NCIS LA Episode Summary and Analysis : 5x08 Fallout

The episode can be directly compared with Season 4 Collateral Episode written by Cheo Hodari Coker, which is also a story about Hetty's past catching up with her. In that episode also, Hetty and Granger are saved by the Hetty's team. The big difference though in Season 4 episode is that Hetty does not look vulnerable and yet sensing the danger for herself and her team, instead takes refuge by leaving OSP alongside leaving a clue for the team where to find her. In this episode Season 5 episode, Joseph C Wilson's Hetty is not vulnerable perceptibly as she should have come out per the storyline, but seems regretful of what happened in the past. Very unlike in Collateral where she is proud to accept to Granger that she did not choose herself her life and instead life chose her, and that given a choice she would have done the same again what she had done in the past. She tells Granger that night is young and they can get faded away. In contrast; it is clear that she regrets her action in Fallout episode, and yet what is that she is regretting about is not brought forth and just thrown out at our faces as if we need to gulp it down and just digest the senseless ensuing action.

What Fallout could be remembered for story-wise is that it is first of the Trilogy of Densi Ship setting to Sail. If any reader is randomly wondering what is the trilogy reference. It is me making that reference. Fallout episode is about Densi banter becoming an actual flirtation and interested involvement in each other before all the others (everyone seeing that), the next episode Recovery can be called as Dating Phase and the third episode Frozen Lake is where officially Deeks and Kensi call themselves as Boyfriend and Girlfriend.

In this story, Joey Wilson shows Deeks as relaxed and more and more immersed into Kensi. And is unabashed about how he says it or what others think of it. You might wonder, nothing new about it, the Bullpen already knows it. But what is slightly different is Deeks standing close to Kensi in Ops room, he is trying to make his point by pushing her through his shoulder when in the field talking about something going on between them personally. What comes across is that Deeks is more and more engaging himself with Kensi in physical manner and Kensi does not mind it at all. It is clear to him that she is not minding his increasing liberties he is taking with regards to the personal space defined between them as partners and it is getting blurred somewhere. Deeks is crossing the line and Kensi is allowing him to do. And Fern is back.

