out how the drugs were distributed throughout the ship, finding who is bring the drugs aboard ship is going to take more time.

It’s my New Obsession

Candy Crunch it isn’t.  Callen has located one of Hetty’s wunderkinds and Sam’s right.  Finding every foster kid Hetty ever took in is not going to fill in the blank pages of Callen’s life.  But you know Callen, once he gets obsessed, he’s like a dog with a bone and will follow all leads to their logical conclusion.  Which of course is what makes him such a good agent despite all the drama.  Will he leave it alone?  You know he won’t.

And This is How the World Ends

There is definitely no bromance between Deeks and Roundtree, but they did make an amusing team.  Deeks berating his younger partner for his lack of knowledge regarding his favorite musical, Hair was quite amusing.

Deeks:  This my friend defined a generation.  It questioned authority.  In fact, it is the reason I wear my hair two inches longer than the average law enforcement officer.

Well now we know.  But I have a feeling his undercover work had a lot more to do with it than the musical, but never-the-less I enjoyed how Deeks (and probably ECO) was enjoying himself with the one-sided banter.  It reminded me when he was first teamed up with Kensi but now, he has a whole new audience to charm with Roundtree tagging along.  Poor Roundtree.  If he only knew what a Jimmy Snuka Super Fly Splash is. Deeks was at his crazy best in this episode.

No surprise the team works their magic and comes up with a shady contractor, Davis who had connections to the ship at the time the LSD problems began.  Tracking down Davis, the team goes in for the kill with guns blazing.  Deeks sounds like a cowboy wrangling his pickup to stop the bad guy from escaping.  And that’s about as discreet as Deeks gets. But it turns out the real criminal was Vargas’ therapist who was on a mission to heal the depressed officer, lacing some CBD gummies with the LSD.  The team solved two different crimes at the same time since the drug ring on the ship and Vargas’ death were not connected.  All in a day’s work for our NCIS crime fighters. A little anti-climactic I suppose but at least they were not saving the entire world, just a little corner of it.

Finally, the biggest laugh of the night came from the master, Sam Hanna:

Callen:  Have you seen the movie, Hair?

Sam:  Do I look like I’ve seen the movie Hair?

Perfect.  We love you Sam.

This episode was like a cozy, old blanket.  I didn’t realize how much I missed the bullpen banter, the Callen/Sam bromance and the innocent Deeks teasing until the hour came to an end.  Ruah and Wilson took us back to our NCIS roots at a time when we all fell in love with the show for all those reasons and more.  We need more episodes like this.  Nothing flashy, just back to the basics. What did you think of this week’s offering?  Let us know down in the comments below.  Karen will be back with a new review next week.  In the meantime, check out Deeks’ Surf Log.  We’ll see you all next week!