Shane Brennan is a busy man.

He created NCIS: Los Angeles. He's behind its potential spinoff, Red. And he's also developed the new series coming in June to TNT, King & Maxwell.

But Brennan still found time to jump on the phone with TV Fanatic this week and talk about his myriad of projects.

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TV Fanatic: Let’s start with King & Maxwell. What are the different challenges in creating the show based on the David Baldacci books? An NCIS spinoff is one thing but this is coming from a different – and very popular - source.
Shane Brennan: David Baldacci has sold over 130 million books around the world, and a whole bunch of those are based on King & Maxwell. It would be pretty crazy of me to adapt those books and give my particular take on King & Maxwell. It has to be David’s take so the audience will recognize it. Otherwise, the audience who love the characters in the novels will be critical of the characters on the screen. It’s very challenging.

Baldacci actually has said so publicly [that] we have surpassed his great hope that these characters would translate to the screen, and you can thank Rebecca [Romijn] and Jon [Tenney] for that. They are astonishing as King & Maxwell.

TVF: Let’s move over to NCIS: Los Angeles, which of course has another couple that everyone’s rooting for to get together, the whole Kensi-Deeks relationship. Can you talk a little about what’s coming for them in the finale.
SB: It is one of the powerful season finales we’ve done because of what’s at stake. Anyone who’s watched the season knows that there are a bunch of nuclear weapons about to be sold on to the market and all that comes to a head in the finale…because there’s so much jeopardy because the stakes are so much higher, you find characters doing things that they wouldn’t normally do. Under that pressure, we certainly see hints of something unexpected, something that the audience has perhaps wanted to see but it comes in a surprising way. It provides a moment…let me say, a bittersweetness to the Kensi-Deeks relationship in this last episode of the season.

TVF: In "Raven & The Swans," Callen questioned Hetty’s recruiting tactics and her background, which we got a really nice back story there. Is that just filling in gaps there? Or is that something that’s going to come to light in these next episodes?
SB: That’s almost, in fact, setting up something for next season. This season we focused a lot of our storytelling Sam revealing the other side of Sam, the fact that he’s married to a woman who turns out to be a former CIA agent, who has been reactivated. We focused on that, but we haven’t done much on the Callen story. We touched on various parts of the Hetty-Callen backstory. Certainly in "Raven & The Swans," we touched on that some more.

It is, in fact, though, setting up what would be a pretty astonishing season in season five, where we focus on Callen. We restart his journey of discovery, and it clearly involves Hetty, and it will take us into some very surprising places next season.

TVF: How are Callen and Sam? They seem to be in a good place just partnership-wise. Is there conflict between them in these next episodes?
SB: Well, one of the interesting things that happens in the finale is that, because of the circumstance of the episode, all of the partnerships are swapped around. We’ve done this once or twice before over the last four seasons, and there’s always been a certain amount of fun. It takes on much more of a dangerous element in this season finale with these changes.

We have Deeks and Sam partner up. These are two characters when we put them together there was always friction. All that’s turned on its head because of the circumstances that they find themselves in…this episode goes to a very dark place. Particularly, the last two scenes, it’s quite grueling to watch. The stakes are very high because we’re talking about these new weapons [and] as a result, what we have is probably the most powerful last two scenes of NCIS: LA that we’ve ever done.

When I was watching the cut [of the episode], I had to look away. I won’t tell you what I was looking away from, but it will take you to perhaps, the reality of what can happen to these undercover agents when things don’t go quite the way they were planned.

TVF: Assuming the Red spinoff goes forward, how will it be different from the other shows in the franchise?
SB: I didn’t want to do NCIS: New York. To me, and I’ve worked on a lot of different procedurals over the years, both in this country and in Australia. And the thing that the audience always ultimately hankers for is, so what do they do when they go home? That’s what Red is. You get to see them at home. You get to see them in the pressure cooker of working and living together, and this has a different pace and feeling than the other two. It will be a different show, but within the NCIS franchise, but in the NCIS world. This thing goes about solving crimes in their own particular way, and that particular style they have is based on them having been forced to work and live together.

So the lines between their personal lives and their work lives, they’re not blurred, they’re just totally intermingled so they can be on their way to the laundry, and have to stop and track down a suspect. They can wake up in the morning, argue over putting the strap on their guns and go to a crime scene, and when there’s a crime scene argue over who’s going to do the dishes when they get back, and who was snoring, and all those sorts of issues that we have when we get into the personal lives of people. To me, it seemed to be a great opportunity to see what the other side of the coin looks like.

NCIS: Los Angeles airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on CBS. King & Maxwell premieres June 10th at 10 p.m. on TNT. We’ll find out about Red next week when CBS announces its fall programming slate.

Did Hetty promote the Densi relationship?

The note that she had Kensi give Deeks at the end of "Parley" would seem to indicate that. It said "Sunshine and Gunpowder." Two seemingly unrelated words, but very important to both Deeks and Kensi.

In "Wanted," that is how Deeks described Kensi's scent, "You smell like sunshine and gun powder. Two of my favorite things." Aww.

Ever since Deeks' arrival to NCIS, I've been adamant that these partners never get together. Never. That was until I started to soften towards the idea a couple episodes ago in "Resurrection" when Kensi and Deeks talked about playing house. In that moment, their partnership banter moved beyond the sexual innuendos and showed the substance beneath their feelings for each other. 

And, now remembering the "Sunshine and Gunpowder" scene, I'm beginning to wonder if I began to shift my opinion much earlier than I realized because I remember that as a very positive, loving moment between the two. After looking at my review, I realize why I still held firm that they shouldn't cross over he professional to romantic line back then. It was because of the warning words from Agent Sobatino. Though, Hetty's support changes everything.

Deeks has gone undercover before, but this time was different. When Deeks was Max Gendry prior to coming to NCIS, he fell for his best friend's wife, Nicole. And, Kensi was shocked by the reveal when he had to resume that cover on one of their cases. That history had to grate on Kensi even if it wasn't mentioned. But, Monica was not Nicole.

Initially, it was awkward because his involvement with Monica was kept a secret from Kensi. At least it was clear that Deeks had absolutely no interest in a relationship with her. Going undercover is never easy. Deeks and Sam have both struggled with feelings for their assets and how the lies have hurt them. Even though Deeks didn't have feelings for Monica, the situation caused friction in his partnership with Kensi.

Their last interaction was painful to watch. 

Deeks: I was just gonna see if you were good.
Kensi: Yeah. You?
Deeks: I'm good, if you're good.
Kensi: I'm good.
Deeks: Okay. That's good. We're good. Which is, you know, great.
Kensi: I'm glad we cleared that up. ... See ya tomorrow. | permalink

As they said everything was good between them, their body language and vocalization of the words revealed the truth. They aren't good. And, they definitely aren't great. Neither of them was willing to express their feelings for the other. What held them back? The job? Fear of rejection? Or, perhaps that once they put their feelings out, there they couldn't take them back?

With Hetty's letter to Deeks, he now has permission to love Kensi from his boss. And, more importantly, the acknowledgement from someone else that those feelings are legitimate and even support that they are reciprocal.

Will Deeks go get the girl? From someone who didn't want to see it happen, the romantic in me wants him to to go and sweep Kensi off her feet. And, for them to remain partners, have kids, and live happily ever after. Okay, it's definitely not going to work out that way, but it was fun to think about for a moment. If he went after her now, it could also work against him. I'm not sure she trusts him enough. Love is complicated.

