It is Jordana's story again. On a first watch, I felt the episode was more about trying to get more attention on Eric, like last time it was for Nell. But then in last episode too, Deeks shared Nell's limelight, just like he shared it with Eric in this episode with his treadmill drama. Eric was out of the Tech Room, in the gym and thinking hard. Callen indirectly acknowledged Eric as the smart guy who rarely gets as much credit as he deserves. Nell followed him to gym like last time Eric followed her onto the field. For Neric, it may have been a continuation along with entertainment through Deeks Drama and resulting comments. Hetty declared Deeks to be the Drama Queen. The Bromance betweem Sam and Callen was the usual with a little slip up from Callen. Sam's commentary on Callen was good leg-pulling.
However, to promote Eric, the script made the other 4 usually bright agents+detective as looking a bit dull when they were asking Eric questions or beating him up on him using words like "Malaware" and "Cryptography" as if they were totally dumb and that Eric speaks something that they never understand. In my opinion the homour used was too distant between Eric and others, not the usual types. It was put off scene when they surround him and ask him questions in the Bullpen. But I understand, why it was done. Its a contrasting technique that Jordana does. She exaggerates a trait in one and demotes the other, so that difference is contrasted. Eric was promoted as that Tech Operator who rarely gets credit for the Intel he provides to the NCIS Agents for their Ops and also how he keeps it safe through securing the same intel. Eric has skills and he knows where to use them. He becomes the sort on whom Big Brother Sam can rely to accomplish his mission and protect his subjects, as shown in the last scene in the boat-shed with Sam, Eric and Cindy. Its all metaphorical on Big Brother Sam. All this just keeps pointing out to Obama Administration, which was directing that War on Terror can be also fought through remote targeting and not just actually in the field. The extensive use of Drones Air Strikes began under Obama and so had NSA spying and surveillance increased, to the point it got abused and exposed by a contractor employee Edward Snowden. And Big Brother is exactly that story. Through a story about a Teen Hacker, we are shown Eric Beale the Smart Guy, who actually understands when to hack and when not. The purpose is what counts for his way of work.
However, to promote Eric, the script made the other 4 usually bright agents+detective as looking a bit dull when they were asking Eric questions or beating him up on him using words like "Malaware" and "Cryptography" as if they were totally dumb and that Eric speaks something that they never understand. In my opinion the homour used was too distant between Eric and others, not the usual types. It was put off scene when they surround him and ask him questions in the Bullpen. But I understand, why it was done. Its a contrasting technique that Jordana does. She exaggerates a trait in one and demotes the other, so that difference is contrasted. Eric was promoted as that Tech Operator who rarely gets credit for the Intel he provides to the NCIS Agents for their Ops and also how he keeps it safe through securing the same intel. Eric has skills and he knows where to use them. He becomes the sort on whom Big Brother Sam can rely to accomplish his mission and protect his subjects, as shown in the last scene in the boat-shed with Sam, Eric and Cindy. Its all metaphorical on Big Brother Sam. All this just keeps pointing out to Obama Administration, which was directing that War on Terror can be also fought through remote targeting and not just actually in the field. The extensive use of Drones Air Strikes began under Obama and so had NSA spying and surveillance increased, to the point it got abused and exposed by a contractor employee Edward Snowden. And Big Brother is exactly that story. Through a story about a Teen Hacker, we are shown Eric Beale the Smart Guy, who actually understands when to hack and when not. The purpose is what counts for his way of work.
Unlike last episode, this episode was more about the case rather than Bullpen&Ops room interpersonal relationships. The bonding between characters was more prominent with guest actors. Like Sam and Eric bonding with Cindy Chang the 15 year old brilliant student of an elite school, Callen's chameleon ability to pass of as teacher Valerie without any intention to teach. Even those 2 minutes were enough. I was impressed how Callen without going to subject, was able to hold the class into silence. The students were observing as to what antics he has his sleeve. Even Deeks as the blondie did bond with Cindy at some level.
