Review: NCISLA “Best Seller” (S14E11)

This weekʻs NCIS: Los Angeles episode, written by Kyle Harimoto and directed by James Hanlon, gave us a slew of recurring characters in an effort to distract from the fact that Sam, Callen, and Deeks were all away on assignment. It mostly worked, even if I might have preferred an episode that followed the boys on their “undercover sting operation.”

Familiar Faces

The reinforcements arrived in droves. First we had Mr. Ruah, David Paul Olsen, back as Sam’s SEAL buddy Tom Olsen. He’d become a best-selling author since we saw him last, and that notoriety allowed his enemies to find him and try to kill him, providing us with the events that set the story in motion. These were the first scenes we’ve gotten between Daniela Ruah and her husband. I didn’t feel a whole lot of chemistry, but that was appropriate given their characters’ relationship. (I assume they’d met before but weren’t at all close.) I enjoyed Kensi gushing about Tom’s writing, and could definitely see (in another universe) Kensi and Tom having a lot in common, right down to knowledge about tracking and wilderness survival. Whether Tom would have had the heart and determination and charm to get close to her, who knows? But what stood out most to me was Kensi describing one of Tom’s characters as “the moral compass of the whole series,” even though he wasn’t the main character. I’d argue that sounds a lot like Deeks, in a meta sense, and even in his role on the team. 

Overall, the story was simple (in a good way) and easy to follow, while still keeping up a decent sense of momentum. The team got help from wrestler DOJ Agent Lance Hamilton, played by Bill Goldberg, and from CIA Agent Special Deputy U.S. Marshal Vostanik Sabatino (Erik Palladino). They also got key intel from everyone’s favorite baker/ex-weapons dealer Nina Barnes (Lesley Boone). Besides actually backing up the team in the field, some of these characters also provided the humor that Deeks might otherwise have given the episode. Sabatino and Fatima actually had good chemistry, even if their conversation consisted almost entirely of generational complaints/jokes. I will spare you all another rant about that recurring conversational theme. Nina also provided her usual dose of directness that puts the team on their heels in an entertaining way. (Although, is it really OK to ask someone about their ethnic heritage? Especially if you’re going to criticize their appearance as regards said heritage?)

If having an episode like this, filled with recurring characters, gives us an extra episode or two where Sam and Callen are partnered together, or where Deeks gets to play off of the duo in some way, it’s a trade-off that makes sense. It’s just a shame that Eric Christian Olsen missed out on any scenes with his brother.

Family Ties

There were a few moments of heart in the midst of the case. Rosa (Natalia del Riego) and Kensi’s day of quality time got canceled because of the case, but we still got a short scene in the boatshed between the two. I still feel like Kensi is trying way too hard, that she’s overly anxious to make everything perfect for Rosa. No wonder she’s exhausted all the time! It’s been a nicely consistent characterization that I think fits her perfectionistic character well. (Also perfectly in character is Kensi dispensing survival gear, complete with knife, to her daughter.) I hope we’ll see her settling into her role as mother more in the future. I’d also like to see Rosa be a little less well-adjusted. She seems to have settled into her new life without any road bumps at all, which doesn’t feel totally realistic.

En route to Utah, Kensi and, of all people, Lance, had a heart to heart of sorts, discussing Lance’s readiness to date again after the loss of his wife. Kensi’s reactions were interesting here. Could she have been putting herself in Lance’s shoes, wondering if she’d ever be able to date again if she lost Deeks? (Perish the very thought!)

The end of the episode showed us Kilbride looking after Rosa. (Seriously, isn’t she old enough to be home alone for a few hours? Or are they still worried about the prices put on their collective heads in the last episode?) When Kensi thanked him, he replied, “Why must everything be about you, Agent Blye?” It seemed an odd thing to say, and felt a little mean given Kensi’s reaction. But the final shot of Kilbride and Rosa made me think that perhaps he was helping out for his own selfish causes, because he actually enjoyed looking after one of the team’s loved ones.

Memorable Moments

• For those of us who are happy with the developing friendship between Rountree and Fatima and aren’t anxious for more, it was heartening to hear Rountree express interest in Fatima’s attractive veterinarian friend.
• But that shirt of Rountree’s… I know nothing about style, but all I could think about were my dad’s pajamas. (And why can’t Rountree store extra clothes in a locker like the rest of the team?)
• I loved hearing Kensi’s defense of Deeks’ “golden locks.” He’d be so pleased to have overheard it, even if she did give away styling secrets that went beyond his pillow.
• Whoa, that’s quite the weapons cache descending from the boatshed ceiling! A significant budget expenditure for Kilbride, but also for the show. I’d rather they put the money towards paying ECO for an extra appearance.
• The jaggedy (is that a word?) handheld camera work in the climactic scenes almost made me sick to my stomach. I found it makes it hard to follow the actual action. It’s like the director wants to communicate that there is action happening without making the actual action strong enough to stand on its own.

That’s it from me on this Deeksless episode. I’m not sure when the next episode airs, but until then, check back later this week for new editions of Kensi’s Journal and the Drabble of the Week. We’ll also have another Decade of Deeks Re-Post soon. In the meantime, how did the Deeks-free “Best Seller” work for you? Tell us all about it in the Comments below.