With Monica's help, NCIS got the lead they needed in order to try and stop Sidorov's sale of the stolen nukes. Sam's wife, Michelle, is still undercover as Quinn and will be back in the Season 4 finale, "Descent" with the team off in search for the nukes. That means the resolution of Deeks and Kensi's relationship may be put on hold. If that's the case, it will be a long wait until September and NCIS: LA season 5!

Do you want Deeks and Kensi to finally admit their feelings for each other? Did Hetty's note mean that she's supportive of the relationship? Are you looking forward to Michelle's return and perhaps the conclusion of the Sidorov storyline?

Odds and Ends

• This episode was almost overwhelmed by banter. If lines were counted, I wouldn't be surprised if there were more lines of banter than there were about the actual case. Callen and Sam were on fire tonight. Plus, the ear wig stuff between Deeks and Kensi. At least it was all hilarious, especially the super hero stuff.
• Monica's interrogation by Deeks (not Max) was uncomfortable. His guilt was palpable and she didn't let up for even a moment.
• What did Monica whisper to Deeks? My first thought was that she's pregnant, but I can't imagine that Deeks would have let her go through with the undercover meet then. And, after she was shot, he would have made some comment, right?
• And, why was Monica so determined to make Kensi question Deeks? Was it jealousy? Or, was there more to her "trust" comment?
• After all the doubts, remember "Sunshine and Gunpowder."

Two of the most terrible people in the world, Isaak Sidorov and Marcel Janvier, both returned to wreak havoc in the NCIS: Los Angeles season finale. When criminal masterminds like those two are involved, it's dangerous to let your guard down even for a second. 

In "Descent," that's exactly what happened... with tragic results. 

Before I get into the core of the NCIS plan and where it all went wrong, I have to complain and complain LOUDLY to the writers and producers of NCIS: LA. I don't mind cliffhangers throughout a season and I don't even mind them in finales. Television is a serial storytelling format, so it's understandable for there to be unresolved questions. If done well, cliffhangers create an emotional connection for viewers with the characters and with the show.

That is not how NCIS:LA season 4 ended though. Instead, the finale was the first half of a story. It was part 1 of a two-parter. You don't close out a season with part 1 and then make fans wait months for part 2. That's just cruel. It was bad enough when the stolen nuke story was first introduced in "Out of the Past, Part 1," that the conclusion didn't air for two weeks. It's going to be a long summer waiting to see the conclusion to the story.

Despite the horribly unfair ending, the episode itself was intense and one of the best of the season. In the season 4 premiere, Callen pretended to go rogue after it was presumed that he killed Janvier back in the season 3 finale. His return was a nice way to bookend the season. When they saved Janvier and got him to agree to help them facilitate the purchase of the nuclear weapons from Sidorov, no one at NCIS seemed concerned with his loyalty.

Why? He killed Lauren Hunter and had no reason to help them. Janvier even said he wanted to die, so why wouldn't he want to get revenge on Callen and the NCIS for what they did to him? When he ultimately betrayed them by tipping off Sidorov, it shouldn't have been a surprise. Janvier was the Chameleon and talented at manipulated people and moving pieces into place. And, while he may still be in US custody, he's won. Unlike fake shooting last year, will Callen take him out this time for real?

Meanwhile, Sam and Deeks are being tortured for information about Quinn. Sidorov really loves her. Though, he seemed determined to find out that she had betrayed him. After all the torture Sam withstood, it still wasn't enough for Sidorov to believe Quinn was clean. Instead, he moved on to Deeks to torture him and in an even more horrific manner than Sam. The damage to Deeks will be permanent, if he even survives.

One complaint I had about Deeks' answers is why didn't he say, "Quinn who?" By saying that she wasn't an agent, wasn't he acknowledging that he knew her? Maybe I misread that scene, but that threw flags up for me. At least he had a good explanation about why he showed up to save Sam. As a LAPD officer, he had to respond to prevent a murder of someone regardless of whether they are an agent or even a criminal, right?

Meanwhile, Michelle's life literally hangs in the balance. Will the plastic sheeting hold her long enough for Kensi to get to her and pull her up? I can't imagine that she will die, at least not that way. It would be doubly tragic if she died and the guys withstood the torture to protect her. It definitely would be a shocking conclusion.

Odds and Ends

• The nuclear explosion just to prove it would work was quite a dramatic display. 
• The aftermath of Deeks' undercover relationship and his inability to discuss his relationship with Kensi didn't go away. If anything, Kensi was more frustrated with him than before. His answer: a Kiss! No words needed. With one simple move, he expressed his love for her. She didn't expect that from the look on her face, but she also didn't push him away. If Deeks survives Sidorov, they need to have a real, honest heart-to-heart. If he dies, it will make her pain even greater.
• Sam's disrespect of Deeks was more front and center than ever before. Sam's mean comment after Hetty made the assignment and then cruelty towards Deeks while playing or not playing chess was over the top. I'm not sure it was all necessary to get the point across. Despite Sam's issues with Deeks, the LAPD officer risked his own life to save Sam and now is being tortured for information that would threaten Sam's wife. Deeks must hold strong. I want Sam to beg for forgiveness for his unfounded mistrust and maliciousness towards Deeks.
• Does Janvier really have a daughter? Or, was that just a ploy that he used to get NCIS to lower their guard towards him?

The morning after the NCIS: Los Angeles season 4 finale, "Descent," I went to read the comments on my review and was taken aback by what I found: many people were highly disturbed with the torture of Sam and particularly Deeks.

I saw the scene as part of the story and didn't even consider the possibility that it would be controversial. But I appeared to be in the minority.

 

NCIS: Los Angeles Torture Scene

However, it also wasn't the first or most brutal torture scene I'd watched on network or cable television this year.  For cable, Philip was tortured intensively to determine if he betrayed his country or not on The Americans. On Justified, Constable Bob was brutally beat and tortured for information.

Brutal violence may be more commonplace on cable, but network shows weren't immune either. On The Following, Mike Westen was captured and put through a series of torturous rounds and stabbed to break him for a person's location. Nora, on this week's Revolution, was water tortured, beaten and given drugs for similar information.

Torture on television isn't a rare occurrence. Many of the comments indicated shock that NCIS: Los Angeles would go there in an episode. Over the past four seasons, the show hasn't been a series of pleasant tea parties, Hetty's excluded of course.

The show is violent every week. People are beaten shot, killed and even blown up. The NCIS agents have been put through the ringer, too, though not to this level before. Although Ziva was also tortured on NCISseveral seasons ago. The torture in "Descent" was not gratuitous because it was integral to the storytelling. 

I rewatched the scene in the video released by CBS and understand why people were uncomfortable with the torture, but I'd be concerned by anyone who enjoyed it. The actual torture was only shown for seconds and was more disturbing to see outside the context of the full episode.

The entire hour built in tension and danger up until the moment Deeks' screams. It was Eric Christian Olsen's brilliant performance during those final 30 seconds that sold it as a horrific, painful event; not the viewing of actual torture. 

Was the scene too much? I don't think so. In fact, it was somewhat toned down from what it could have been. Sam was electrified a few times and that wasn't nearly has painful as the look on his face when he feared for his wife's life.

