S05.E20: Windfall

[Lisin]

When the NCIS: Los Angeles team investigates a case involving a former marine who is being tracked down by members of al Qaeda for embezzling money from Iraq, Hetty assigns Nell to join Deeks in the field. Meanwhile, Eric is given a new partner in Ops.

Original air date 2014-04-08

[riley702]

Hmm, so Kensi hasn't been cleared back to work yet? I'll admit I was kinda hoping they'd jump forward several weeks, so we wouldn't have to wallow in the Kensi trauma, Densi drama too awfully long. Not that I have anything against them. I just think the show works better with explosions, gun fights, car chases and snark, followed by a pithy remark from Hetty. Know your strengths and all. 

[Sabs]

I was surprised that Granger wanted Kensi to jump back in.  I'm glad they didn't draw out Hetty's uncertainty about it.  Looking forward to next week when Kensi and Deeks are back together as partners.  Nell was awesome in the field, but I love how she was so conflicted about it because it hurt Kensi.

[riley702]

Yay for no wallowing! And OMG, I'm really liking Nell. Never thought I'd type that. Densi were cute without being too angsty, Hetty was her inscrutable self, Granger was just... there, and I liked the Callen/Sam camaraderie being back in force. I liked it.

[anna0852]

I think I got my hopes up a little too high for this ep. It just felt like stuff was missing.

Like, we when Kensi was arguing about being kept in Ops-a line about how Nate had cleared her to work wouldn't have felt out of place and would have been nice continuity to when Deeks and Sam had to meet with him.

Or how about some awkwardness of trying to fit back in after five months away. Stuff happened. Callen has a girlfriend. Eric got arrested in his polar bear pajamas. Deeks broke out Sven again. Sam and Deeks actually gang up on Callen from time-to-time. Nell spent more time in the field and got jumped in the boatshed. I'd like to see Kensi trying to get caught up as it were and hearing about some of this stuff. Even it's just a 'what are you talking about' to some in-joke she hasn't heard yet.

And as many posters have stated, Hetty is the one who set this whole thing in motion. That has to be addressed, both with Kensi and the team as a whole. Callen, Sam and Granger were in honest-to-God combat trying to Kensi back and it was clear there was damn good chance they were going to die. Deeks broke his internal morals pretty good when he waterboarded a suspect for information.  Hetty set them all up and needs to apologize at the very least.

Keeping Kensi in Ops accomplished nothing. All it did was agitate her and drive Eric nuts, as well making him work double time. If Kensi has been cleared to work, then she has been cleared to work. She doesn't have the skills to work in Ops.

Liked seeing Nell's conflict at being sent into the field in Kensi's place. It was one thing while Kensi was out of the country but when now that she's back and Nell is clearly taking her place (however temporary it may be) it has to be very awkward. They're friends and of course Nell doesn't want to hurt her friend but she can't refuse orders either. Nicely played by Renee.

[Jaybird]

I have a question about the last scene in this ep, where Deeks says something about partnering w Nell, Kensi punches him, and they do the "there she is" "here I am" lines.  I vaguely recall reading that the line Deeks said and Kensi's punch in response were both improvised.  I think I read it on the late lamented TWOP.  Can anyone confirm that information, and what was the source of it? 

 

I know it's a lot to ask someone to remember 3 1/2 months after the episode aired, but I'd like to know.  Thanks.

[KittenPokerCheater]

Yes, it was.  I believe our source was sam84so I am guessing she can tell us her source?

 

Apologies Anna0852!  You two are my go-to folks for NCIS:  LA.

 

Deeks' smile when he says "and there she is[/b] is adorable.  I want to marry someone who smiles like that.

Edited July 29, 2014 by KittenPokerCheater

[anna0852]

I don't remember posting that, although it sounds kind of familiar. I think Samantha84 is the one that usually digs out this sort of thing. 

[Samantha84]

Hey everyone.

 

Yes. The improvisation started w. Eric's “I was getting a little worried b/c I’m pretty sure Nell was falling in love w. me.” Daniela, in turn, improvised the arm punch. Also the: "And there she is" .. "Here I am". 

 

FYI/FYE: Writers, directors, producers, and crew have been back to work for the last week. Actors start filming 6.01 [Which would air as 6.02] Monday. 

Edited July 30, 2014 by Samantha84

[Jaybird]

Thank you Samantha84.  I'm relieved to know I was not hallucinating that. :-)

 

Do you remember the source of that information (an interview, a tweet, etc.)?

[Samantha84]

You're welcome. Yes, it came from Daniela.