The Positively Positive

Chris O’Donnell and Daniela Ruah in NCIS:Los Angeles, season1, episode 7 “Pushback”. Image from www.daemonstv.com

In this episode we get another delicious glimpse into Callen’s background and history. While investigating a case of a woman shot to death, they come to find out how she’s connected to Callen and the shooting that nearly killed him six months ago.

Highlights….

The look Callen gave Sam when he saw him making tea, and then the way his face fell when Hetty asked why if he couldn’t taste the paper from his sad little tea bag.

Laughing at Vance giving the cutoff signal at the end of his call to Callen. I mean who was he signaling? It looked like he was in his office. Couldn’t he just have turned off the feed himself?

Nate folding his super tall self to sit down at Hetty’s teeny, tiny little workstation to look at Callen’s file.

Okay wait. Callen’s driving a Mercedes now? What happened to the new Impala he was supposed to have? I’m confused.

Kensi asking Sam how long he and Callen were married. LOL! She’s right, those two totally act like they’re married sometimes.

Kensi and Nate theorizing that maybe Hetty is the redactor. Ooh…I think they’re on to something there.

Sympathizing now with people who live in towns where tv shows are supposed to be set. I can’t help but to keep noticing little things. Like the fact that some photos shot at 5:47pm were as bright as midday, despite the fact that it gets dark at around 5:30pm these days in LA. That plus the fact that if Sam and Callen were driving to the Arkady’s house in Studio City there’s no way they could’ve ended up at the Farmer’s Market that fast. LOL.

Sam acting drunk to distract the bodyguards. So freaking hilarious. Especially his description of “Jolene”.

Finding out that Callen learned Russion when he was a kid and not as part of his job. Huh, that was a surprise.

Callen realizing that the girl he tried to avoid on the beach when he was talking with Gibbs, was someone he considered a little sister. Also that she was trying to avenge him as she thought he was dead. So sad.

Hetty and Nate discussing Callen and how working on this case might not be good for him, obviously they both care a lot about him.

Finding out that Callen changed foster homes so often as a kid, except for the one where he had a “little sister”.

Callen going back to his old foster house, the moment he walked in the door I said to myself that this would be his home now. I hope that’s true. Seeing him walk through the place and revisiting all the old memories was nice. The poor guy never had much, that house must have been like heaven for him. I think he deserves it.

Overall a great episode that nicely wrapped up a storyline that dated all the way back to its premiere on the original NCIS, solving the mystery of who shot Callen and why.

More NCIS: Los Angeles….
NCIS:LA – Season 1, episode 1 “Identity”
NCIS: LA – Season 1, episode 2 “The Only Easy Day”
NCIS: LA – Season 1, episode 3 “Predator”
NCIS: LA – Season 1, episode 4 “Search and Destroy”
NCIS: LA – Season 1, episode 5 “Killshot”
NCIS: LA – Season 1, episode 6 “Keepin’ It Real”

Director Vance and Team Gibbs work together on a case in NCIS, season 7, episode 7 “Endgame”. Image from www.daemonstv.com

Returning from her visit on NCIS:LA, Vance’s longtime foe is in D.C. and on an apparent killing spree. Team Gibbs is called in to solve the mystery of the woman that Vance has been chasing for most of his career. Along the way, McGee is given a little romance and Tony and Ziva continue to do the dance they do so well.

Highlights….

The way Gibbs said “Get out of his desk.” to Tony – like he’s had to say it a thousand times and it’s become a routine.

Ducky addressing Vance as “Jethro” before he saw who it was. Who can blame him? It’s not like Vance ever goes to the crime scene.

Tony giving McGee the most ridiculous dating advice I’ve ever heard. Squirt guns? Madonna? Really??

The looks on Tony and McGee’s faces right before they dove out of the way of the shotgun toting woman. Hiliarious!

Tony and McGee arguing over who was going to uncuff the crazy nurse. Oh yeah, they were both scared of her, no doubt about it.

Kai leaving a hair tied in a bow. Man, that must’ve been hard to do.

Vance’s wife refusing to leave his side. The more I see her, the more I dig Vance’s wife. She’s awesome.

