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The episode wasn't at all what I expected, and I agree it was less a case and more about the characters and preparation for a continuing case (I guess). Those garage guys were really creepy before we knew they were the killers. I think the death of the Lieutenant and the attache will pull NCIS into the case now (I just hope this isn't going to be the two-hour season finale; I really don't want to spend two hours with this group of killers). I liked switching the partners (liked it when Hunter did it, too). The banter between Sam and Kensi was good (especially her wanting to drive--the Challenger? No way). Deeks made an effort to get to know Hidoko, but I liked her rebuff and her loyalty to Mosley (some folks are unfazed by the Deeks charm, I guess). Callen and Mosley were an interesting pair, and I liked Mosley in this episode. You just know Callen will do everything to get her son back; I just hope he doesn't put himself in harm's way to do it. As for Mosley's career being derailed, maybe her higher ups don't know about it yet. It's been fewer than 10 years, and in real life members of the armed forces or law enforcement or government sometimes have affairs lasting years before anything's known. Maybe this will come back to bite her in the butt. I really like the way the writers are handling Densi this season--putting it on the back burner where it belongs IMO. I got so tired of the two of them last season (for several seasons), I almost called it quits. I'm still hoping they run off and elope and just come back hitched so we can skip the whole wedding fiasco, but I doubt that will happen. If the wedding takes the last 5 minutes and no more, okay--anymore, and it'll be a waste of valuable screen time.

Maybe if the writers didn't focus so much on Densi, we could see more of what's going on in the personal lives of the other characters. I'm glad Densi scenes haven't been the focus this season; they became boring last season.

Then I guess the writer did a good job. It was an awkward scene like it was supposed to be. I think Callen looked pretty uncomfortable, but Callen's quiet, so it's not always easy to know what he's thinking or feeling--nothing like Deeks who's really demonstrative. When Callen and Nikita were at Alex's earlier, they went in for dinner with her and her son. We haven't seen Alex or Nikita since then (I don't think), but Callen's mentioned them, and just cuz we don't see them doesn't mean nothing's going on with the characters. It's not like lots of time can be spent on personal stuff when they also have to solve a case. We don't see a lot that happens in the personal lives of any of the characters. We see more of Densi than any (I'd like to see Sam with his kids), but they're actors and might not always be available. I think there's way more chemistry between Callen and Anna than between Kensi and Deeks, so I like to see her on.

First off, what makes people think Callen IS this open to "this person"? Nikita doesn't live with him and, as far as we know, he's only met Anna a few times (and Alex has met her only once)., and this is after Callen has known them for months--almost (maybe more than) a year. Why wouldn't Callen change? Every other character has changed, and he's changed in other ways: he owns a home, he has a girlfriend. Those aren't small steps, and it's likely that he's opened up to Anna much more than he has to his biological family. And why wouldn't Alex be trusting? She finds out that her brother is a federal agent--obviously with very high clearance--and he vouches for Nikita. And as for "Sunday family dinners," there's no indication that that's going on. People seem to be "seeing" a lot more than the writers have actually shown.

I liked the relationship between Tony and Ziva because it was always under the surface; they never got romantic at work and it wasn't until the end that we really saw the depth of feeling between them (romantic feeling). Their romance was always suggested, never acted upon. That's one thing I don't like about Kensi and Deeks; they remind me of college coeds rather than adults, especially federal agents, Deeks especially (that conversation with Kensi about the grey hair--he's ALREADY well past 30). I don't mind romantic relationships, but they shouldn't drive the stories. I think the original NCIS has done a fairly good job with those by keeping them secondary. That's been the problem with the Kensi-Deeks relationship for me; too many stories have been written FOR that relationship, and this is supposed to be a crime procedural.

You're not alone, but I disagree. I like Mosley's character and I think Nia Long is doing a good job. Mosley is not supposed to be likeable: she's an outsider sent with orders to dismantle the team, she has a chip on her shoulder, she's in charge of a team that distrusts and pretty much dislikes her, and she also has some personal issues that are a problem. As for her putting her hands on her hips, seriously? She could just let them hang down at her side like most of the cast does when they're not holding something--especially since her clothes don't have pockets. I don't find her hands on her hips nearly as annoying as Deeks' tic or Nell's wardrobe. There's always going to be something someone doesn't like about at least one character.

Why does everyone have to be paired up? This isn't Days of Our Lives.

