NCIS: Los Angeles – The team grows

My first post for CliqueClack was to recommend first year shows last season that people should get caught up on over the summer and one of those shows was NCIS: Los Angeles. I loved the action this show had that other criminal procedurals were lacking. And, the season premiere, “Human Traffic,” did not disappoint in the action category. The show picked up, presumably, where it left off last season. Callen was at the cemetery and he took off after the photographer taking his picture. This scene was visually amazing to watch. Both Callen and the photographer were running like crazy and making what seemed to be impossible movements and jumps. And, then … Callen wakes up … with Hetty there.

This opening sequence reflected what the season is going to be about, I hope. Callen was a troubled soul during the first season, lost, and by the end of the season, we realize it is because he has no sense of identity. That began to change in the season one finale. This dream chase scene was more than just him trying to find or remember the photographer’s face, it was about him trying to find himself. He was chasing himself. They were both wearing the same clothes, moved in the same way, the dream was actually about him finding his own face.

I watch this procedural show over others for the action, but also because of the characters. I find them all intriguing, but none more than Callen. The slow reveal of his background and watching him grow personally really engaged me. The first two episodes this season have me hooked even more. I was surprised when Hetty knew about his dreams and even more surprised that Callen had talked to Nate about them.

I absolutely loved that Hetty went ahead and bought a house for Callen and even better that she did it with his own money. All he had to do was sign. I didn’t think he would do it, that was, until it became clear that she bought him the only house he felt loved and secure. It was his favorite foster home. This was a huge turning point for him and it will be interesting to watch him adjust to having a permanent home.

While the cases in the two premiere episodes were not related, the theme of identity carried over. In “Black Widow,” it was Kensi that struggled with her cover story when she met up with a childhood friend. I am looking forward to taking the ride with the characters and watching them grow both personally and professionally. And, the action scenes too, of course!

• “I don’t take kindly to being tailed.” – Hetty
  “Well, I’m more of a wing man than a tail man.” – Callen
• It looks like with Deeks calling Hetty instead of the LAPD when he was in trouble and then being saved by Callen, Sam and Kensi, Deeks is now really part of the team.
• When Callen walked into the warehouse as Nathan Wilson and Nathan Wilson was already there — I got a little nervous for my man, G.
• “I’m impressed. John would have needed a new pair of skivvies. Welcome to the team, Nathan, it was a test. You passed.” – The mark pretending to be Wilson
• Would you let people from an alarm company in your house in street clothes? And, then let one of them play video games with your son, while chatting it up with the other? Didn’t buy that part of the storyline; not from a stay-at-home mom and definitely not from a former operative.
• Wow — Hetty has a surprisingly large number of cover identities. Loved seeing all the Driver’s Licenses and Passports.
• One cryptic storyline covered both episodes — where did Hetty send Nathan? Is it related to the foster home addresses he found in the finale last season? Why did he need his passport? I’m very interested to see where this storyline goes next.

Categories: | Episode Reviews | Features | General | NCIS: Los Angeles | TV Shows |

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