The visual torture of Deeks lasted only a few seconds. It was just enough to get the point across without overdoing it. Ultimately, it wasn't the physical action that sold the excruciating pain, it was Deeks' scream.

Do you think the torture scene was outside the realm of what should be on NCIS: Los Angeles? Was it integral to the story? Was more graphic than it needed to be? Or did you find it to be well done? 

What did you make of the NCIS: Los Angeles torture scene?

NCIS: Los Angeles season 4 was driven by the search for stolen Soviet nukes that were dug up after being hidden in American soil. This case brought Sam's wife out of retirement to return to an undercover role of Quinn.

While the team took on other cases throughout the year, the search for the nukes was the highlight of the season.

Check out the NCIS: LA Report Card below and then stop by and review some of our other Report Cards: Person of Interest, Castle, The Big Bang Theory and Once Upon a Time.

Best Episode: The finale, "Descent," was one of many excellent episodes, but it gets the top spot for a few reasons. It was an intense hour with non-stop action, put the NCIS agents in peril, and most importantly was a nice bookend to the season. The premiere dealt with the aftermath of Callen shooting the Chameleon (Marcel Janvier) and he returned to help NCIS with their other ongoing case to find the stolen nukes. The "To Be Continued" aspect was annoying, but despite that it was the best hour of the show.

Worst Episode: Without a doubt, the worst non-planted spin-off hour was "Dead Body Politic." The writers clearly wanted to do an election themed episode, but this one didn't work. There was no plausible reason for NCIS to be involved and the case itself wasn't entertaining at all.

Biggest Controversy: The torture of Sam and Deeks by Sidorov. It was horrific and with Michelle's undercover identity and life at risk it raised the stakes beyond their own pain. That said, I was surprised by the controversy over the torture scene.

Best kiss: This is a tough one. I would have said Eric and Nell's fun mistletoe kiss in "Free Ride" up until the finale. I've been against a Deeks and Kensi romance for so long, but Deeks kissing Kensi after her nagging him about his communication skills was the perfect response. I can't believe I'm warming up to a potential romance between them. I can't decide, so it's a tie!

Biggest Waste of Two Episodes: The backdoor pilot episodes for the potential NCIS: Red were just awful. The concept of the series was intriguing, but the storytelling and the characters were not. Behind the election episode, these two hours were the worst of the season. 

Biggest Shocker:  In "Ravens and Swans," Hetty admitted that she recruited "a lot" of orphans and trained them to be operatives. Whoa. Now that would be an spin-off I wouldn't mind seeing. Hetty and her adult orphans on secret missions around the world!

Best Smell: Sunshine and Gunpowder!

Hopes for season 5:

• Deeks doesn't break and protects Quinn. And, then Sam gives him the grandest, most sincere apology for treating him poorly and questioning his loyalty and worthiness to the team. Either way, Deeks risked his life and was submitted to torture for saving Sam's life.
• Deeks and Sam are rescued without any permanent psychological or physical damage.  And, Quinn is saved by Kensi. No deaths when the show returns.
• Hetty and her orphans are explored.
• The stolen nukes are found and that storyline is concluded. 
• More episodes that focus on national security issues, undercover work, and action. No more episodes that are outside NCIS's scope.

YOUR turn, TV Fanatics: Grade the season now...

It's first in the ratings and now it's the first network to reveal its 2013-2014 primetime schedule.

Yes, CBS has come out with the premiere dates for its unscripted fall shows, beginning with Survivor on September 18 and then truly kicking things into high, fresh gear on Monday, September 23.

Set that DVR accordingly, schedule those September vacations and scroll down now...

Wednesday, Sept. 18
8:00-9:30 PM SURVIVOR

Monday, Sept. 23
8:00-9:00 PM HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
9:00-9:30 PM 2 BROKE GIRLS
9:30-10:00 PM MOM
10:00-11:00 PM HOSTAGES

Tuesday, Sept. 24
8:00-9:00 PM NCIS
9:00-10:00 PM NCIS: LOS ANGELES
10:00-11:00 PM PERSON OF INTEREST

Wednesday, Sept. 25
9:00-10:00 PM CRIMINAL MINDS
10:00-11:00 PM CSI

Thursday, Sept. 26
8:00-8:30 PM THE BIG BANG THEORY
8:30-9:00 PM THE MILLERS
9:00-9:30 PM THE CRAZY ONES 
9:30-10:00 PM TWO AND A HALF MEN 
10:00-11:00 PM ELEMENTARY

Friday, Sept. 27
8:00-9:00 PM UNDERCOVER BOSS
9:00-10:00 PM HAWAII FIVE-0
10:00-11:00 PM BLUE BLOODS

Sunday, Sept. 29
7:00-8:00 PM 60 MINUTES 
8:00-9:00 PM THE AMAZING RACE 
9:00-10:00 PM THE GOOD WIFE
10:00-11:00 PM THE MENTALIST

Monday, February 24
10:00-11:00 PM INTELLIGENCE

Coming off a controversial season finale - did those torture scenes go too far? - NCIS: Los Angeles returns with new episodes on Tuesday, September 24.

And what can fans expect from an opener titled "Ascension?"

According to the official network description, Sam and Deeks will continue to recover from May's painful events, which have a "lasting impact on their personal and professional relationships." Elsewhere, the team will search for stolen nuclear weapons and look to avert disaster before it can strike.

Click through photos now from the NCIS: Los Angeles Season 5 premiere and visit TV Fanatic soon after it concludes for a thorough recap and review:

NCIS: Los Angeles pulled a fast one on "Resurrection."

The faked death of cartel leader Miquel Barbosa wasn't too much of a surprise... but I never saw Kensi and Deeks' plan with Javier coming. Well done, writers.

It's storytelling twists like that which make an otherwise routine procedural hour of television a joy to watch. When Javier ran away from the NCIS vehicle, I wrote in my notes, "What the heck was he thinking?" Even though he loved Barbosa like a father, I couldn't imagine that he would risk his life to go back to him.

I was wrong, because Javier did risk his life to see Barbosa again. Though, it wasn't for a family reunion, but to turn on the resurrected leader and lead NCIS right to him. Initially, Javier didn't have any reason to withhold information from NCIS. His father figure was presumed dead. Through Javier's story about the song, "Resurrection," the team realized that Barbosa wasn't really dead.

That's when Javier had to decide whether to risk his own life to bring down his replacement father or let NCIS come up with a different plan. When Kensi and Deeks were transporting Javier to "Witness Protection," I bought the story. I also didn't catch on that the garbage truck attack was a set up. It definitely seemed real enough with bullets flying every which way. And, Kensi sold it by yelling after Javier to not run away. But, it was all a set-up to get Javier back in with Barbosa's cartel.

When the hidden camera on Javier and the fake ambush were revealed, it got serious. Javier was no longer responsible for his own life and decision, that responsibility fell to Kensi and Deeks. Would they be able to protect him? It was a close call, but in the end they were. Callen's impersonation of killed DEA Special Agent John Ness provided the distraction needed to save Javier.

Even though Barbosa took Javier as a hostage and threatened his life, there was a moment when it wasn't clear which side the young man would choose. Javier loved Barbosa, but he ended up chosing his own life and dreams. He could have gone into Witness Protection, but then he would have had to give up his life as a singer and songwriter. Instead, he decided to bring down Barbosa, so he could continue his life without fear.