Episode	5x8 - Fallout	Mission: Let’s save Hetty coz CIA loves to blame someone always. http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/67162909419/fallout-lets-save-hetty It was not the best of the episodes this season. The plotline of the episode was too weak for me to call it impressive on dramatic, logical and emotional subtelties that NCIS LA hugely is. Penchant for Russia and Cold war never ends.
Writer	Joseph C Wilson	Joseph C Wilson - Lover of Explosions, Dramatic Action Chases, Fights and Getaways. He lives up to those expectations though explosion was not part of this episode. Joey is also expert at writing personal stories around Team Dynamics with special focus on one team member who is vulnerable between them all and how the partners and teams reach out to him/her with protective instincts. This was there. Joey also understands best Sam and Deeks as characters, which he did in this episode. True to his grip on the male characters, Joey Wilson made a good parley of banter and emotions between Sam, Callen and Deeks....the Building thing for kids, the Relaxation time with drinks and the Germ Phobia for Deeks; and finally Sam-Callen and Deeks-Kensi partnership (can't leave the other alone no matter how risky and wrong it looks) and their love for Hetty was spot on. So much that those emotions can actually be their fallout. And he repeated the scene of Hetty and Nell “undercover” ops that he used previously in Personal Episode of Season 2. This time vulnerability of Hetty(the recurrent theme of Joey Wilson’s stories for the characters), though a credible subject came out weak in convincing me. Hetty was far more emotionally convincing in “Absolution” where she feels a certain guilt there, just like this time she was determined to make her wrong right. That is my only grudge.
Director	Diana C Valentine	The shot of Callen and Sam’s backward falling/jumping out of the window;while shooting the men in front and falling down on the the truck below, along with Sam and Callen’s Subway Track rescue of Kelvin C Griffin was great.
Episode Summary	Nuclear Detection Devices Installation Sites Data stolen for LA County is stolen from Department of Energy	A man from Hetty’s past; Kelvin C Griffin; who was working on Nuclear Detection Project and was suspected of helping US enemies and who had to be let gone from service because of Hetty’s perception on his destructive life habits rather than unproven links to him sabotaging the project comes back to haunt Hetty. Granger suspects that he is out to seek his vengeance on Hetty for running the investigation and ruining his career and Hetty maintains that it was not the case as he got dismissed for his own reasons. But Hetty in her own mind is clear that in the past she had to let go of Kelvin Griffin due to lack of evidence, but now when it is repeated, she cannot let him go. She is personally vested in the case to take her 2nd chance back. Unfortunately it is too late for her to do that and stands a chance to be blamed after all and can be end of her career, but as usual her excellent team saves her career and the Los Angeles County. What was disappointing though is Hetty failing to explain her team what she thinks of the case and her as usual refraining to work in team. She employs Nell to get information on Kelvin and so becomes back-up for Eric onsite, which ofcourse helps her get close to hideout location of the “Other Guy” employed by the Russians and how the map operates. However I am still unable to understand how is that Kelvin Griffin is able to guide Russians on Nuclear Detection scenarios. Was he just an information provider and monitoring the test scenario of checking the response time of US Agencies towards perceived Nuclear threat ? I could neither understand Kelvin’s extent of involvement and could not enjoy the wild-good chase of our Agents until they piece together with Hetty’s find what they should be actually looking for and what action they should prioritize in regards to Granger’s reveal on Hetty and Kelvin association.
NCIS Personnel Highlights	Its time of disapproving or appreciating Sam in the Bullpen. He builds shelfs for his kids at the house and Callen and Deeks would rather have him give the contract to a professional so that he can relax with Margaritas and Mojitos which Bachelors like Callen and Deeks would love to do. Kensi however appreciates Sam’s personal care for building stuff for his kids. Me too liked Sam for doing that.	We know a bit more of family man Sam who would love to save money and forego his relaxing time for his family. The bachelors that Callen and Deeks in comparison are lazy sorts. Even though Sam gets the same salary as Callen and has a family to feed, he still is able to save enough to collect checks. Wow! a common ground for Callen and Deeks. Bachelors, Single who prefer hiring professionals as against being DIY Project guys, watching the work, relaxing and sipping Margaritas and Mojitos. http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/67164016925/callen-and-deeks-wow-would-love-to-see-an Deeks is not made fun of by Sam and Callen when he uses his detecting skills in the Ops room. But Kensi tries to pull his leg by calling him a Germ Phobic person when he cannot be called one looking at the state of his house-keeping. Which Deeks does not lose a chance to get back at her that her housekeeping skills are worser than anyone. Eric is not shy to show off his desktop image if him and Nell. He is also not afraid of asking Hetty why she is being Backup and what’s making the case so personal for her. Granger is as annoying as he is at all times. Hetty for some reason is too silent. And Team saves Hetty’s Ass (Careerwise) by risking their jobs- repeat plots. But Hetty on the field impressed me, though her gun was bigger than her. http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/67163700076/granger-deserves-this