What was starkly noticeable was absence of any kind of flirtatious banter between Deeks and Kensi that suggests that these two could have a history that lead to Deeks kissing Kensi. Its like it never happened. It also showed an indifference from Deeks towards Kensi's emotions relating to her reluctance or developing cold-feet for assuming the teacher role for 15 year old high school kids. Usually we are shown Deeks observing Kensi closely at these times and tries to get to bottom of her emotions at opportune time. But we could see that Deeks was determined to be aloof from Kensi just like he was on the stake-out scene, where he expresses himself as bored with the stake-out and hence drinking 3 iced teas. Looking at those two, makes me feel for the first time that if Deeks was not interested in Kensi ever, it would have looked like this...a partnership exactly as Kensi had with Dom. Deeks was participating in banter only to the extent it looks a working partnership with a lot of teasing and siding with men with his male-bonding and there was no usual their "thing" dynamics. Except for the runaway emotional response from Deeks when he could not resist teasing Kensi for expessed disinterest in the man with the handlebar Moustache and the way he longingly looks at Kensi from the car when Kensi is walking towards the school.
While it does explain why Deeks was trying to be indifferent with Kensi (he doesn't want to talk about his emotions for her until she is ready or wouldn't want her to be overly concerned for him over his PTSD or whatever), the episode was unable to show what KENSI was feeling throughout. The episode was a damper on Kensi. It downplayed her character to the extent that her indifference to Deeks's indifference to her or her observation of the entire thing was made non-existent, which is nigh impossible in current circumstances. Does it mean that Kensi is actually happy for Deeks not noticing her or him just being the willing partner to be controlled ? Has she gone into her shell for some reason ? I could not stop wondering about it. But it does show to us that Kensi seems a lot relaxed about Deeks unlike her worry in the previous episode.
As for Deeks Drama, it was applied entertainment as usual for the Bullpen residents. They all loved his Bike Drama like we loved in last episode and was DULY NOTED in Hetty's words. They all felt a little disturbed or exhausted of the treadmill induced diversion, so much that they chose not to talk to him and instead declared him a DRAMA QUEEN and dismissed him (again through Hetty). This was good too. Showing that; not all days Deeks is going to shine, especially when he himself does not feel inspired about his idea. We could see how he was texting supporting himself against the table and was back into his treadmill game when others walked in. He was bent on proving to everyone that he is taking care of his heart's health and longevity of life; basically indirectly answering Hetty and Kensi's concerns about "emotional center" and "PTSD risk-taking, suicidal actions". Jordana also shed light on a "Stress Cardiomyopathy" by showing Deeks starting at Callen, Sam and Kensi's sneaking on him just like Nell sneaks on Eric and scares the hell out of him. Eric explains "stress cardiomyopathy" like Hetty explains "Raynaud's syndrome" in last episode.
As a Densi shipper, I feel bad for the loss of banter or emotion between the two from Deeks end. We see this since Episode 2 Impact. He is willing only to maintain the work-partnership and avoid all kinds of personal talk with Kensi. Over each episode since Omni, Deeks is not talking to Kensi by himself. Omni-its Kensi. Rezhnikov, it was serious enough and Deeks did not distract anyone with his jokes and that means less pressure for him to consciously stay away from Kensi. Unwritten Rule, he wants to replace his kensi time with Bike rides, idea goes down the drain and instead it becomes a CONCERN for Deeks Topic for Kensi. Big Brother, he wants to distract everyone and have fun /seek attention...through treadmill, but doesn't talk at all in the stakeout. Usually he is known for his High Coffee intake (Sam calls him DeCaf once) so coffee intake and his desire to pee doesn't surprise me, but what surprised me that he endured all that silence and boredom sitting with Kensi, when he can hardly resist talking for that long with anyone and especially not with her. Infact he was quick on chatting with Sam and Callen through his ear-wigs as soon as he spotted them. That scene really speaks something.