In a touching moment after Barbosa was killed, Javier reached out to Kensi for comfort. The usually stoic Kensi showed her compassion and reassured him by saying, "Javier, you did good. You did good." In that moment, Kensi overcame her fear of connection as a proud Deeks looked on.

After initially refusing to help Sam out by babysitting his kids, Kensi agreed to do it after her experience with Javier. Though, she had one condition, which was that Sam had to let Deeks babysit too. I've continually disliked the idea of Kensi and Deeks becoming romantic, but for the first time, my heart felt for them when they talked about playing house. I fear I'm softening to the idea of them together.

They are such good partners and friends that I'd hate to see them ruin that by hooking up. At the same time, they are growing as individuals together, which could lead them to the perfect personal partnership. I'm still not there, but it's becoming more clear that perhaps they really are meant for each other. Maybe....

Did you see the twist coming with the fake ambush and Javier going undercover? Should Kensi and Deeks move their relationship from friendly professional to something more personal and romantic?

Hetty sure has a lot of secrets, doesn't she?

It's interesting how time and time again the NCIS: Los Angeles team will take unusual or questionable assignments from Hetty without requiring a complete explanation. They may push her for some information, but when she blocks their attempts, they go ahead and investigate anyway. They view her secrecy more as an annoyance than something to be concerned about and that's troubling.

In "Raven & the Swans," Hetty wanted the team to look into the attack of a unidentified woman in a parking garage. On the face, there was no reason to believe the case was related to the military or even national security, but they looked into it regardless.

Callen and Sam's suspicions got the better of them and they found both Hetty and the mystery woman having tea in the boathouse. Oops! Or as Hetty said, "Aww, bugger!" The woman was NCIS Agent Grace Stevens. She had been recruited to NCIS in a similar manner as Callen, Sullivan, Paris, and Hunter by Hetty. Grace was working undercover as the live-in girlfriend of criminal Nolan Vandenburg and he tried to have her killed.

Hetty's secrecy about Grace didn't make much sense. If Hetty was concerned about her recruit, why wouldn't she want the team to help find her, rather than just investigate the men? There wasn't any reason not to trust them with the information and it was inevitable that they would find out. It came across as an unnecessary and poor plot device to create conflict with Callen.

If Hetty told them about Grace, Callen still would have gotten upset with her, since his anger was more jealousy than anything. He thought he was special to Hetty and over the years he has found out that he was just one of a few. And, now one of a lot. Hetty used orphans as her personal recruiting pipeline by replicating the Soviet program of Ravens and Swans. Her confession explains a lot about her recruits.

Now that her recruiting past is out in the open, will more of the former orphans be revealed? Since Hetty used them as a surrogate family, it would be interesting to see if they all ended up single and alone as she is. So far, Hetty's recruits that we have seen all proved to be excellent agents and dedicated to their jobs to the detriment of their personal lives.

In NCIS:LA season 4, Sam's home life has become a focal point with his wife's involvement with Sidorov. And, then with Sam's kids mentioned over the last two episodes with Kensi and Deeks babysitting and then Callen agreeing to dress up for his daughter's birthday party. While he has been able to have a somewhat normal home life, the rest of the team has had trouble in the love and family department.

Initially, I thought the kids were mentioned to foreshadow troubles that they will be facing due to the Sidorov thing, but now I'm wondering it has something to do with the rest of the team craving a personal and family life themselves. Is Callen capable of having a life like Sam's? Or, is he destined to be alone like Hetty? What about Deeks and Kensi? It's definitely not easy in their line of work.

Odds and Ends

• Callen as Professor Lupin! Why is it we never get to actually see this stuff?
• "Touching Wood" - no words.
• Deeks and Kensi going over the threshold was hilarious. Even better ... Deeks throwing Kensi on the bed not once, but twice! And, then her putting him in a headlock with her legs. Kensi rocks! Even though, it was Deeks that was in the band.
• Eric should never go undercover. He can't fake an expression to save his life or do a hand-off.
• Nell was awesome as the maid. She covered well, even though she didn't put the briefcase back in the right place. I love seeing her in the field.
• The fight between Hetty and Callen was intense and a long time coming. It's a shame that he's not as special as he thought he was, especially given his troubled childhood.
• Only better than their fight was Hetty laying out the truth for Callen. 
• Callen: You would have made a great mother, Hetty.
  Hetty: I like to think I have. | permalink

Shane Brennan is a busy man.

He created NCIS: Los Angeles. He's behind its potential spinoff, Red. And he's also developed the new series coming in June to TNT, King & Maxwell.

But Brennan still found time to jump on the phone with TV Fanatic this week and talk about his myriad of projects.

----------------------------------

TV Fanatic: Let’s start with King & Maxwell. What are the different challenges in creating the show based on the David Baldacci books? An NCIS spinoff is one thing but this is coming from a different – and very popular - source.
Shane Brennan: David Baldacci has sold over 130 million books around the world, and a whole bunch of those are based on King & Maxwell. It would be pretty crazy of me to adapt those books and give my particular take on King & Maxwell. It has to be David’s take so the audience will recognize it. Otherwise, the audience who love the characters in the novels will be critical of the characters on the screen. It’s very challenging.

Baldacci actually has said so publicly [that] we have surpassed his great hope that these characters would translate to the screen, and you can thank Rebecca [Romijn] and Jon [Tenney] for that. They are astonishing as King & Maxwell.

TVF: Let’s move over to NCIS: Los Angeles, which of course has another couple that everyone’s rooting for to get together, the whole Kensi-Deeks relationship. Can you talk a little about what’s coming for them in the finale.
SB: It is one of the powerful season finales we’ve done because of what’s at stake. Anyone who’s watched the season knows that there are a bunch of nuclear weapons about to be sold on to the market and all that comes to a head in the finale…because there’s so much jeopardy because the stakes are so much higher, you find characters doing things that they wouldn’t normally do. Under that pressure, we certainly see hints of something unexpected, something that the audience has perhaps wanted to see but it comes in a surprising way. It provides a moment…let me say, a bittersweetness to the Kensi-Deeks relationship in this last episode of the season.

TVF: In "Raven & The Swans," Callen questioned Hetty’s recruiting tactics and her background, which we got a really nice back story there. Is that just filling in gaps there? Or is that something that’s going to come to light in these next episodes?
SB: That’s almost, in fact, setting up something for next season. This season we focused a lot of our storytelling Sam revealing the other side of Sam, the fact that he’s married to a woman who turns out to be a former CIA agent, who has been reactivated. We focused on that, but we haven’t done much on the Callen story. We touched on various parts of the Hetty-Callen backstory. Certainly in "Raven & The Swans," we touched on that some more.

It is, in fact, though, setting up what would be a pretty astonishing season in season five, where we focus on Callen. We restart his journey of discovery, and it clearly involves Hetty, and it will take us into some very surprising places next season.

TVF: How are Callen and Sam? They seem to be in a good place just partnership-wise. Is there conflict between them in these next episodes?
SB: Well, one of the interesting things that happens in the finale is that, because of the circumstance of the episode, all of the partnerships are swapped around. We’ve done this once or twice before over the last four seasons, and there’s always been a certain amount of fun. It takes on much more of a dangerous element in this season finale with these changes.