Ops Manager/s	Hetty Lange and bugged by Owen Granger on the side as her AD.	This episode is close to what we had in Season 4 Collateral, where Hetty and Granger both as CIA Operatives life is in danger. The whole team is out there to protect her. But Henrietta Lange and Granger were much more impressive in previous season’s Collateral to me. As explained in the episode story above it is close to Hetty as the episode progresses. However, the story does not touch our emotional chord at all. Joey Wilson made Hetty tad too weak and under the weather; and made Granger grow a lot taller unnecessarily. I would have liked Hetty showing her cheeky sense of humour while she was still apprehensive of her past catching up with her. Hetty as the character was far more impressive with humour intact in Season 2 episodes when her past came to threaten her and her team rescued her in Absolution and Deliverance episodes or in Season 4 Episode Collateral (all just involving her and not anything to do with her involvement in Callen’s story). Obviously Joey Wilson does not know Hetty as Shane B, Scott Jemmill and Frank Military know her or may be Joey Wilson wanted her to look vulnernable. But this is such a contrast to CH Coker’s Eric chanting about Hetty-”Her Kung Fu is strong and her Magic is Powerful” in Collateral. The best representation of Hetty actually for me was in Ambush in Season 1 by Lindsay Sturman. Too bad Lindsay doesn’t write anymore. Seeing Hetty in that episode with her towering personality and her ability to take on Director Vance; and comparing her on these later episodes of current days, it seems somewhere Hetty is just becoming a fixture to the team than being a character by herself and what she is capable of. Hetty's representation in this episode is what made me crave for more. And to be fair to Joey Wilson, since she was personal about the case, I should say her investigative skills on the field were on full display. He made her effortlessly find out what that thing on the table was with all those pins, by being patiently meticulous to go about checking behind the books in the book case there; without resorting to any code breaking logic as employed by Eric or brainstorming as employed by Callen. Sometimes, just the plain old simple way of hard detection skills in a practical manner give you the answers you need. And that was Hetty on the field. Hetty's instincts were sharp, but she was vulnerable beyond my belief and could not digest that Granger's veiled threats were being registered by her. Maybe I am wrong, but its the fault of NCIS LA previous episodic representation of Hetty! She was shown all along to take care of herself quite well and would never allow anyone to talk to her in that manner and now my expectations forced to be marked down. Shane Brenner said in Season Promos that we shall see an emotional stress even for Hetty this season. Probably it is. But the writers need to build the credibility slowly….like Joey Wilson could have made Hetty reveal a little of her emotional side to the viewers a tleast in terms of expressions and monologues.
Bull Pen Partnership -1	Callen and Sam (Scallen-Bromance)	Its their episode as much as the story tries to show as belonging to Hetty. Callen is leading the team. Callen and Sam are doing the action scenes. Finding the second burglar, investigating the houses, hideouts, chasing Kelvin Griffin from the park to Subway and rescuing from the tracks as a train is coming and finally confiscating their own intelligence from Russians in their premises with that falling shots, its all them. Sam gets emotional and gives Callen a hug as he realizes that he almost lost Callen to the train. The shot of Callen and Sam’s backward falling/jumping out of the window; while shooting the men in front and falling down on the the truck below, along with Sam and Callen’s Subway Track rescue of Kelvin C Griffin was just great. Treats to watch. Check out the gifs. The Action http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/67339484081 http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/67163095281/rides-here
Bull Pen Partnership -2	Kensi and Deeks (Densi Romance)	Just the banter in this episode. Not much. Deeks geeky knowledge - He would kiss the Monkey of Outbreak rather than use payphone. Such a wuss! GermPhobe! And Deeks is actually raising a brow to Eric that “he is still talking” Wow!!! Deeks got promoted and passed on his position to Eric! haha!!! Developments : Kensi and Deeks increasingly comfortable with each other before all the others and between themselves. Deeks : Fell down and broke my coccyx. I have got a scar. You wanna see it ? Densi - discussing Germphobia and housekeeping mess they are and Nell lifts her eyes. Deeks : We still should take the shower. (And Kensi does not say anything.) The twinkle in Deeks eyes as he teases Kensi throughout the episode is worth noting and each time, Kensi just doesn’t say anything. In the final rescue - Fern is back as Deeks calls Kensi in undercover as Fern. And Kensi uses the same note that Deeks dropped on her regarding his reaction to earthquakes in season 2. These gifs explain it better. The humour and fun. http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/67161435867/that-one-time-deeks-offered-to-show-kensi-his http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/67164871128 http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/67160156488 http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/67161606095/caskettdensi-am-i-the-only-one-who-associates http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/67161283396/what-was-going-on-there-deeks-says-that-and http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/67160869320/one-of-the-hottest-note-of-fallout-episode http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/67160669153/the-1st-scene-is-deekss-comments-on-kensis
Ops Room Partnership	Eric and Nell (Neric ?)	The team is separated midway by Hetty. Nell is asked to check Kelvin C Griffin’s file by Hetty for “her own eyes only” and as Priority number One. Beep -Repeat of Personal episode in Season 2, another Joey Wilson story and my personal favourite. Eric steps out to site with Hetty being his backup partner. Lovely start as we see a bit of never seen personal time between Eric and Hetty, but not so much of Hetty’s discerning attention on Eric is visible as much as Hetty is known to show for Callen, Deeks or Nell. I would love to see more serious conversations between Eric and Hetty and Eric actually reading Hetty between the lines. Was happy to see Eric ask Hetty if she is suggesting that Nell is more intelligent than him. :) These gifs show the Ops room bonding with Ops Manager http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/67164756802/drawlila68-hetty-and-eric-like-a-mother-and-a http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/67164598604/that-time-when-hetty-backs-up-eric http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/67164257238/toobusywatching-ncis-los-angeles-fallout http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/67163364289/the-mission Eric and Nell are cute to look though and so is Eric’s penchant for Whistling. Others have lovely tease-time with Eric. http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/67165104700 http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/67165025694 http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/67164972839
Others/GK	DIY, TMI, B&E	DIY - Do it yourself Project. Read more on web how this works. TMI - is too much information. What is B&E ?

