Post by phillydi on Apr 4, 2012 11:13:55 GMT 1
PATRIOT ACTS (3 x 20)
This is an exciting episode for me with one of my favorite characters returning to the Mission and his old teammates after a way too long (!) hiatus. Welcome back Peter Cambor! Our favorite Psych Ops was definitely missed! I often speculated if Nate was shuffled off to the Middle East (or where ever he was hiding out) because there was a little too much testosterone going on in the bullpen, especially with the addition of Deeks. But whatever the reason, I’m glad he’s back even if on an interim basis. Tonight Nate gets to use his psych powers not only to play an integral part in this week’s investigation but also to discover that there’s a new shipper relationship going on in Ops with Nell and Eric. (Maybe I should add a Nell/Eric Watch, eh?) Ever since season two in Lockup, when Nate acknowledges that he and Nell have know each other in a past life, fans have been speculating on just what the nature of their relationship could be. Tonight we get to find out.
Patriot Acts was written by Jordana Lewis Jaffe who is taking on her first solo script duties and the episode is directed by the talented Dennis Smith (Rocketman & Standoff). The story revolves around a domestic terrorist and once former Marine who is suspected of planting a chemical bomb in LA. Of course mayhem ensues (couldn’t resist using that phrase) when our team has to work with the FBI, NCIS’ older and unhip sibling, to paraphrase Deeks.
So…. a lot of Boom going on here tonight and from the very first few minutes of the show. Interesting to see Hetty a bit miffed that the team is behind the cue ball in this investigation after the first bomb goes off. Granger is blaming the team again and Callen agrees (well there’s always a first time!). It was fun to see government bureaucracy at its best when they come face to face with the wet behind the ears FBI agents. But wasn’t it great when Nate made his entrance? The look on the team’s collective face was wonderful. It was sweet to see Nate looking around the Mission too…you can tell he’s really missing the place. I think the gang misses his profiling skills including his insight into Nell’s feelings about Eric. But Nell isn’t ready to admit her feelings. Sweet. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Nate so confused! LOL!
Whether it was Sam and Callen, Deeks and Kensi or Nate trying to finding out who was behind the bombing, it was nice to see the dynamics of the team coming together in this episode. Working together the team is able to take it out of the realm of terrorism and into simple revenge. I don’t know if it was Nate or the way the show was written (Jaffe did a great job) but there was a different feel to the show tonight and I really enjoyed the camaraderie on screen again between old friends. It felt really good. Oh, and did I say the show ended with another Boom too? Nice…
Highlights of the Show:
• After the basketball opening scene in the past episode, I didn’t think they could top it…but they did tonight! With Kensi and Nell’s girl’s night out the banter was flying between all the team members and I couldn’t keep up with them! One line was funnier than the last. Brilliant!
• Sam and Callen trying to double talk the newbe FBI agent was so funny. Are these guys morons or what?
• Was that a bit of jealousy on Eric’s face when Nell hugged Nate? Me thinks so…
• Loving Eric’s homage to the Sound of Music!
• Hetty at a monster truck rally? No surprise there….
Best Lines of the Show:
• Deeks: That’s why they call her Henrietta the Hammer.
Hetty: Straight up, Mr. Deeks.
• Nell: I’m going to stop saying Eric now.
Nate: You can run, but I’m already in your head Little Nell…..I still got it!
• Deeks: Did you hear that?
Kensi: Yeah, that was the sound of you changing the subject!
NEW! Callen and Sam Bromance Moments:
• Sam: He knows every pair of her jeans.
Callen: And you don’t know mine?
Sam: I know you got new rims on your Jag
Callen: That was a lucky guess.
Sam: You’re questioning my attention to automotive detail…by the way your front left tire looks about 2 psi low.
Callen: Ok, now you're just showing off!
• Callen: What now?
Sam: That Jag felt a bit more balanced
Callen: It’s in your head....
Sam: Put a little more air in that front tire didn’t you?
Callen: Give it a rest….
Sam: Ah, ha.
Deeks Moments:
• I loved Deeks' smirk to Sam. Taking your life in your hands there Deeks!
• Speaking of Sam and Deeks:
Deeks: That’s inappropriate touching! And I don’t like inappropriate touching and neither does Hetty!!
Sam: Hetty told me to keep you in line. (I don’t know if we’ve seen Sam so playful with Deeks!)
• Deeks played the violin! OMG!
• I bet ECO loved throwing in a reference to the Clippers! So does that mean Deeks likes the Clippers too?
• You almost forget Deeks is still with the LAPD and I enjoyed the references to it in this show especially in the boathouse with Harold (Spartacus over here named his bike Maud!). Enjoyed Deeks being the bad-ass interrogator!
• Deeks mentioned his sister…want to know more!
• Deeks in chaps. Ok, I can die and go to heaven now.
Densi Watch:
• Kensi: I’m training Deeks not to make himself the center of every conversation.
Nate: With pain?
Kensi: Oh, with proven scientific methods.
• Bad-ass Blye needs a little bonding time? More jealousy going on here, I don’t think Deeks likes being left out here. Come on Deeks do you really think she bought that “I should know what my partner’s up to for safety sake” line? Nah!
• Kensi: In that case what’s your stance on chaps?
Deeks: Never on the first date, well almost never. (Look at that smile!)
Although this is a one-off visit for Nate according to Shane Brennan, Nate will return. “Nate will be jetting off to foreign shores at the end of the episode, but fans can be assured that we haven’t seen the last of him,” says Brennan. “Nate remains a much-loved character in the series, and we always look for opportunities to bring him back.” Don’t stay away too long Peter Cambor, we miss ya already!
We’ll see you back here in May for a new NCISLA episode review and in the mean time join me and Sweet Lu next week for In the Bullpen ( http://ncislafan.blogspot.com) a revealing characterization of Sam Hanna and the man behind the Navy Seal.