Eric-Nell relationship - if they are going to develop this season, I welcome it. Was happy to see slightly different Nell and Eric in last and yesterday's episode.
Hetty - This season is actually seeming more ominous than usual.
Episode
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5x06 - Big Brother
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Big Brother - There are two kinds of meanings here- the Bad kind and the Good Kind.
The Bad Kind - the head of a totalitarian regime that keeps its citizens under close surveillance. It is Surveillance and spying by an Authority for Intel on its subjects to control them. Its like the character Big Brother from George Orwell’s book 1984. Its also how the US is perceived by its citizens and world after the NSA spying scandal came to surface in June 2013. The NCIS OSP considers its exercise of conducting surveillance as good as it has the authority to catch bad Guys.
The Good kind - A man who assumes the role of an older brother, as by providing guidance or protection. In this case Sam and especially Eric; become the “Big Brother” for Cindy who advise that she has to direct her brilliant skills for good use.
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Writer
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Jordana Lewis Jaffe
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Jordana Lewis Jaffe stories are usually with emphasis on Nationalistic flavor towards its Citizens, by those who are supposed to lead this country by being exemplary citizens to the one who need their support. We can see her stories as the suspect/victim will always be a patriot at heart in one or the other way and we as fellow patriots should help them. Cindy is shown to be a good kid who used the only know method to her to get back at the girls that bully her at school. Jordana adds the "impossible and cannot be this" trait to the characters to bring about the reaction or no reaction effect on the other. She is practicing this to show Densi relationship dynamic. It adds to the confusion, but it takes care of the changed circumstances for Densi since Kiss and Trauma effect for the two.
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Director
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Steven D Paul
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Memorable memories stamped on mind. The usual for Steven D Paul’s episodes. Eric, Deeks and Cindy...the scenes around them are the stamped memories.
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Episode Summary
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A counter-terrorism Joint Task Force of CIA-FBI and NCIS is ambushed. Molena Cartel and their friend Al Queda is target. Molena cartel was going to invest in Al Queda in exchange of Afghan Opium. Instead the Cartel guys were waiting at the exchange point. SecNav believes that there is a Mole.
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There is no mole. Instead the FBI and CIA networks are hacked. As Eric says these days, no network device is safe. Cindy Chang; a 15 year old Hacker hacks into her class mates laptops to monitor what they are talking about her. However the malaware induced attack on the wifi networks hack allows her to access important Intel on all the relatives of her class mates. This is how she is able to hack into even FBI network. A mercenary man, befriends Cindy and hacks into her phone and gets all Intel and starts blackmailing and selling intel to buyers. Eric is able to trace to Cindy first and subsequently figures out who the real culprit is. In this case Sam and especially Eric; become the “Big Brother” for Cindy who advise that she has to direct her brilliant skills for good use.
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NCIS Personnel Highlights and Bull Pen Fun
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Balanced episode with Case and interpersonal stories of NCIS team.
Deeks is the Drama Queen with Walking Workstation treadmill.
Eric is the “Smart Guy” who does not get credit though he deserves it all the time. Sam calls him E-Bot.
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Unlike last episode, this episode was more about the case rather than Bullpen&Ops room interpersonal relationships. The bonding between characters was more prominent with guest actors, like Sam and Eric bonding with Cindy, Callen's chameleon ability to pass of as teacher Valerie without any intention to teach. Even those 2 minutes were enough. I was impressed how Callen without going to subject, was able to hold the class into silence. The students were observing as to what antics he has his sleeve. Even Deeks as the blondie did bond with Cindy at some level. However, to promote Eric, the script made the other 4 usually bright agents+detective as looking a bit dull when they were asking Eric questions as if they were totally dumb and that Eric speaks something that they never understand. In my opinion the homour used was too distant between Eric and others, not the usual types. It was put off scene when they surround him and ask him questions in the Bullpen. But I understand it as a contrasting technique to highlight what Eric does for viewers who cannot understand Technology concepts.