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In crew's terms this is known as 507-104

The Production Crew has different numbers than what later became the air sequence. Season 4 Production Schedule had an extra episode shot which was telecasted as Unwritten Rule 5x05-101 in airing reality. This changed the sequence numbers for all the season 5 episodes either in terms of Season Episode number or actual episode number for show's grand total serial number. Fallout realistically became 5x08-104 for Viewers.

Production Planning and Rollout - Prepping - 7 Business days days | Shooting -7 Business days | Post Production - 7 Business days | Promotions - 2 weeks before Air date

Story writing/Script : should be ready a week before prepping
Prepping - 18th to 26th September

Concept Meeting : 16th Sep

Departmental Meetings : 23rd September onwards

Location/Tech Scouting : 18th to 26th September

Table Read : 26th September

Shoot Schedule : 27th to 8th October
Post Production : 9th to 20th October
Press Release : Photos - 1st November 2013 | Storyline - 31st October 2013

http://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/releases/view?id=37169
http://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/photos/?episode=2791

Promotions: after post production
CBS2 Air Date : 12th November 2013
CBS2 Rating : See below

http://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/releases/view?id=37298
NCIS: Los Angeles Wins Time Period in Viewers
NCIS: LOS ANGELES was first in viewers (14.75m) and second in adults 25-54 (3.5/08) and adults 18-49 (2.4/06) to "The Voice." Compared to last week, NCIS: LOS ANGELES was up +3% in adults 25-54 (from 3.4/08) and even in adults 18-49

Credits
Writer : Joseph C Wilson
Director : Diana Valentine
1st Assistant Director :
2nd Asst Director:

Co Producer: Christopher J Molnar, Chad W Murray, Jordana Lewis Jaffe
Producer : Joseph C Wilson, Eric Whitmyre, Kyle Harimoto, David Bellisario, Rick Tunell
Consulting Producer : Joe Sachs, Gil Grant
Supervising Producer : Dave Kalstein
Co-Executive Producer : Frank Military
Executive Producer : John Peter Kousakis, R Scott Jemmill
Assistants to Executive Producer : Chad Mazero , Samantha Chasse and Sarah K Mosse

Production Designer: Thomas Fichter
Director of Photography : Victor Hammer
Editing : Edward Salier ACE
Music : Jay Ferguson
Landslide Song at the end of the episode - Diane Birch recorded a cover for Landslide.

Unit Production Manager : Rick Tunell
Casting : Suzanne Bluestein. CSA|Jason Kennedy CSA
Casting Associates : Meredith Forney and Krysty Baxter
Costume Designer: Darry Levine
Art Director : Anthony Parrillo
Set Decorator : Michele Poulik
Property Master : Steven B Melton
Make-up Artist : Chris Burgoyne
Hair Stylist : Brooks Stenstrom

Production Coordinator : Laura P Napoli
Assistant Prod Coordinator : Adam Rex
Production Accountant : Mathew Klipper
1st Production Accountant : Dana Micahaelsen
Art Department Coordinator :
Location Manager : Tony Salome
Stunt Coordinator : Troy Brown
Special Effects Supervisor : Don Frazee
Production Sounds Mixer : David M Schneider
Construction Coordinator: Mike Brooks
Construction Assistant : Krista Schoenbaum
Transportation Coordinator : Dave Bassett
Script Supervisor : Diana Valentine
Script Coordinator : Jimmy Donchey
A Camera Operator : Russell McEllhatton
B Camera Operator : Terence Nightingall
Gaffer : David B Jarell
Key Grip : Jeryll L Marshall

Assistant Editor : Eric J Lucas
Post Production Supervisor : Dillom Gemmill
Sound Supervisor: Wilson Dyer MPSE
Post Production : Digital Film Tree
Post Production Sound : Larsen Studios
Re recording Mixer : Chris Haire CAS, Alexey Mohr
Online editor : jacob Tillman
VFX Supervisor : Dylan Chudzynski
Colorists : Patrick Woodard
Music Supervisor : Mark Wiki
ADR Supervisor : Jay Keiser
Sound Effects Editor : Kevin Fischer
Theme by : James S Levine
Technical Advisor : Osama Shofani USMC (ret)
Multi Media Coordination : Justin Maradiegue
Specialized Imagery, Software and Promotional Consideration : Furnished by Lockheed and Pictometry International Corporation

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‏@jacqniv

#ncisla Linda Hunt #hetty pic.twitter.com/CvycLjpFn7

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Wednesday, November 13, 2013

5x08 Fallout

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