‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ 14×14 Review: “Shame”

NCIS: Los Angeles 14×14 “Shame” is about how far we’ve come, and in many ways, how far we still have to go. But in this hour, the show focuses on the good, on uplifting the LGBTQ+ community, and on sending an unequivocal message, on CBS, in a show that deals with the military and is populated by characters who can be read as conservative by some. And that message is — there’s no shame in being who you are, and loving who you love.

It’s hard to believe we are here, and yet in many ways, it’s not hard to believe this show would go there, this franchise would go there. NCIS: Hawai’i has done a great job with Kacy, a couple that isn’t just a secondary ship crafted to check a box, but the main ship of the show. But NCIS: Los Angeles has always been very straight, and in its first few years, it was also very white, outside of Sam. It’s gotten better, and in this hour it handles Kam’s relationship with a woman with the grace of a show that isn’t just treating diversity as something that will give them brownie points.

But it’s not just Sam, it’s everyone on the team, in their own way. It’s the way this team isn’t just Kensi and Deeks, Sam and Callen, but also Fatima and Roundtree, Shyla and Kilbride. It’s Kensi and Deeks adopting Rosa and doing their best to understand her culture instead of erasing it. And in this hour it’s putting the unequivocal progressive messaging in the mouth of an older white man who reads as Republican.

Is it enough? Of course not. In some ways, it’s the bare minimum. But when you haven’t gotten even that before, well …it means something. Especially on network TV, on these big franchise shows that are watched by a lot of people who could probably stand to hear these kinds of messages.

The other side of this episode is Callana, and what it means for them to be taking the step of wedding planning. Knowing this is the final season is bittersweet, especially for fans of this couple. We haven’t gotten nearly enough of them, and though we are likely to get a wedding, it feels like the little moments of happiness — the banter, the chance for them to just be happy together, is the biggest loss of this cancellation. And though we will take the happily ever after they deserve, the what could have been will always haunt us.

NCIS: Los Angeles 14×14 “Shame” is, ironically, a great example of why this show deserved more than it got. That will always rankle. But that doesn’t mean we cannot enjoy what we got and what it means that we’re getting it as we prepare to say goodbye for good. And this episode, even without the typical team banter, feels like the kind to rewatch.

Things I think I think:

• “It’s about the mentality,” lol. Yeah, I could see it coming too, Roundtree.
• So nice to see the Directed by: Daniela Ruah.
• Nice to see Kam too.
• I adore Kensi teasing Fatima. I’m gonna cry I already miss them.
• How hard is it to keep track of the fact that Lucy was on the USS Ronald Reagan not the USS Allegiance?
• Also, NCIS: Honolulu? Like, that might be how it’s internally known, but just for the wink-wink can’t they just say Hawai’i?
• The deadpan way Shyla tells Kilbride things sometimes will never not amuse me.
• Your future wife knows you, that’s what she’s talking about, G.
• “Please stop talking is right.”
• She could have taken Fatima?
• Does anyone do the sympathy face better than Eric Christian Olsen?
• How am I to go on without Kensi Blye in my life?
• Anna throwing Callen under the bridge was hilarious.
• Arkady as the officiant is …scary.
• Well, at least the questionnaire broke the ice.
• Deeks was called away to a deposition in the middle of a case?
• The episode took a turn that got me, I’m not gonna lie.
• It’s so hard to feel like you have to hide who you are.
• THE GUYS BONDING.
• I mean, I’m not shocked this show is going at this subject in a really progressive manner, but in a way I am. Or pleased. Maybe I am pleased.
• Even Kilbride!
• And Sam’s conversation with Kam…I’m not emotional, I’m not.

Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS: Los Angeles 14×14 “Shame”? Share with us in the comments below!

NCIS: Los Angeles airs Sundays on CBS.