Sans Voir (3X 23,24)

[phillydi]

I have to admit I haven’t been too excited about reviewing the final episode of NCISLA, Sans Voir. With all this talk of death and dying, I wondered who was going to pay attention to the actual storyline and which main characters would be killed off first. Fans on all the social media sites have been speculating which series regular might meet their demise ever since Shane Brennan leaked out the possibility of an explosive season finale. Even Eric Christian Olsen on E! Online said: "That character is gunning for Callen and revenge. It's become like Usual Suspects, it's a game of cat and mouse, and he's playing with all sorts of characters. And deaths! People die. There are catastrophic consequences to some of the actions that the characters choose." So now that the big night is here will we actually lose a series regular or will it be a grand ruse or at the very lease an innovative plot twist? And we’ve all gotten use to waiting until next season for an answer to these types of questions, haven't we?

Traditionally Brennan has written the first and final show of the season and tonight two hour season finale is no different. Gil Grant has written part one. The directing duties were shared by John Peter Sousakis and Terrance O’Hara. There is no surprise that The Chameleon is back; manipulating and pulling the strings in this story of revenge and deadly mind games. We knew after his introduction early this season that this criminal mastermind would be back to finish what he started in The Crimeleon. Christopher Lambert reprises his role as Janvier and we get to see what new twists and turns he puts the NCISLA team through this time. Brennan calls the Chameleon ‘brazen’ which is a term you may use on a naughty little kid but I agree with Granger that the man is pure evil.

The team is called in to help Mike Renko whose cover may be blown. Great to see Brian Avers back on screen again as Renko even if it was for a short time. Unfortunately, I had a feeling that Renko was going to to die. Hetty is blaming the team and Granger as well, but I think she is really blaming herself. It’s the first time (I believe) we have ever seen Hetty cry….there is sadness in NCISLA land tonight.




So who’s killing all the Mayfields? Callen finally connects the dots after they realize that the dead have been shot in the head. Yes, it's the Chameleon and Callen’s worse fears have returned. But as the first hour closes in we are stunned as the second member of the NCISLA family is blown away by Janvier! Ok, Hunter wasn’t our most favorite character but I wouldn’t wish that ending on anyone! It seems Hetty has a habit of picking up strays like Hunter and Callen and raising them to grow up to become federal agents. Interesting hobby, don’t you think?

Really enjoyed the game of chest and all the strategic moves that went back and forth between Callen and Janvier. Of course, what is a NCISLA show without an explosion? Tonight is no exception and it’s a BIG ONE!

I really didn’t expect this amazing ending either. Looking back over the episode, there were clues scattered all over like a trail of bread crumbs. Has Callen finally lost it? After coming through the other side of the Romanian incident, I guess the manipulation of the Chameleon was just too much for him. Not even Sam or Hetty couldn't stop him. Hard to see them both so impotent as he makes the decision to kill Janvier. Will Hetty lose Callen now, too?

Brennan mentioned that the finale is really about Callen and Hetty and how they react to what is happening all around them. The show certainly does come down to the future of these two characters as we begin season four. I guess we’ll just have to wait through a long summer before we find out the answers to all these questions.

Show Highlights:

• Deeks does Reike! Why does that not surprise me? Now we just got to get the rest of the team on board.

• Enjoyed Deeks trying to teach Kensi how to shoot. I think he may have deserved that shot in the chest!

• Deeks wanting to stay with Kensi in the hospital was wonderful…always protecting her.

• What can you say about the acting chop of Linda Hunt? She was inspirational and exceptional and commanded the screen every time she had a scene. Amazing lady!

• I have to say Christopher Lambert was also extraordinary tonight as well. He’s so good at being creepy. Great acting all around!

• The explosion at the warehouse was the biggest Boom yet! Deeks and Kensi flying out in front of the explosion was amazing. All the Densi fanfic writers out there were loving every moment! LOL! So good to see Sam rounding the corner of that building too. Whoo!

• Beautiful conversation between Callen and Hetty about Hunter. So much shared. I thought we were going to see Callen cry for the first time too. Had to laugh: ECO on Twitter called Hetty a liar because she doesn’t have a favorite agent. We all know Deeks is and will always be her favorite! No question about it!

• Deeks… shut up! The LOL line of the night goes the second time to Sam!

• Just love a man who can shoot and then kick a door down. Ah, Deeks! We love ya!

As we wonder what will await us in season four, we look back at some of the highlights of a very satisfying and illuminating year. We found out more about Callen’s family and Hetty’s involvement with his parents. We were introduced to Sam’s family and Deeks found out it wasn’t always easy being Sam’s partner. Kensi’s back story was revealed and we met her mother and found out the reason behind her father’s murder. Deeks became comfortable with being the new kid on the block and earned the respect of the rest of team and the admiration of his partner. We introduced a new character with Owen Granger and said goodbye to two old ones. And who could forget Nell and Eric? So much bubbling beneath the surface between those two…it will be interesting to see if love eventually blossoms. And despite the anxiety and concern over our favorite characters and how they will fare after this cliff hanger, I can’t wait to see where season four will take us. It all comes down to chemistry according to Brennan: “"This group of people gels like no other I've worked with. The chemistry you see onscreen is the chemistry they have offscreen," he says. No matter what’s in store… you know it will always be fun. See you back here again in September for NCISLA Rewind!

What did you think of the final episode? How are they going to get Callen out of this mess? Any ideas? Why not share them below!