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Ops Manager
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Hetty Lange
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This week, Hetty’s focus is on Eric and his habits again. When Eric is unable to crack the case and goes to gym and starts working out and later works with sweat, Hetty disapproves his relaxation of the already lax dress code. This is almost like repeat of 5x02 Episode where Hetty is after Eric to get him have a grown up way of dress code. Hetty seems to want to prepare Eric for Nell’s wish list. Alas! Eric does not take her hint.
After last week’s conversation with Deeks, Hetty sees Deeks asking her to allow install the treadmill for work station. Though she allows it, but towards the end of the episode upon Eric’s concerns about network slowing down, she gets it removed. When Deeks protests, Hetty dismisses him and rather herself calling him a Drama Queen. Its not shown to us, but it seems Hetty knows that Deeks did talk to Kensi the benefits of walking as Kensi seems to have approved the idea and left it to Hetty to approve. We get to know it, when Kensi knowingly speaks about the advantages of walking workstation. Deeks even calls his protege. Unlike last time’s Hetty’s concern that Deeks is not talking to Kensi, it seems to have improved as Deeks started discussing with Kensi about something and atleast Kensi now knows what’s going on in Deeks head and this way her anxiety is lessened around him, making Deeks taking care of Kensi in that manner.
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Bull Pen Partnership -1
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G Callen & Sam Hanna
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The usual Bromance. One has to watch the episode to enjoy their banter. Callen’s neighbour has taken to Callen and she blogs about him. Sam teases Callen about that and says he could have expected Deeks to have git caught up in that manner, but never though Callen could be caught up with something like that. For the purpose of the case Callen goes as the undercover teacher with name “Valerie” and yet he is able to hold command.
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Partnership -2
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Marty Deeks and Kensi Blye
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There is strange kind of dynamic between the two. For the purpose of the case, they have a stake-out, Deeks gets kicked in his junk by Cindy and Kensi is selected to be the undercover teacher but suddenly develops cold feet and turns back. Everyone is baffled and only Deeks is the one who is not interested to know why. I think that turning around was created for Kensi to show us the difference in perceptions from Deeks end from previous times. He does not want to get close to Kensi more than is warranted and he lovingly looks at her from the car as she walks, which he has been avoiding sitting next to him in the car or while working at office. He would rather silently sip iced tea in the stake-out rather than talk to Kensi fearing any talk that might stress him out.
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Ops Room Partnership
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Eric Beale- Tech Operator
Nell Jones - Intelligence Analyst
Neric - in making
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Eric was out of the Tech Room, in the gym and thinking hard. Callen indirectly acknowledged Eric as the smart guy who rarely gets as much credit as he deserves. Nell followed him to gym like last time Eric followed her onto the field. So for that couple, it may have been a continuation from last episode. NERIC in progress. Their characters being developed slightly. Nell calls Eric "Goldilocks".
The story about a two Hackers - Cindy pitted against Eric Beale, all of it just keeps pointing out to Obama Administration, which is directing that War on Terror can be also fought through remote targeting and not just actually in the field. The extensive use of Drones Air Strikes began under Obama and so had NSA spying and surveillance increased, to the point it got abused and exposed by a contractor employee Edward Snowden. And Big Brother is exactly that story. Through a story about a Teen Hacker, we are shown Eric Beale the Smart Guy, who actually understands when to hack and when not, when to run a surveillance and to what extent it can be tapped. The purpose is what counts for his way of work and his purpose is to save lives and not work in a way that it gets others killed. |
Love Story
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Kensi Blye & Marty Deeks
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The usual flirtatious banter and chatter is missing while they are alone. Even when they feel something, they do not look into each other’s eyes. This has been missing from last three episodes ever since Deeks returned to work. The kiss impact is still in Deeks mind and he treads carefully around it. He prefers getting bored rather than having some fun at Kensi’s expense. But back in Bull pen, it was pretty clear that Deeks has been talking to Kensi about his treadmill idea. Deeks is also not much into prying about Kensi’s past. However, what we do observe is Deeks interest picqued in Kensi when she keeps observing a bartender who has “Handlebar” Moustache and she disapproves him. This makes him tease her if she is truly dislikes men’s facial hair. [After all Deeks has facial hair all over his face.] The other thing we can notice is that Deeks may have looked aloof while in the car-stake out, when Kensi is going as undercover teacher, Deeks looks at her very lovingly. What we can see by end of the episode is that Deeks is also relaxing as Kensi is relaxed about him and he is now able to think about Kensi in his head and act in small gestures. So the longing is felt more by us as we see Densi relaxed, away from PTSD concerns and yet not flirting with each other, just the teasing, just staying calm with each other. Seems a new kind of dynamic to me...a much less talking Deeks who seems lost in thoughts and his world and yet he is happy to be with Kensi.