We have Deeks and Sam partner up. These are two characters when we put them together there was always friction. All that’s turned on its head because of the circumstances that they find themselves in…this episode goes to a very dark place. Particularly, the last two scenes, it’s quite grueling to watch. The stakes are very high because we’re talking about these new weapons [and] as a result, what we have is probably the most powerful last two scenes of NCIS: LA that we’ve ever done.

When I was watching the cut [of the episode], I had to look away. I won’t tell you what I was looking away from, but it will take you to perhaps, the reality of what can happen to these undercover agents when things don’t go quite the way they were planned.

TVF: Assuming the Red spinoff goes forward, how will it be different from the other shows in the franchise?
SB: I didn’t want to do NCIS: New York. To me, and I’ve worked on a lot of different procedurals over the years, both in this country and in Australia. And the thing that the audience always ultimately hankers for is, so what do they do when they go home? That’s what Red is. You get to see them at home. You get to see them in the pressure cooker of working and living together, and this has a different pace and feeling than the other two. It will be a different show, but within the NCIS franchise, but in the NCIS world. This thing goes about solving crimes in their own particular way, and that particular style they have is based on them having been forced to work and live together.

So the lines between their personal lives and their work lives, they’re not blurred, they’re just totally intermingled so they can be on their way to the laundry, and have to stop and track down a suspect. They can wake up in the morning, argue over putting the strap on their guns and go to a crime scene, and when there’s a crime scene argue over who’s going to do the dishes when they get back, and who was snoring, and all those sorts of issues that we have when we get into the personal lives of people. To me, it seemed to be a great opportunity to see what the other side of the coin looks like.

NCIS: Los Angeles airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on CBS. King & Maxwell premieres June 10th at 10 p.m. on TNT. We’ll find out about Red next week when CBS announces its fall programming slate.

Did Hetty promote the Densi relationship?

The note that she had Kensi give Deeks at the end of "Parley" would seem to indicate that. It said "Sunshine and Gunpowder." Two seemingly unrelated words, but very important to both Deeks and Kensi.

In "Wanted," that is how Deeks described Kensi's scent, "You smell like sunshine and gun powder. Two of my favorite things." Aww.

Ever since Deeks' arrival to NCIS, I've been adamant that these partners never get together. Never. That was until I started to soften towards the idea a couple episodes ago in "Resurrection" when Kensi and Deeks talked about playing house. In that moment, their partnership banter moved beyond the sexual innuendos and showed the substance beneath their feelings for each other. 

And, now remembering the "Sunshine and Gunpowder" scene, I'm beginning to wonder if I began to shift my opinion much earlier than I realized because I remember that as a very positive, loving moment between the two. After looking at my review, I realize why I still held firm that they shouldn't cross over he professional to romantic line back then. It was because of the warning words from Agent Sobatino. Though, Hetty's support changes everything.

Deeks has gone undercover before, but this time was different. When Deeks was Max Gendry prior to coming to NCIS, he fell for his best friend's wife, Nicole. And, Kensi was shocked by the reveal when he had to resume that cover on one of their cases. That history had to grate on Kensi even if it wasn't mentioned. But, Monica was not Nicole.

Initially, it was awkward because his involvement with Monica was kept a secret from Kensi. At least it was clear that Deeks had absolutely no interest in a relationship with her. Going undercover is never easy. Deeks and Sam have both struggled with feelings for their assets and how the lies have hurt them. Even though Deeks didn't have feelings for Monica, the situation caused friction in his partnership with Kensi.

Their last interaction was painful to watch. 

Deeks: I was just gonna see if you were good.
Kensi: Yeah. You?
Deeks: I'm good, if you're good.
Kensi: I'm good.
Deeks: Okay. That's good. We're good. Which is, you know, great.
Kensi: I'm glad we cleared that up. ... See ya tomorrow. | permalink

As they said everything was good between them, their body language and vocalization of the words revealed the truth. They aren't good. And, they definitely aren't great. Neither of them was willing to express their feelings for the other. What held them back? The job? Fear of rejection? Or, perhaps that once they put their feelings out, there they couldn't take them back?

With Hetty's letter to Deeks, he now has permission to love Kensi from his boss. And, more importantly, the acknowledgement from someone else that those feelings are legitimate and even support that they are reciprocal.

Will Deeks go get the girl? From someone who didn't want to see it happen, the romantic in me wants him to to go and sweep Kensi off her feet. And, for them to remain partners, have kids, and live happily ever after. Okay, it's definitely not going to work out that way, but it was fun to think about for a moment. If he went after her now, it could also work against him. I'm not sure she trusts him enough. Love is complicated.

With Monica's help, NCIS got the lead they needed in order to try and stop Sidorov's sale of the stolen nukes. Sam's wife, Michelle, is still undercover as Quinn and will be back in the Season 4 finale, "Descent" with the team off in search for the nukes. That means the resolution of Deeks and Kensi's relationship may be put on hold. If that's the case, it will be a long wait until September and NCIS: LA season 5!

Do you want Deeks and Kensi to finally admit their feelings for each other? Did Hetty's note mean that she's supportive of the relationship? Are you looking forward to Michelle's return and perhaps the conclusion of the Sidorov storyline?

Odds and Ends

• This episode was almost overwhelmed by banter. If lines were counted, I wouldn't be surprised if there were more lines of banter than there were about the actual case. Callen and Sam were on fire tonight. Plus, the ear wig stuff between Deeks and Kensi. At least it was all hilarious, especially the super hero stuff.
• Monica's interrogation by Deeks (not Max) was uncomfortable. His guilt was palpable and she didn't let up for even a moment.
• What did Monica whisper to Deeks? My first thought was that she's pregnant, but I can't imagine that Deeks would have let her go through with the undercover meet then. And, after she was shot, he would have made some comment, right?
• And, why was Monica so determined to make Kensi question Deeks? Was it jealousy? Or, was there more to her "trust" comment?
• After all the doubts, remember "Sunshine and Gunpowder."

Two of the most terrible people in the world, Isaak Sidorov and Marcel Janvier, both returned to wreak havoc in the NCIS: Los Angeles season finale. When criminal masterminds like those two are involved, it's dangerous to let your guard down even for a second. 

In "Descent," that's exactly what happened... with tragic results. 

Before I get into the core of the NCIS plan and where it all went wrong, I have to complain and complain LOUDLY to the writers and producers of NCIS: LA. I don't mind cliffhangers throughout a season and I don't even mind them in finales. Television is a serial storytelling format, so it's understandable for there to be unresolved questions. If done well, cliffhangers create an emotional connection for viewers with the characters and with the show.

That is not how NCIS:LA season 4 ended though. Instead, the finale was the first half of a story. It was part 1 of a two-parter. You don't close out a season with part 1 and then make fans wait months for part 2. That's just cruel. It was bad enough when the stolen nuke story was first introduced in "Out of the Past, Part 1," that the conclusion didn't air for two weeks. It's going to be a long summer waiting to see the conclusion to the story.

Despite the horribly unfair ending, the episode itself was intense and one of the best of the season. In the season 4 premiere, Callen pretended to go rogue after it was presumed that he killed Janvier back in the season 3 finale. His return was a nice way to bookend the season. When they saved Janvier and got him to agree to help them facilitate the purchase of the nuclear weapons from Sidorov, no one at NCIS seemed concerned with his loyalty.

