NCIS: Los Angeles 12×12 “Can’t Take My Yes Off You” brings back Anna, and throws something like the millionth wrench in the Callen and Anna relationship, because of course, we can’t have nice things, or if we can (Deeks and Kensi are still mostly good, so here’s to that, don’t ruin that, please), we can’t have too many of those. This is TV, after all!
Callen and Anna have always been a somewhat controversial couple, for reasons that have always escaped me. A lot of people love them, a lot of people hate them, and very few people seem to exist in the middle. I, however, mostly existed there, leaning towards love, because I just mostly enjoy this show and I have never found anything to truly dislike about Anna.
But this whole thing …it officially became too much a long time ago, and then they kept going with it, “twist after twist after twist” and guys …you’ve lost me. It’s exhausting. Anna has been around since season six, guys. Since season 6. You’d think seven seasons in we could have figured out this relationship with Callen. You’d think seven seasons in we would have figured out communication, and trust. It took Kensi and Deeks less, and back in the day, it felt like it took them foreveeeer.
A part of me feels like this might be it, the last one, and then we can get the marriage proposal, we can get Callen some happiness, we can relax. But the truth is, I’m not sure the show knows what to do with Anna without this mess, and a part of me is worried they aren’t exactly looking to find out.
Despite my Anna/Callen issues, however, the rest of the relationships on this show – this episode – work well enough to make this a pretty enjoyable hour. As always, the Densi of it all is treated with care, and a dose of reality other couples on TV never get. They’ve gotten what truly are groundbreaking storylines over and over again, and here we are, again, joining them as they embark on a journey TV often ignores – that of trying to start a family and finding that things just don’t always magically happen because you want them to.
Even in the middle of that, this is about so much more than Densi, and that’s why my favorite parts of this episode were the moments given to two relationships who don’t always get the screentime they deserve – Nell and Kensi, and Sam and Deeks.
Ironically, even as Deeks and Kensi go through scary, intense stuff, it’s Deeks who provides some perspective for Sam as he tries to deal with his now adult daughter. This is a role that could have been easily left to Callen, and I’m super glad the show decided to go for Deeks in this case, because you can see that, even though he didn’t share with Sam what’s going on, just the fact that Sam thinks he might one day make a good father …that was all the reassurance Deeks needs.
On the flip side we got Nell and Kensi, both at their best and most honest. Kensi feels like pushing through, because she’s Kensi, she’s a superwoman, and yet in this episode she takes a step back because that’s the right choice, for her, and for the team. And Nell, who has been her friend more than anything else, throughout the past decade or so, is there to be the one person Kensi confides in, and the one person keeping her honest when Deeks isn’t around.
We all need many things in life, and romantic relationships are important, yes. Hopefully Anna and Callen’s can finally find some greener pastures when the show returns from yet another break. But in this episode, it wasn’t about romance, it was about friendship. We all get by with a little help from our friends, after all.
Things I think I think:
- Me at the guys tailing Callen: Oh, how cute.
- Densi are cute and their bathroom is super cute.
- I also really appreciate a) the consistency with Deeks’ fear of needles, and his explanation about how doing it to Kensi is actually worse.
- Not to mention this storyline. I truly appreciate this storyline, because we never ever get to see it, and it’s such a common thing that we should absolutely feel like we can talk about.
- “You trust me?”/”You know I do” was everything.
- And then “I’m always glad it’s you” straight up murdered me.
- SAM SINGS IN THE SHOWER!
- I’ve really loved having Kam around. I remember when she was just a little kid and I feel old, but I’ve enjoyed having her around.
- Nell is back! And, of course, we get no explanation as to where she was.
- And no Eric, again.
- Nothing concerning about Hetty’s email, nah. All good here.
- I have a lot more things to say in this review so I can’t focus on how much I love Densi, but guys, I really love Densi. They might be my favorite OTP on TV right now, and like, for the past many, many years.
- But, I will say, I really do appreciate Sam and Deeks together. And considering their history, it means a lot that Sam is talking to Deeks about Kam. Michelle would be proud.
- “Could you fast forward to the point?”
- Deeks has some good advice for Sam.
- And when Sam said “some day you’re gonna make a great father” my heart grew like three sizes.
- I like Kam’s boyfriend.
- We haven’t gotten enough of Nell and Kensi lately, and I’m glad the episode took a moment to give them an emotional scene together. They’re the only substantial female friendship on this show, and I’d love to see them rely on each other a bit more.
- When Anna says “I’m sorry Callen, but this was my problem to solve”? That’s the problem. Her problems are supposed to be his problems.
- Joelle too! Oh yay. I wish I cared.
- ALL OF CALLEN’S GIRLFRIENDS ARE HERE!
- She almost looks like she doesn’t mind the handcuffs.
- A finger. OF COURSE.
- TO BE CONTINUED… is my villain origin story.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS: Los Angeles 12×12 “Can’t Take My Yes Off You”? Share with us in the comments below!
NCIS: Los Angeles airs Sundays on CBS.
Wholeheartedly agree. Very well written.