The way McGee walked off the elevator after spending some time with his new girl and the fact that Tony said he was proud of him…..and a little jealous.

Okay whoa, I’m with Ziva. Agent Dunham does “clean up nice”. I’m digging that accent of his too.

Tony following Ziva into the women’s room. Ha! Turn about is fair play, Zee-Vah.

Ziva telling Tony to stop being such a big brother, but then admitting that she wasn’t really interested in Dunham as she’d had enough of men like him in her life. Hmmm…seems to me she could’ve been talking about Tony too. After all he’s a field agent too. Maybe this will put an end to all the Tiva stuff?

Then again, when Ziva said that “brute force is very intriguing.” – and when Tony asked who she was talking about, she gave Tony a very interesting look. Oh, how this show likes to tease us.

Abby asking McGee about his new girlfriend and then talking about Eric from the LA office. Seems like she was trying to hint that she liked Eric but she looked almost sad when McGee walked out. Interesting…

Gibbs once again saying a whole hell of a lot without opening his mouth. The way he looked at Vance when the shooting of Pak Su Ji came on the tv (right after he told Vance she would be coming for the guy) was awesome. The “I told you so” was there but of course Gibbs didn’t actually have to come out and say it.

McGee thinking that White Heat and White Nights were the same film. LOL.

Tony telling McGee that the copy room door locks from the inside. Guess he would know, right?

Okay I know she turns out to be a bad girl but before I knew that I thought that kiss between McGee and his girlfriend in the elevator was really sweet.

“No Caf Pow!” – OMG that’s awesome! They made a caffeine-free version. That rocks so hard.

Well since I saw the preview of this ep, I knew that Amanda was gonna get killed. I was actually sad about that as I thought they shouldn’t have shown us the clip. I felt like I was “spoiled” for the whole episode. I figured she’d get shot because the sniper was after him and he’d be sad…yadda, yadda, yadda. Turns out I was way wrong, which was great! I had no idea she would turn out to be bad guy and was actually shot because Kai was protecting McGee. Man, what an awesome twist! Sorry I ever doubted you, show.

When Vance hesitated to shoot Kai, that his wife did it instead. That can’t have been easy but I really admire her for it. It’s not like she’s a trained agent but she did what she had to do to save her husband.

The final voiceover by McGee. I could be wrong but I don’t think he’s ever done that. In fact, I can’t recall a time that any character has done it. It was a very powerful way to end the episode.

Also, I have to say that the whole storyline with McGee I thought really showed how his character is maturing. A couple years ago it’s a storyline I would’ve figured they’d put on Tony or maybe Gibbs. The fact that they gave it to McGee was great. He’s really growing up.

Overall what was ostensibly a Vance episode also turned out to be a bit of a turning point for McGee as well.

More NCIS….
NCIS Season7 Promo
NCIS, Season 7, episode 1 “Truth or Consequences”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 2 “Reunion”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 3 “The Inside Man”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 4 “Good Cop, Bad Cop”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 5 “Code of Conduct”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 6 “Outlaws and In-Laws”

Gibbs’ handiwork is evidence in a shooting in NCIS, season 7, episode 6 “Outlaws and In-Laws”. Image from www.daemonstv.com

Once again, Mike Franks returns to D.C. and once again, trouble follows him. This time, Franks is caught up in a war with his in-laws. Trying to protect his “girls”, he attempts to cover up his daughter in law’s shooting. As always, Gibbs and the team see through the deception and in the end, Franks and his extended family come to an understanding and a grandmother finally gets to meet her granddaughter for the first time.

Highlights….

Finding out that Gibbs’ boats do stay intact when they leave the basement. Personally I thought that maybe he took them apart and started over. So much for that theory.

Ziva knowing the Constitution better than Tony……actually she knows it better than I do, too. What can I say? High School was a long time ago.

Gibbs giving the Kelly, named after his daughter, to his goddaughter. So sweet.

Abby’s enthusiasm over having the Kelly all to herself so she can figure out how Gibbs got it out of the basement.

Ducky comparing Franks and Gibbs to Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday. Seems like a pretty accurate description actually.

The fact that McGee seems to now be a translator of Tony-isms for Ziva. Whenever she can’t understand Tony’s ramblings, she looks to McGee and he explains it. So cute.