Why? He killed Lauren Hunter and had no reason to help them. Janvier even said he wanted to die, so why wouldn't he want to get revenge on Callen and the NCIS for what they did to him? When he ultimately betrayed them by tipping off Sidorov, it shouldn't have been a surprise. Janvier was the Chameleon and talented at manipulated people and moving pieces into place. And, while he may still be in US custody, he's won. Unlike fake shooting last year, will Callen take him out this time for real?

Meanwhile, Sam and Deeks are being tortured for information about Quinn. Sidorov really loves her. Though, he seemed determined to find out that she had betrayed him. After all the torture Sam withstood, it still wasn't enough for Sidorov to believe Quinn was clean. Instead, he moved on to Deeks to torture him and in an even more horrific manner than Sam. The damage to Deeks will be permanent, if he even survives.

One complaint I had about Deeks' answers is why didn't he say, "Quinn who?" By saying that she wasn't an agent, wasn't he acknowledging that he knew her? Maybe I misread that scene, but that threw flags up for me. At least he had a good explanation about why he showed up to save Sam. As a LAPD officer, he had to respond to prevent a murder of someone regardless of whether they are an agent or even a criminal, right?

Meanwhile, Michelle's life literally hangs in the balance. Will the plastic sheeting hold her long enough for Kensi to get to her and pull her up? I can't imagine that she will die, at least not that way. It would be doubly tragic if she died and the guys withstood the torture to protect her. It definitely would be a shocking conclusion.

Odds and Ends

• The nuclear explosion just to prove it would work was quite a dramatic display. 
• The aftermath of Deeks' undercover relationship and his inability to discuss his relationship with Kensi didn't go away. If anything, Kensi was more frustrated with him than before. His answer: a Kiss! No words needed. With one simple move, he expressed his love for her. She didn't expect that from the look on her face, but she also didn't push him away. If Deeks survives Sidorov, they need to have a real, honest heart-to-heart. If he dies, it will make her pain even greater.
• Sam's disrespect of Deeks was more front and center than ever before. Sam's mean comment after Hetty made the assignment and then cruelty towards Deeks while playing or not playing chess was over the top. I'm not sure it was all necessary to get the point across. Despite Sam's issues with Deeks, the LAPD officer risked his own life to save Sam and now is being tortured for information that would threaten Sam's wife. Deeks must hold strong. I want Sam to beg for forgiveness for his unfounded mistrust and maliciousness towards Deeks.
• Does Janvier really have a daughter? Or, was that just a ploy that he used to get NCIS to lower their guard towards him?

The morning after the NCIS: Los Angeles season 4 finale, "Descent," I went to read the comments on my review and was taken aback by what I found: many people were highly disturbed with the torture of Sam and particularly Deeks.

I saw the scene as part of the story and didn't even consider the possibility that it would be controversial. But I appeared to be in the minority.

 

NCIS: Los Angeles Torture Scene

However, it also wasn't the first or most brutal torture scene I'd watched on network or cable television this year.  For cable, Philip was tortured intensively to determine if he betrayed his country or not on The Americans. On Justified, Constable Bob was brutally beat and tortured for information.

Brutal violence may be more commonplace on cable, but network shows weren't immune either. On The Following, Mike Westen was captured and put through a series of torturous rounds and stabbed to break him for a person's location. Nora, on this week's Revolution, was water tortured, beaten and given drugs for similar information.

Torture on television isn't a rare occurrence. Many of the comments indicated shock that NCIS: Los Angeles would go there in an episode. Over the past four seasons, the show hasn't been a series of pleasant tea parties, Hetty's excluded of course.

The show is violent every week. People are beaten, shot, killed and even blown up. The NCIS agents have been put through the ringer, too, though not to this level before. Although Ziva was also tortured on NCISseveral seasons ago. The torture in "Descent" was not gratuitous because it was integral to the storytelling. 

I rewatched the scene in the video released by CBS and understand why people were uncomfortable with the torture, but I'd be concerned by anyone who enjoyed it. The actual torture was only shown for seconds and was more disturbing to see outside the context of the full episode.

The entire hour built in tension and danger up until the moment Deeks screams. It was Eric Christian Olsen's brilliant performance during those final 30 seconds that sold it as a horrific, painful event; not the viewing of actual torture. 

Was the scene too much? I don't think so. In fact, it was somewhat toned down from what it could have been. Sam was electrified a few times and that wasn't nearly has painful as the look on his face when he feared for his wife's life.

The visual torture of Deeks lasted only a few seconds. It was just enough to get the point across without overdoing it. Ultimately, it wasn't the physical action that sold the excruciating pain, it was Deeks' scream.

Do you think the torture scene was outside the realm of what should be on NCIS: Los Angeles? Was it integral to the story? Was more graphic than it needed to be? Or did you find it to be well done? 

What did you make of the NCIS: Los Angeles torture scene?

NCIS: Los Angeles season 4 was driven by the search for stolen Soviet nukes that were dug up after being hidden in American soil. This case brought Sam's wife out of retirement to return to an undercover role of Quinn.

While the team took on other cases throughout the year, the search for the nukes was the highlight of the season.

Check out the NCIS: LA Report Card below and then stop by and review some of our other Report Cards: Person of Interest, Castle, The Big Bang Theory and Once Upon a Time.

Best Episode: The finale, "Descent," was one of many excellent episodes, but it gets the top spot for a few reasons. It was an intense hour with non-stop action, put the NCIS agents in peril, and most importantly was a nice bookend to the season. The premiere dealt with the aftermath of Callen shooting the Chameleon (Marcel Janvier) and he returned to help NCIS with their other ongoing case to find the stolen nukes. The "To Be Continued" aspect was annoying, but despite that it was the best hour of the show.

Worst Episode: Without a doubt, the worst non-planted spin-off hour was "Dead Body Politic." The writers clearly wanted to do an election themed episode, but this one didn't work. There was no plausible reason for NCIS to be involved and the case itself wasn't entertaining at all.

Biggest Controversy: The torture of Sam and Deeks by Sidorov. It was horrific and with Michelle's undercover identity and life at risk it raised the stakes beyond their own pain. That said, I was surprised by the controversy over the torture scene.

Best kiss: This is a tough one. I would have said Eric and Nell's fun mistletoe kiss in "Free Ride" up until the finale. I've been against a Deeks and Kensi romance for so long, but Deeks kissing Kensi after her nagging him about his communication skills was the perfect response. I can't believe I'm warming up to a potential romance between them. I can't decide, so it's a tie!

Biggest Waste of Two Episodes: The backdoor pilot episodes for the potential NCIS: Red were just awful. The concept of the series was intriguing, but the storytelling and the characters were not. Behind the election episode, these two hours were the worst of the season. 

Biggest Shocker:  In "Ravens and Swans," Hetty admitted that she recruited "a lot" of orphans and trained them to be operatives. Whoa. Now that would be an spin-off I wouldn't mind seeing. Hetty and her adult orphans on secret missions around the world!

Best Smell: Sunshine and Gunpowder!

Hopes for season 5:

• Deeks doesn't break and protects Quinn. And, then Sam gives him the grandest, most sincere apology for treating him poorly and questioning his loyalty and worthiness to the team. Either way, Deeks risked his life and was submitted to torture for saving Sam's life.
• Deeks and Sam are rescued without any permanent psychological or physical damage.  And, Quinn is saved by Kensi. No deaths when the show returns.
• Hetty and her orphans are explored.
• The stolen nukes are found and that storyline is concluded. 
• More episodes that focus on national security issues, undercover work, and action. No more episodes that are outside NCIS's scope.

