NCIS: Los Angeles 14×18 “Sensu Lato” is a much better episode than “Maybe Today,” with a lot more focus on furthering characters and relationships. It’s still, however, an episode that feels like something is missing — and not just because Chris O’Donnell’s Grisha Callen is literally missing — but because there seems to be no end in sight for the biggest questions we really need this show to answer before they call it a day.
Of course, this is a procedural, sometimes there is no setup, but we also only have four episodes to go, so I shouldn’t be here fearing we won’t get any Hetty resolution. I, of course, hope that’s not the case, and the fact that we are getting a two-hour final episode would certainly seem to point towards the show taking time to wrap things up right, but at this point, some caution is necessary.
All that aside, though, NCIS: Los Angeles 14×18 “Sensu Lato” does a really good job at teamwork, and an even better job at Densi — two things the show has always done pretty well. Of course, a TV show can be more than one outstanding ship and family feels, but a lot of procedurals struggle to get even that, and NCIS: Los Angeles always had it kinda easy. The chemistry was there, the setup was perfect, and the rest was just about sitting back and taking advantage of the magic.
There isn’t much more in the episode — the question of Sam maybe being the Acting Supervisor is brought up, as is Roundtree’s future, but neither of those storylines have a real resolution. The hour is mostly about the case, bugs and Densi. As someone who started watching this show, and at times, stayed, because of Densi, that’s certainly not a bad thing. I’m on the record as saying Densi is one of the best couples on TV, and certainly a good reason to watch an episode of TV.
It’s especially great because it’s the obvious next step in a relationship we have followed from reluctant partners to this …two people who have now built a family together but who want to make sure they don’t lose the spark, the magic that took us (and them) to this moment. Not many TV couples give us great partners-to-lovers, few give us that plus a great buildup to an actual wedding, and to get to see Densi do not just that, but also move on to starting a family and adjusting to what that means for the two of them feels not just amazing as a fan of their relationship, it also feels groundbreaking for TV.
But at this point, the show cannot just rely on the things that work — and they do work as well as they always have — because we need answers if we’re going to look back on anything but those things favorably. I will always have Densi, no matter how this show ends, and I will always be able to cherish that. Whether I can cherish other things in the show in the same way, as a full and satisfying journey, depends on the next few episodes.
Things I think I think:
- Densi working out together is such a nice, well, I wouldn’t say throwback and they haven’t stopped, but it does remind me of the early days of their partnership — and relationship.
- Look, I’m with Kensi, you two need time alone together.
- “We don’t need romance, we’re married.” Man, Deeks, do you want to die?
- Also, Kensi not just getting mad and storming off but engaging in a conversation about it? I love it.
- Callen is gone and it doesn’t even seem to be Hetty-related and THERE’S NOT ENOUGH TIME LEFT.
- I swear, if Hetty isn’t back for the wedding, I will throw hands.
- I can see Sam thinking he wouldn’t be good as the Acting Supervisor …but he would be.
- Like, I really, really appreciate the Densi storyline and what this episode sets up for Roundtree and even Sam, but I’m now very concerned we’re getting no real Hetty resolution.
- Again, nothing about Deeks being THIS parent surprises me, but it is kinda hilarious. Also, it’s something Kensi needs to push back on a little more, I think.
- “I never want to lose touch with being us.”
- How are Kensi and Deeks still so bad at lying at this point?
- It can never be easy, can it?
- The last Densi scene is going on my Top Densi scenes list, and thankfully, fourteen seasons in, that’s a long list.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS: Los Angeles 14×18 “Sensu Lato”? Share with us in the comments below!
NCIS: Los Angeles airs Sundays on CBS.
Right after reading the press release for this dumb episode, I knew it was going to be an eyeroller. Sam and Callen aren’t the types that would ever last long behind a desk full time (which yeah, is what Hetty’s job is), and plus, they’re both still working together in the 1st part of the finale (per the only photo released right now by CBS), so I knew inside of me of how that offer was really going to go. (and seriously, can’t the Admiral just full blown admit that he doesn’t think Hetty will ever come home? He was dumb enough to do this with Nell at the end of Season 12, did he really think it’d be different this time around?!)
Honestly, This show is just so bad at hyping up someone’s possible retirement in press releases! Yeah, there was ‘talk’ of possible future scenarios, but that’s all it was, Talk! It didn’t end with anyone ultimately deciding to leave, and given that there’s still a few episodes left, it’s gonna stay that way. (I also don’t think anyone will actually really leave, yeah, they’ll more then likely get fun things to do outside of work, but that’ll be it.)
Hearing of how old school Densi acted in this episode, that was the couple I loved before their personal woes took over the whole show! But sadly with me, 1 last episode of them being romantic is just not enough with me. Especially since they act so ridiculous as parents!
At least that was the final filler episode. The next 1 looks to be the 1 that’ll bring everything fill circle with Callen, and hopefully will lead to Hetty being able to come home! (and it’d be even better if a brand new photo of her was released in these next 2 weeks!
There won’t be a wrap-up to the Hetty storyline & she won’t be at the wedding of Callen & Anna according to Gemmill. Densi fans have gotten almost everything they’ve wished for since Gemmill became showrunner & for them to worry that the other storylines haven’t gotten enough attention now seems almost funny. I don’t dislike Densi, but I think the show hasn’t been nearly as good since so much time has been spent telling their story & so little on the stories of the other characters. There’s only so much time in a season. As a Callen fan, I’ve been disappointed in the show for awhile.
1 other thing: I sure hope Hetty gets to have a long, stern talk with the Admiral. She’s really the only person who can take care of this team in a kind, non snarly way.
The Densi scenes were good, but the writers have always done good by Densi. Densi got three proposals, an entire episode for their wedding, lots of scenes about trying to start a family, a teenager to foster so they can be parents. No other characters have been given even half the time Densi’s been given. Katherine, Sam’s love interest disappeared without a word. We haven’t seen Raymond since early in the season. Callen and Anna haven’t had a serious conversation about their wedding or their future yet without other people involved (like the silly wedding planner). NCISLA used to be a true ensemble show. It hasn’t been that for a few seasons.
I’m really confident Hetty will return in time, but in the scenario that RSG was actually lying to us the whole time again, I’ll also be mad along with you.
For those still cynically convinced that Hetty won’t show up:
Gemmil never actually said that she wouldn’t come back. He said that ‘there will be a wrap up to the Syria mission in ways the fans can be excited over.’. Do I really know what that means? Still no. Do I hate having to trust that he may mean bringing her home even though he’s lied a lot in the past? Absolutely! But I don’t really have a choice in that now. But he never actually said that she wouldn’t come home. That’s a real fact!
A few weeks ago, that charity Every Day Action had an auction for props of the show. 1 of the things being given away were autographed scripts signed by the cast. I heard from someone who is close to the charity say that Linda only signed the scripts to episodes that she was in. And, her name was on the scripts for BOTH parts of the series finale!
I say that’s a pretty big sign that she’ll indeed show up. SoIi’d advise not being so cynical about Hetty not coming home in time. Because I think the producers could see the huge amount of outrage they’d get if they didn’t get her home in time for the wedding.