[Sweet Lu]

Another great review. This episode was explosive in more ways than one. The big boom with my two favorite people flying through the air would have been more shocking if they hadn't leaked it in the promos. But seeing how close they came to the actual explosion made me do a rewind several times. Amazing work. It really did look like ECO and Danni doing the stunt, but I would be very surprised if it were. Too close for comfort no matter who it was.

I was sorry to see Renko go, but I never warmed up to Hunter, although her death was shocking. I think we all would have felt more if they had revealed that she had come from foster care and that Hetty had raised her before revealing it in this episode. It was too late by then. It would have made her more human and caused us to care a little more for her as a character.

There were a couple of short cute bits with K and D, but this was such a convoluted episode, it was hard to get them in. The gun range was great and Deeks wanting to stay with Kens at the hospital was sweet. Seeing Deeks all banged up after the explosion was well done and heart wrenching, and I loved how Deeks got to blow the door in. What can I say, I love the guy.

As for the ending... I have no idea what Brennan has in mind for the continuing story line in the season 4 opener. I know he had to write it before he wrote part 2 of last nights finale, but how he gets Callen out of this tough spot I don't know or what it will mean for the team in the long term. I do think Chris O'Donnell did a super job last night. His emotions were all over the place and right out in the open for all to see, which is rare. I shouldn't have been surprised that Hetty resigned again, but I was. I wonder if she is doing that so she can help Callen get out of his mess, without the boundaries imposed by NCIS. I see a future of Granger in charge for the first few episodes of next season, like they did with Hunter at the beginning of this season.

Sorry we have to wait so long to find out what happens...Oh well, time to start reading and writing fan fiction to get us through the long, hot summer.

Hang in there all...
Sweet Lu

[phillydi]

Thanks Sweet Lu: I agree with your comments on Hunter. Too little too late I guess. There was one thing the Chamleon said that I found interesting. He was able to pull Renko, Hunter and Callen into his web because he knew their weaknesses. Would love to know how and what he figured out about them all.

Deeks was great wasn't he? So many great scenes to add to the list of why we love the man.

[ncisvermont]

I also agree that this was a mixed bag when it comes to a series finale. I think last season's finale was a lot more exciting. However, there were definitely some things that I loved about this season's finale. I am just really not sure how Callen gets out of this situation next season. Is this a ploy to get him undercover somewhere? I guess we will just have to wait, won't we?

I loved Callen and the Chameleon's game of chess. They had some very intense boat shed interrogation scenes. As much as I love the action (guns blazing, buildings blowing up, etc..), I also love the mental aspect of this show. Reminded me also of "Usual Suspects"... BTW, if you haven't seen this movie, I would HIGHLY recommend it.

I also cringed when Callen finally saw Hunter secured in the car and suddenly realized what was going to happen. His facial expression made that scene. I think a lot of people don't realize how great these NCISLA actors/actresses are. It is one thing to pull a trigger on camera, but it is a completely different thing getting the correct emotions for the scene to show on their faces. Along with the correct dialog and body language. Same thing when Callen was trying to decide to let him go or take care of him one and for all. Chris (along with everyone else) did an amazing job on this season finale. Some scenes still give me the chills after watching them many times over.

I think this episode had a bunch of very small occurrences happen that really said a lot...

- Sam's face after Callen shoots the Chameleon was heartbreaking. You could just see the realization that their partnership just changed dramatically in an instant.

- Hetty's face when she hears from Kensi about Renko. Wow, does she just confirm the fact that she is a super awesome actress that can pretty much do anything that Shane asks of her. So much anguish in her face when she realizes that she just lost her 3rd agent under her watch.

- Callen and Granger having it out over the fact that they were letting the Chameleon go after all he did to the agency. I was actually wondering if G was going to lose it and beat Granger to a pulp... maybe next season?

Deeks related:

- Deeks and Sam doing Reiki in the bullpen. I guess if Sam did that to me, I would probably wouldn't do anything about it also!

- I also loved seeing Deeks wield the shotgun (keys to the condo). Good to know that he is proficient in lots of tactical squad situations. Guess he doesn't need to pick a door lock if he has one of those shotguns handy!

- "Does anyone smell the proverbial rat?"

- When Deeks asked Hetty (meekly... I might add) if he could stay with Kensi at the hospital and was denied. The look on his face was so sad.

Densi related:

- I was actually expecting a nice foot stomp by Kensi at the firing range. But the elbow to the chest probably hurt just as much, if not more! Ouch!

- Watching Kensi and Deeks run out of the building before it blows up was very intense. I re-watched that scene so many times and it still amazes me that both Daniela and Eric's stunt doubles made it out alive. Unless the explosion was done with CGI (which I don't believe it was), it looked like both stunt doubles were going to be sore after that scene. Just glad that both made it out with no serious injury! But it was nice to see that they also didn't make it out unscathed (Deeks upper arm cut, Sam's nose and ear bleeding).

- Deeks asking Kensi if she wants to talk about Renko and having Kensi stopping that conversation before it even got off the ground. Then later when he was trying to use his comedy to lighten the situation at the motel and once again being stopped by Kensi, you could see his frustration at not being able to help her out. However, we actually got a "Thank You Deeks" which caught me by surprise. Don't think we would have gotten that statement out of Kensi a season ago!

I guess with so much Densi being put on screen with Neighborhood Watch, I wasn't expecting very much for these two episodes.

Now the long summer looms ahead of us with only re-runs to satisfy us. Can't wait until Season 4!