YOUR turn, TV Fanatics: Grade the season now...

It's first in the ratings and now it's the first network to reveal its 2013-2014 primetime schedule.

Yes, CBS has come out with the premiere dates for its unscripted fall shows, beginning with Survivor on September 18 and then truly kicking things into high, fresh gear on Monday, September 23.

Set that DVR accordingly, schedule those September vacations and scroll down now...

Wednesday, Sept. 18
8:00-9:30 PM SURVIVOR

Monday, Sept. 23
8:00-9:00 PM HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
9:00-9:30 PM 2 BROKE GIRLS
9:30-10:00 PM MOM
10:00-11:00 PM HOSTAGES

Tuesday, Sept. 24
8:00-9:00 PM NCIS
9:00-10:00 PM NCIS: LOS ANGELES
10:00-11:00 PM PERSON OF INTEREST

Wednesday, Sept. 25
9:00-10:00 PM CRIMINAL MINDS
10:00-11:00 PM CSI

Thursday, Sept. 26
8:00-8:30 PM THE BIG BANG THEORY
8:30-9:00 PM THE MILLERS
9:00-9:30 PM THE CRAZY ONES 
9:30-10:00 PM TWO AND A HALF MEN 
10:00-11:00 PM ELEMENTARY

Friday, Sept. 27
8:00-9:00 PM UNDERCOVER BOSS
9:00-10:00 PM HAWAII FIVE-0
10:00-11:00 PM BLUE BLOODS

Sunday, Sept. 29
7:00-8:00 PM 60 MINUTES 
8:00-9:00 PM THE AMAZING RACE 
9:00-10:00 PM THE GOOD WIFE
10:00-11:00 PM THE MENTALIST

Monday, February 24
10:00-11:00 PM INTELLIGENCE

Coming off a controversial season finale - did those torture scenes go too far? - NCIS: Los Angeles returns with new episodes on Tuesday, September 24.

And what can fans expect from an opener titled "Ascension?"

According to the official network description, Sam and Deeks will continue to recover from May's painful events, which have a "lasting impact on their personal and professional relationships." Elsewhere, the team will search for stolen nuclear weapons and look to avert disaster before it can strike.

Click through photos now from the NCIS: Los Angeles Season 5 premiere and visit TV Fanatic soon after it concludes for a thorough recap and review:

NCIS: Los Angeles season 4 ended with the tragic scene of Deeks and Sam being tortured by Isaak Sidorov after Marcel Janvier betrayed them. Their search for the missing nukes was interrupted with not only their lives at risk, but with Quinn's life literally hanging on the edge.

Deeks went from a high moment in his life when he finally kissed Kensi to the lowest possible when he was being tortured. I caught up with Eric Christian Olsen at the CBS Annual Summer Stars event to ask him about the events of the finale and how those events will play out into the upcoming season....

Densi time!

Since the beginning of NCIS: Los Angeles, there's been an ongoing focus on telling Callen's story. In the 100th episode, Callen found out more about his father and even got a glimpse of a happier time when they were together. 

According to Shane Brennan, the focus will now shift back to developing the story of Kensi and Deeks. In Part 2 of my interview with the show's creator, Brennan, discusses the relationship between Kensi and Deeks. He also teases some of the the other fun stories that will be explored this season...

--------------------------------------

The events of "Descent" and "Ascension" were horrific for the team, yet they seem to have come out stronger because of it. Will both positive and negative repercussions from that case continue to be explored this season?

Shane Brennan: Yeah, absolutely. It's very important when we take a character through a fairly intense emotional situation that you can't forget that. You can't ignore that in future episodes. It has to be there. It's another part of their makeup. It goes into their DNA. 

Particularly for Deeks, who went through that traumatic situation, there are consequences to that. And, even prior to that, that spontaneous kiss that he gave Kensi. They never really got to talk about that before he went through that traumatic situation. So there's a lot yet to be spoken about and through these first 9 or 10 episodes of the season, that's never far away.

The two of them are circling each other and it becomes a problem. This season while we celebrate the 100th episode and we lift another veil off Callen's eyes to reveal his past, it really is kind of the Kensi-Deeks season because of what happened with the kiss, what happened with his trauma, how that affects him plays out into their relationship.

By the 9th or 10th episode, it has some fairly dramatic consequences. And, then we put them both in a situation through the next 8 or so episodes. They are struggling with what happened in the 10th episode and then in the 18th episode there's this pretty powerful and surprising revelation that changes the course of their relationship in a very, very big way. And, it has nothing to do with Dani [Ruah] being pregnant by the way.

We won't be addressing that. Dani's pregnant. Kensi's not. Through the magic of television hopefully no one will notice she's pregnant. There's a series of steps throughout this season that crank up the relationship further and further and further. There's a pretty powerful revelation towards the end of the season that forces them to take stock.

Does that give you the opportunity to show more backstory about how Deeks and Kensi became the people they are today?

There are parts of their backstory that are revealed. More about Kensi than Deeks. I guess of all the -- of Callen, Sam, Deeks and Kensi, we know the least about Deeks because he was the LAPD guy who came to them. He was the late starter in their team. We know he was once a lawyer. We know he's LAPD. We've had a little bit of backstory about him. The fact that he shot his father, but there's much more to reveal about Deeks.

A little of that will be hinted at this season, but that's for a season to come. You said earlier that we are pretty fearless about how we do this, we purposefully went into this relationship so that -- I don't want the audience to start hating them because nothing ever happens. We are giving the audience a big, fun ride this season with these characters and this relationship.

The kiss was unexpected. The audience wasn't expecting that. That's why we did it. What we are revealing this season the audience won't be expecting it and that's why we're gonna do it. We'll keep doing that because that's what makes this relationship fresh in a landscape sometimes where you have these unrequited relationships. The audience can get a little annoyed if you don't move it forward. We're trying to do that in a way that keeps everyone engaged and interested and wanting to know more. This season the audience will get to know more.

I was against Deeks and Kensi hooking up until the very end of last season and it came across as so authentic which sold it to people who were against it.

Yeah. It is. A lot of it goes to how Dani and Eric [Christian Olsen] played it. And, also in the words that were written, but they totally delivered it in a very authentic way. I'm really glad you cast it in those terms because that's what it felt. It felt real. And, that's why we want to keep playing with that relationship.

We can do it in a very authentic way. Life is never as black and white as it can be on television and happy endings are hard to find in relationships and in life. And, I think we can explore their relationship in a very real way. And, certainly that's what we do in this season. We have arced the story out until episode of 18 already and it's a lot of fun and it's very authentic and it feels real.

And, that's really important to achieve that in a show that is an entertaining procedural is what it is yet we still manage to find these very authentic moments for these characters. It's great to be able to do that.

I interviewed Eric this summer and he said he thought the contents of the box would be revealed this summer. I know fans are clamoring to know about the box. Can you confirm that the mystery behind the box will be revealed this season?

I can tell you that later in the season, he takes the box down and puts it on his desk and stands over it and he may or may not open it. I can tell you that.

What else would you like to tease about season 5?

We see Nell out in the field again. She gets to fire her gun in anger. We see her out in the field again later in the season as well. 

There's a little more of the budding romance and fun, nerdy romance between Eric and Nell. And, the nerdy jealousies.

There's some great pairings this season too. We'll have some very interesting partnerships.