I don't. And it hasn't been such a short time; they connected in season 8. I also think Alex's situation helped--losing her mother, an estranged ex-felon as her child's father, and no in-laws. Why wouldn't she become close to her father? As for Callen, his relationship with Anna has helped him loosen up a bit, and the fact that she's working through the same things with Arkady may have helped him work through his issues with his own dad. Nobody arrested Nikita. If you pay close attention, Nikita was in the U.S. on a special visa; the government simply revoked his visa. Nikita is a Russian citizen, so if Russia gives the okay for him to be exchanged for the Americans--which is probably what happened--and if Nikita does not object or file for asylum (which he apparently didn't in order to protect his own family from enemy action or retribution) then the U.S. government would do it. As for Deeks' legal skills, he didn't know enough to get himself out of jail in season 8. Hetty HAS returned; she and Mosley are not in the same position, so Mosley will continue just as Granger was in his position while Hetty served as Operations Manager. I don't know why people keep confusing Hetty's position with Mosley's position. Talk about a hypocrite. Deeks--the person who murdered his partner, tortured a cleric, and beat a man who was handcuffed--is serving as the "conscience" of the team, especailly Callen? Give me a break!

Agree; I think there's a lot underneath. I actually liked Mosley this episode; she doesn't ooze awe when she meets Hetty. In keeping her emotions under control she reminds me a little of Hetty and Callen (although she's more aloof in an unfriendly/condescending manner and nowhere near as interesting or charismatic). As for the team, I'm wondering if what Mosley means is the team not having partners--there are teams but no "partners" in the actual NCIS--and if team members didn't have regular partners, then they would switch out who they work with as opposed to "breaking" the team up. That way, Hidoko and the other new character I read they're introducing, could be worked into the "team."

Exactly! Having Sec Nav be a woman changes nothing in the plot. As for breaking up the rogue organization, they'll probably need to hire (or re-hire) an operations manager first and handle the daily/weekly/regular cases. They did, however, make a dent in the money-laundering organization which will probably be picked up later this season (as the investment manager guest stars in another episode).

I don't understand your connection between a female SecNav and Hillary, but I think the SecNav in the show is a woman because the SecNav in NCIS is a woman--and the role has nothing to do with actual politics.

That would be SO out of character for Hetty. She never operates like that. You can't change a character because you want to "speed up" the story. Besides, having her out of the way allowed for interaction between Mosley and the team--without Hetty running interference. I liked that. I think the wedding would be the LAST thing she would be thinking about (I know I haven't been thinking about it--and I'm not in her situation). lol The scenes between Callen and Hetty were my favorite--no words necessary--but I love his heavy sigh in the helicopter at the end. It's all good.

Don't think this is a spoiler because it's on a website: according to TV Line, there will be ANOTHER new female recurring character when the show returns March 11 named Cassie who was Green Beret. Anybody else think the men are the show are becoming an endangered species? With the return of Hetty, that will be 6 women - 4 men (and if "recurring" means the same for Cassie as Hidoko, that means every week).

Callen has a girlfriend, so if you mean friends as in a romantic way, no. Why would anyone think that? Weren't they on their coms? It's her first name; Hidoko is her last name. I wouldn't think Hidoko's character has anything to do with Deeks. ECO has taken a ton of vacation days, so maybe you're right--maybe he has another gig lined up.

Watched the sneak for Sunday's show. Why is Deeks so silly? He's like a TV version of Jim Carrey instead of an LAPD detective.

Tunell put the calendar on Twitter and see that Callen's sister is making an appearance. Looks as if some of his family will be involved in an episode; I was beginning to think they'd all died or moved away. Hope the writers don't screw the pooch and actually write a decent episode (the most recent have been pathetic).

Agree. It seems weird that we've seen more of Guy--the man who's sleeping with Roberta (who isn't a regular)--than Anna, Callen's girlfriend. I mean, I don't care WHO Roberta sleeps with. What became of his dad? Maybe they can't hire the actors for an episode, but why doesn't he even talk about them? The only time he has (I think) was in Fool Me Twice when he told Joelle he had his own family to look after.

