‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ 14×15 Review: “The Other Shoe”

NCIS: Los Angeles 14×15 “The Other Shoe” is this show at its best, pulling from a few different loose threads to make a compelling case with emotional stakes for a few of our series regulars. The return of Whiting, a character that we have never truly liked, but have nonetheless come to appreciate, is a good way to examine both the corruption — and racism — within the police that procedurals are sometimes afraid to touch, her ties to Deeks gives us a great glimpse at Densi as parents, and the drug angle is a nice segway into more of Kilbride’s past.

Ironically, the episode features no Callen — may he still be planning his wedding — and still no mention of the biggest loose thread this show needs to bring home before it comes to a close — Hetty, though there is a Hetty mention. Of course, a lot of these plans were probably put in place long before they knew this was going to be NCIS: Los Angeles‘s last season, so we can give them a little leeway. Not a lot, though. We need answers, not to spend an inordinate amount of time on Killbride’s backstory.

What the show does well, though, works perfectly in NCIS: Los Angeles 14×15 “The Other Shoe.” Even Killbride works well in the way he has always worked, as the grumpy boss looking over everyone’s shoulder. It’s not our favorite dynamic, we always loved Hetty’s style more, but it’s not a horrible one either – especially because he does take less of the focus away from the characters we have invested in for over a decade.

Getting to see Kensi and Deeks as parents is a particular treat during this episode, especially with Deeks trying to be the “strict” parent. Anyone who knows Deeks knows he is the least serious member of the team, and it always seemed like Kensi would have that role covered, but it actually makes a lot of sense to see how Deeks is approaching Rosa vs how Kensi is. And in the end, as always, Kensi and Deeks are the perfect complements for each other, both on the field and at home. We would have taken five more seasons of them figuring out parenting, and maybe even getting to parent another kid – where’s Pilar? – while they’re at it. And yes, there will always be fanfic, but when this show works as well as it did this hour, it’s hard not to mourn what we won’t get.

We won’t get to see what Fatima and Roundtree’s relationship could have been. We won’t get to see Roundtree fighting for that reform that’s very much needed. We won’t get to see Hetty spend this with this family, even if we do get her back. We won’t get Sam find love again. We won’t get to see Callen having a little of the joy he so deserves with Anna, and we won’t get to see that from Anna either. If there’s a couple that’s long overdue for just some calm, quiet times, it’s Callanna.

But there are ways for NCIS: Los Angeles to give us a satisfactory ending. It involves a wedding – one where Hetty needs to be present, and this team as a family, no matter where their paths might diverge in the future. So, even though we won’t get all the rest we, and the characters deserve, let us hope we can at least get that.

Things I think I think:

• The greatest tragedy of this show might be that it’s ending and we never got a “Deeks, M” episode.
• Whiting is back? That’s probably not casual.
• Oh, Rosa has a date. Except it’s not a date. Yet. But Deeks and Kensi are drinking wine already.
• SHE OKAY, BOOMERED HIM?
• That’s having a kid for you.
• I could see Deeks being this parent, but it’s still fun to see Deeks being this parent.
• This scene with Rosa — I honestly could have watched five more seasons of this. I feel robbed.
• Deeks called Killbride?
• The way this ties to Roundtree is nice. I love it when a lot of plot threads come together.
• When is Deeks not on a short leash?
• Fatima and Roundtree remain adorable together.
• I like how Deeks keeps expectations low. “Please, just … don’t kill each other.”
• I get such a kick out of Deeks and Sam working together. But where’s G? Still planning his wedding?
• Sam giving Deeks parenting advice is A+.
• Mama Bear Kensi was also A+.
• “Stay safe”? I envy Kensi´s restraint.
• “A little bigger,” ofc means Sam.
• It was a pretty fun bust.
• Especially Kensi taking down the asshole who came to her house.
• MAN, IT’S WHITING’S KID AND THAT´S THE BEST NOT-SO-SURPRISING TWIST EVER.
• Killbride trying to bond with Sam was …weird.
• But at least it ties well into Killbride’s son returning.

Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS: Los Angeles 14×15 “The Other Shoe”? Share with us in the comments below!

NCIS: Los Angeles airs Sundays on CBS.