We'll be seeing more of Granger. You're gonna see Miguel [Ferrer] in a way that you've never seen him before. We are using his formidable acting abilities this season and people are going to be blown away by him. He's fitted into the show way beyond my hopes and expectations. And, we love writing for Granger and there's a lot for him to do this season.

The other thing we're going to do for the fans that just love the Sam and Callen partnership, we're going to see them go undercover together again. We haven't done a lot of that lately, but there's going to be some very memorable episodes this season where we get to see the two of them doing their banter, doing their undercover thing and just having a lot of fun in the way the series began with them undercover.

The NCIS: Los Angeles unit has been through more in a few months than any team should have to deal with over years.

Despite the hope the Callen found his father and then lost him on the show's 100th episode, there was no concern for how he was handling the death or the information about his real father. The focus of concern shifted back to Deeks and they were on to the next case.

Though, it's not like Callen went out an broke the "Unwritten Rule" like Deeks did, so perhaps that's why both Hetty and Kensi were focused on Deeks' recovery and his "heart."

When Deeks rode up on the bike, I had equally concerned for his well-being and confident that he was healing appropriately. A motorcycle is a dangerous mode of transportation, but it also allows for physical sensations of freedom while riding. The wind, sound, environment would encapsulate Deeks and help him to let go.

Would he have bought the bike if he knew about Hetty's unwritten rule? Probably not. He's pretty scared of her. Though, once he had the bike and enjoyed its therapeutic abilities, he didn't want to let it go. Why would he? Plus, Kensi has a bike. Why should she be any different?

The bike was only a symptom of their concern for Deeks though. Hetty's conversation with him before she even knew about his purchase confirmed that. She had no doubt that he was ready for work, but she worried about his relationship with Kensi. He may not have wanted her to play her "Jedi mind tricks" on him, but she did.

Deeks may have freed his heart some with the kiss and then his honesty with Kensi, but that only created new, unspoken feelings between the two partners. And, it did become a bit of an issue when Kensi shared her concern for Deeks over the bike.

I have mixed feelings about Kensi and her approach to Deeks. She shared that she didn't want him to have the bike because of her belief that it was a reaction to PTSD. While that's a legitimate concern and one that he didn't fully embrace, it did open his eyes a bit. The problem I have is that she stressed their partner relationship as justification for her care and concern.

She knows how he feels about her which made it come across as a way to dodge the bigger issue. They were on a case, so maybe that's justification enough ... though it felt more like putting salt on Deeks' wounded heart. At some point, if she doesn't either acknowledge her own feelings or lack thereof then their partnership is bound to fracture and potentially put both of their lives in danger.

The next few episodes will likely be a relationship minefield that they both will have to carefully navigate or risk being exposed and destroyed. For now, it looks like even though Deeks isn't an official NCIS agent, the bike's gotta go! Hand over the keys, Deeks. At least he enjoyed it while it lasted and if he needs a rush, perhaps Kensi can take him on ride!

The case of the week involving the former Navy officer, William Garrett, and his tech start up company provided for some great character interactions, but that's about it. As soon as the raid involved common thugs and the girlfriend was released, I was sure she was involved. That explained why the abduction took place in a high-profile location and with lots of cameras around.

With the recent national security leaks from contractors, it's scary to think about all the people who have could be threatened into turning over top secret technology to American enemies. At least in this case, William thought to put in a fail-safe to destroy the information. He didn't want to betray his country, but didn't see another option.

The best part of this case was that Nell got out in the field again. Whenever she gets to leave the tech center, she lets loose and we get to see another side of her. With all her dating woes, I couldn't help but feel like she was at dating social when she arrived that the start up. All the guys were leering at her and she soaked it all up. Of course, Eric didn't appreciate it and his appearance cracked me up.

Plus, Nell was carrying a gun. And, she shot it! She looked like a natural with the pistol. She needs to get out of the dark, walls-filled-with-screens room much more often. And, just like Deeks let his feelings for Kensi out, Eric needs to open up to Nell. No more flirting and back-tracking. Just go for it, dude!

NCIS: Los Angeles season 5 started out with three extremely suspenseful, stressful and emotional episodes. This was a good episode that held my attention, but it definitely was back to business as usual from the high intensity episodes that started the season. 

What do you think will happen next between Deeks and Kensi? Should they go back to being partners and ignore what was said? Or do they need to talk about it and move forward? 

Which most likely leads to death: A hacked phone? Sitting in a chair? Or being scared?

While none of them appear on the surface to be killers, according to this week's NCIS: Los Angeles. all three could lead be fatal.

On "Big Brother," a hacked phone was proven to be the most likely. Two team members were killed in a raid that went wrong and a teacher committed suicide all because phones were hacked.

After the opening ambush in NCIS: Los Angeles Season 5 Episode 6, I never would have guessed where the hour was going. It went from looking like a fairly standard case of a mole to something much worse and more complicated. And, the addition of the hacker being a teenage girl added a bit of humor to the otherwise serious situation.

Cindy Chang's a computer genius, but she's also a teenager and acted as such. She used her computer prowess to spy on her classmates with absolutely no reason to think she'd be responsible for anyone being even being hurt let alone killed.

Cindy hacked the "mean girls" at school to find out what they were saying about her, which provided a gateway to their parents' phone and computer data as well. When Matt infiltrated her phone, he gained access to information that he used for nefarious reasons and people died.

The case went in unexpected directions which maintained my interest. Usually, I prefer the character interactions and personal growth in an episode, but that was kept to a minimum. There wasn't any mention of Deeks' issues or either of the potential romantic relationships.

The case was the driving force of the hour and provided for plenty of humorous situations. Though, I'm not sure why Kensi dropped out of going undercover as a substitute teacher at the last moment. It seemed out of character for her to quit and give up like that. If she didn't want to do it, she should have stood her ground and refused from the start.

In the end, it did provide the hilarious "Mr. Valerie Bellridge" moment for Callen, so it all worked out. He kept such a straight face when the student asked him about it. And, then the young girl replying, "That is so cool." Callen had an admirer! Too bad she's too young for him.

After Nell's adventure in the field, Eric got to take the technical lead in this case. He showcased his own computer abilities and even Callen acknowledge how smart he is. Eric doesn't get enough credit for the intel he provides to the team or his computer skills. And, just like Callen, he was hit on by a teenager. Again, too bad she's too young for him!

Overall, this was an enjoyable episode with plenty of highlights.

A few of the funniest moments:

• Deeks and his Walking Workstation. Sitting kills you! "Death by chair." "Suicide by sitting." "Chairs - silent killers."
• Deeks referring to his teammates as puppies.
• Callen's neighbor is blogging about him? Ha!
• When Cindy is brought in for questioning, she believes they are threatening prison for her kneeing Deeks.

• Just for kicking blondie in the gonads? That was self-defense."

  Cindy Chang

  • Permalink: Just for kicking blondie in the gonads? That was self-defense."
  • Added: October 30, 2013

• Sam's dismay at the antics of a teenage girl. Bowling and frozen yogurt!

• I know dying of fright is a real thing. Blah blah blah.

  Nell

  • Permalink: I know dying of fright is a real thing. Blah blah blah.
  • Added: October 30, 2013

• "Is it the guy you said was smarter than you?"

What was the funniest moment? Did you enjoy an episode that focused more on the case than on relationships and personal issues?