Since high school: Levis or Lees, straight leg (no bell, boot, or skinny), 5-pocket, plain (no sequins, stitching, rivets, appliques, or rips), no other colors. Casual are washed; work are dark (more "professional")--the only difference. Boring but comfortable - like Sam and his shirts.

agree - on the fence about Eric (he has such little screen time and I'd wear shorts to work if I could) and Sam's shirt (why change what's comfortable? I've worn jeans since high school) like IMDB but someone missed the fact that two of those killed in the bar were Marines (or ex-Marines) with gang ties Thought the episode pretty much sucked. Stupid story - too unbelievable (yea, I know it's a TV show, but a hard ass killer is talked out of killing her main target by a complete stranger in, like 5 minutes?). Seemed like an excuse to let Daniela speak Portuguese (isn't there an app for that?) Would have been better if Callen had taken Paula (whatever her name was) out, then she and Kensi could have bonded while she died (more drama than talking her to death) Kensi's getting so "earnest" she's starting to get boring. And why is Mosley always taking Callen and Sam as her "arm candy"? Don't they have more important things to do?

The team's "holier-than-thou" attitude? So when did one of the team sleep with a "target" when there was a spouse and child involved? When did one of the team work for a rogue organization and target another federal agent who was NOT accused of a crime? When she was being shot at, that had nothing to do with Callen--and he didn't have to tell her what he did even then, but he did. No, she didn't have it right that he was upset because he didn't figure it out. Sure, that bothered him but I'm guessing not because he has an ego but maybe because he called off their relationship because he didn't want to put her in danger (she had said she couldn't be with him because of his work) and then he found out that it was all a lie, that she could easily handle the danger. Obviously, he had very strong feelings for her--maybe even loved her. Callen doesn't get involved with women easily (unlike Deeks who was "involved" with multiple women before meeting Kensi), so finding out that Joelle's feelings for him were completely false must have hurt. He's not "the great and powerful Callen." He IS a character who thinks about those around hm--including Joelle--more than he thinks about himself which is the exact opposite of what she did with her husband and child. As for Callen's ego, he never hesitates to acknowledge his team members and their role or appreciate their work. The same folks who criticize Callen and comment about his ego are often the same people who defend Deeks and his killing of his partner. Talk about a double standard. (No drinks thrown.)

I get it--you like Deeks. There's a big difference between what Sam did in trying to talk Michelle out of the Sidorov assignment and Deeks--Michelle wasn't an active CIA agent--her joining the operation was voluntary, and they had children to consider--and no one was in immediate danger; Kensi is an active agent--this is her job, she has no children, and there were MILLIONS in immediate danger. And seriously, if Sam had wanted to drown Snyder, he would have. That act hardly compares to Deeks torturing the cleric in Spoils of War. When Sam breaks out of jail, he puts no one at risk and he doesn't interfere with the operation. I won't even talk about Ascension because that was just the dumbest ending of an episode ever (glad Military has improved and is no longer so melodramatic). It's not that Sam doesn't have emotions, but when he's on a case, he doesn't put the team at risk or break the law. As LAPD Deeks killed his partner--an act he thinks (or knows) was unjustified (otherwise why cover it up?), and in Payback, he wanted to storm the church without waiting for Callen and Sam, and he attacked Sabatino--who was handcuffed--because he thought he knew where Kensi was (it turned out he didn't, but Sabatino did help them find her). Deeks is a hothead who probably shouldn't be anywhere near a gun if Kensi is in danger. You think he's agent material; I don't.

Totally not! When Sam went after Tahir, he kept his cool--took actions to keep his team and Sabatino safe and certainly was NOT hysterical or frantic. Compared to Deeks in several episodes, Sam was cool as a cucumber. Deeks lost his cool in Spoils of War, Payback, and now (not to mention unwilling to take a shot when he could have). He's totally uncool whenever Kensi's in danger and not at all ready to be an agent. Deeks is a mess in those situations. Also, as dangerous as it was for Michelle, Sam didn't beg her not to join the Sidorov case--even though she wasn't actually an active CIA agent. Compare that to Deeks in The Silo--begging Kensi to leave and let somebody else do the work. Not even close.

Agree. He can't seem to keep his emotions - and his actions - under control when Kensi's in danger. Not good for an agent (not even good for a cop).

Oh, Lord, I hope not! I don't mind if they get married, but if it happens, I hope it's low key - like McGee's on NCIS and takes place at the end of an episode - and the writes don't make a big deal out of it. This isn't a soap opera (although sometimes episodes from past seasons have felt like it).

Why would fanatics believe the FBI?