Getting a good look at Gibbs’ house, at a room other than the basement. Looks like Gibbs like to bike…and iron. LOL.

Franks nearly shooting Tony when he walked through the door of Gibbs’ home. Considering the fact that the last time the two of them were there, Franks knocked Tony out, I guess that was an improvement.

Ziva telling Franks that she and Tony have been instructed to “sit on the baby”……God, I hope she meant “babysit”.

Tony getting suspicious about the story Franks and Leyla were telling about what happened the day of the shooting. Just in the way he started asking her questions, I knew something was up and figured maybe she was the one who had done the shooting.

Gibbs telling the story about one of the first cases that he and Franks worked on, about the boy and the birdshot.

Leyla’s mother and Franks in interrogation, discussing their differences. Wow, and I thought normal relationships with in-laws were hard. How many take place behind (what I assume is) bulletproof glass?

One of the mercs that attack Tony and Ziva turning out to be Corporal Werth. Love the fact that Tony touched his nose when he figured it out, I’m sure it’s hard to forget someone who broke your nose a couple years ago.

The way Gibbs smiled when Tony made the crack at Colonel Bell. He seemed to get a big kick out of that.

The final scene, Franks and Shada sitting on his porch watching their grandchild play in the sand. Awesome.

Overall a good episode, featuring lots of references to the unusual forms that family can take – Gibbs and his team being the best example of all.

More NCIS….
NCIS, Season 7, episode 1 “Truth or Consequences”

NCIS, Season 7, episode 2 “Reunion”

NCIS, Season 7, episode 3 “The Inside Man”

NCIS, Season 7, episode 4 “Good Cop, Bad Cop”

NCIS, Season 7, episode 5 “Code of Conduct”

Adam Jamal Craig, LL Cool J, Chris O’Donnell and Daniela Ruah in NCIS: Los Angeles, season 1, episode 5 “Killshot”

Not one, but two special guests from the original NCIS showed up in this episode. Director Vance came to help the team track down an old enemy of his and though she only helped spoke via phone, Abby helped too. 

Highlights….

Sam suggesting that Callen live on a boat. Since Callen likes to move a lot, I think that’s an awesome idea.

Nate catching Dom filming him with his cell phone. Aw, the probie still has lots to learn.

The team using the huge touch screen to look at all the victim’s documents. So cool.

Hetty catching Nate reading a comic book.

Sam continuing to try and find a place that Callen would like to live. I forget, is Callen staying with Sam? That could explain why he’s so anxious to “help” him out.

As soon as I saw the shooter get in the car I knew it was a woman.

Vance showing up and giving them the lowdown on the shooter and Sam and Callen figuring out that he’s dealt with the woman before.

The whole conversation between Vance and Hetty. Nice to see that these two have apparently been friends for a long time and that Hetty can get the truth out of him about the woman.

Abby! Yay! Though I’m confused. Why was she not in her lab? Cuz that wasn’t it. I wonder if they can’t use the same sets since it seems like Vance never calls from MTAC, despite the fact that he uses that for video conferences on NCIS.

Eric calling Vance “Leon” and quickly realizing that was a mistake. I was kind of surprised when Abby called him that, but I guess she’s earned it. Eric apparently has not.

Sam spotting the assassin on the roof from nothing more than a quick flash.

Kelsi using Nate as a block so that she could read the lips of the couple in the safe house.

Seeing Vance get to act a little bit like an agent, working on catching his old foe.

Dom figuring out from the security system that the second victim knew her killer. That was pretty slick.

The team now having to prove that their original assassin didn’t kill the second victim.

Dom going undercover as a cop. That’s pretty funny when you think about it. An agent pretending to be a cop.

The team going into action to protect the victim’s brother (and possible suspect).

Nate correctly guessing that Vance sent the victim out as bait. Sneaky Leon, very sneaky.

Vance showing up and saying that the assassin must be dead. Ha! I’m with Nate, there’s no way Vance actually believes that. Oh boy…I wonder if we’ve just found this season “La Grenoille”?

After all that everyone has been through, all of them completely wigging out when they find out that Dom lost one of Hetty’s camera buttons. LOL!

