‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ 12×17 Review: “Through the Looking Glass”

NCIS: Los Angeles 12×17 “Through the Looking Glass” is the third episode in a row where I just really want to sit here and write a love letter to Densi, and to what this show has not just done with them as a couple, but allowed them to become. I watch a lot of TV, and the truth is that Densi has become the standard I judge all other TV OTPs on, procedural or not. This episode is a good example of why, and the best part is that it’s not even trying.

This episode, after all, features a case that doesn’t personally involve Densi, even if the threat of Kessler is predictably dialed up, in time for the season finale. The case is even interesting, with a fun twist at the end, even if it does have too much Joelle for my liking. It’s certainly not my favorite case ever, but it’s not the worst either. But the way NCIS: Los Angeles 12×17 “Through the Looking Glass” gives Densi the time to talk through their issues as the case is going on, to disagree, to show their frustrations and then to come together in a way that shows the best of both of them …well, that feels like a rare unicorn in a TV landscape that only seems to understand couples in the context of what drama it can milk from them.

Well, that, or perpetually place them in the background, happiness guaranteed only by the fact that they are never really given the spotlight.

That’s not the case here. And, yes there is drama. NCIS: Los Angeles has pulled absolutely no punches with this infertility storyline. At this point, I’m pretty sure viewers are as done with this storyline as Deeks and Kensi feel, and honestly …that’s a good thing. That’s real. NCIS: Los Angeles has allowed it to be long and frustrating, to go from moments when Kensi is optimistic to moments when Deeks is optimistic, to moments where you can see it’s getting to them both. It hasn’t shied away from the responsibility women feel, and it somehow presented that without making Kensi feel like the bad guy for struggling with these things.

That’s one of the things this show does better than most, if I’m being honest. Deeks is a rare character on TV, a man who’s allowed to be soft more than once every two seasons, and as much as that’s someone to be commended, the fact that they don’t feel the need to make Kensi into a stereotypical woman with no feelings to compensate is not just outstanding, storytelling wise, it’s also uplifting. The true genius of this couple is that even without ever being able to truly step into their kick-ass shoes, we always understand them. We always see things from their POV.

NCIS: Los Angeles 12×17 “Through the Looking Glass” goes even further, by introducing this concept that TV rarely ever grasps, that love, a stable relationship, a person who cares about you … isn’t always the solution to everything. Sometimes things are just hard, and sometimes you need to talk to a professional. Kensi doesn’t make the decision to do so in this hour, but that Deeks suggests it, and that she, despite brushing him off, internalizes what he’s saying enough to make the decision she makes at the end of the episode, that’s also huge and groundbreaking and again, I say this because it is actually so rare on TV, real.

Same as that conversation they have near the end of the episode, one that isn’t a solution, just a commitment to continue working through stuff, together. Because that’s all they can do. That’s all they have done for all these years, not just as a couple, but since they first became partners. That’s how they’ve made it through, and how they will continue to make it. As someone who has been in a committed relationship for about as long as Kensi and Deeks have, it feels good to see a TV show that actually respects what that means, and that actually understands that what we want to see is just this …two people choosing to walk hand in hand through life, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse.

I LOVE THEIR LOVE, OKAY? OKAY.

Things I think I think:

• “You want to talk about this before we go inside?” WE LOVE ONE SUPPORTIVE PARTNER/HUSBAND.
• “I am so sick of being hopeful and crashing every time.” Daniela is getting to once again showcase how good of a dramatic actress she is, and Kensi made my heart break a couple of times this hour.
• Ah, so he was pardoned by the FORMER PRESIDENT.
• Sam telling Deeks to “watch her six” is kinda cute, because it’s very Sam. He isn’t saying it cause he thinks Kensi can’t watch her own back. But this is how Mama Bear Sam operates with the people he loves.
• Kensi always drives. I love that Fatima always does, too.
• I still do not care about Joelle one iota.
• Also, how is Joelle back and we still haven’t seen Anna again? HOW?
• “Well, he scares me.” This is one of my favorite things about Deeks, pink sweatshirt jokes aside. This show has never been scared to allow him to be soft.
• Deeks suggesting therapy gave me a little feeling. Okay, a BIG feeling.
• Nice of you to stalk, Admiral Kilbride.
• “Don’t want Anna to become jealous”?
• Look, I don’t know what the point of this is …but I DO NOT LIKE IT.
• “Hold onto her, Callen.” Yeah, do that Callen.
• The funny thing about Roundtree’s “How come he never asks how I’m doing?” is that I asked the same thing.
• NOT A GOOD TIME FOR THE DAD JOKE “JOKE” CALLEN.
• Save me from Callen and Joelle, please.
• Callen’s all like lower your weapons and Deeks does it right away and Sam’s like, I make my own decisions OKAY?
• “Baby, I don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed in you in my whole entire life.”
• The way she said “thank you for being you” I’M OKAY.

Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS: Los Angeles 12×17 “Through the Looking Glass”? Share with us in the comments below!

NCIS: Los Angeles airs Sundays on CBS.