Overall another good episode that has the LA team chasing a quarry that I think may just end up showing up again.

More NCIS:Los Angeles…..

NCIS:LA – Season 1, episode 1 “Identity”

NCIS: LA – Season 1, episode 2 “The Only Easy Day”

NCIS: LA – Season 1, episode 3 “Predator”

NCIS: LA – Season 1, episode 4 “Search and Destroy”

LL Cool J and Chris O’Donnell in NCIS: Los Angeles, Season 1, episode 4 “Search and Destroy”. Image from www.daemonstv.com

Another really good episode that had not only great action but some laugh out loud funny stuff in it. I can’t get enough of watching Sam and Callen together. These two macho men can act like such children at times and when they do, it makes me giggle. The rest of the team is awesome too and the whole cast contributes to making this a show to watch.

This week’s episode had the team working to track down a man who turns out to have a lot in common with Callen. As we are introduced to Flynn, we find out how he got to be where he is and in doing so, see more about who Callen is as well. The more I learn about Callen, the more curious I am about him and can’t wait to find out more.

Highlights….

Very exciting opening sequence done at LAX.

Eric’s happiness over getting to 1,000 Facebook friends and the entire conversation that came of it. Totally cracked me up as I’m on pretty much every one of the websites they mentioned.

Hetty deciding that Callen’s new color scheme for his wardrobe is black, due to the numerous bloodstains he seems to pick up.

Director Vance turning out to be Eric’s 500^th Facebook friend. Awesome.

Callen’s reaction as they he listened to the description of Flynn’s rough upbringing.

Sam quoting Spock…..and it leading them to the suspect. Nice!

Callen turning rather viciously on Nate when he tried to point out that Flynn’s childhood could produce major psychological problems.

Finding out that Callen apparently grew up in LA. Interesting. I never think of people actually being raised in this town.

Sam’s description of his first tat and how it sounded suspiciously like another important milestone in a young man’s life.

Dom getting scared when the cat came out of the door. Reminds me of a similar moment when a cat jumped out and spooked Tony on NCIS. Wonder if that was done on purpose?

Awesome line from Sam (after Eric tells him that “friending” is the lingo for asking someone to be your friend on Facebook): “What’s the lingo for when someone smacks you with a flipflop?”. Now there’s a threat I’ve never heard before. I think Sam would do it too, even if he had to go hunt for a flip flop.

The interesting covers Sam and Callen come up with when they need to talk to someone without giving away who they really are.

Third mention of Facebook. Okay, so did they pay for that or what?

Sam and Callen eating Blowpops on the stakeout totally reminded me that I need to pick some up for the trick or treat’ers on Halloween.

This exchange about one of  Sam’s Blowpop wrapper creations. Callen: Is that a frog? .  Sam: It’s a swan.  Callen: from where, Chernobyl?

The entire conversation in the car that followed after that had me laughing hysterically. Callen always seems to push Sam’s buttons right up to the point where he threatens him with bodily harm.

Kensi taking out the security guys coming in on their turf by slamming their car with a battering ram and setting off the airbags. She is my hero.

Sam saying that back in the day he was pretty money at Donkeykong. Hey, me too. Though I rocked at Space Invaders too.

Hetty talking to Callen about clothing and how damaged goods can be more valuable because of their unique qualities…..when he knew she was really talking about him.

Callen trying to play a bad boy gamer. He got the bad boy part okay but needed a little help from his friends when it came to the gamer part.

Wait. A geek and a gearhead…..who can also cook? They’ve just described my dream man.

The sight of Callen’s car. How come he can’t drive THAT one all the time? It was Gorgeous!

The team using the billboard across the street to show the video. Very clever.

Callen letting Flynn go, knowing that a man so similar to him would never want to live the rest of his life in protective custody. The way they discussed how they do what they do so that others can live an idyllic life was so sad.

Hetty finding Sam’s origami swan in the end…..and calling it a duck. LOL!

Overall a great episode, giving us yet another peek into Callen’s complicated past.

More NCIS: Los Angeles…

NCIS:LA – Season 1, episode 1 “Identity”

NCIS: LA – Season 1, episode 2 “The Only Easy Day”

NCIS: LA – Season 1, episode 3 “Predator”