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PTSD
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Marty Deeks
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Deeks seems to be focussed more on Kensi’s concerns of his PTSD and on that front, he makes progress with her relaxing her as much as he can. And he seems to have been successful. Kensi is more relaxed as she starts seeing Deeks efforts to keep himself healthy by his own choice and infact asking her join his "Walking Workstation Community". t is clear through Bull pen scene that Kensi has been asked, discussed and canvassed by Deeks to join his Walking Group. Also, now none of his team members are indulging as before, instead they are frustrated and bored of his antics and waiting for Hetty to show the stick to him. Deeks coming back to his habits of annoying others….
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Others/GK
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Cyber Terrorism, Big Brother, Surveillance, Spying, Hacking
Alanis Morisette -Ironic and HandleBar Moustache PTSD - Stress Cardiomyopathy |
============================================================================================
In crew's terms this is known as 506-103. This episode was shot after Livelong Day which actually aired after Big Brother.
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. Big Brother realistically became 5x06-102 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 :
Prepping - 4th September to 16th September
- Concept Meeting
- Departmental Meetings
- Location/Tech Scouting
- Table Read : Happens a day before the shooting starts (end of Prepping).
Shoot Schedule : 17th september to 26th September
Post Production :
Press Release : Photos - 23rd October 2013 | Storyline - 15th October 2013
http://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/releases/view?id=36985
http://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/photos/?episode=2714
Promotions: CBS after ****
CBS2 Air Date : 29th October 2013
CBS2 Rating : http://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/releases/view?id=37144
NCIS: LOS ANGELES was first in viewers (14.76m) and second in adults 25-54 (3.6/08) and adults 18-49 (2.6/08). Compared to last week, NCIS: LOS ANGELES was up +6% in adults 25-54 (from 3.4/08) and +4% in adults 18-49 (from 2.5/07).
Credits
Writer : Jordana Lewis Jaffe
Director : Steven D Paul
1st Assistant Director : Suzanne Saltz
2nd Asst Director: Stacy Schrader
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
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
Twitter News
Best substitute teacher… ever. Last Tuesday on #NCISLA: http://bit.ly/1agcEw4
Hetty tells it like it is on #NCISLA. Last night's full epiosde: http://bit.ly/PPqnqg http://ow.ly/i/3zfat
Who did Hetty put in traffic school? Get the answer and more #NCISLA extras with the CBS app http://bit.ly/Z1Khw6 pic.twitter.com/BRVTIGDq0k
Want more #Deeks? Download the CBS app for behind the scenes extras http://bit.ly/Z1Khw6 .@ericcolsen #NCISLA pic.twitter.com/UYr7PkxRnK
Don’t you wish you shared an office with these guys? New episode of #NCISLA starts right now! http://ow.ly/i/3zf5h
If it looks like Deeks is on a treadmill whilst being at his desk, it's because he's at his desk… http://instagram.com/p/gEa-FBNuDl/
Here's a sneak peak of tonights episode! Make sure to catch all the action of #NCISLA tonight at 9pm… http://instagram.com/p/gEUQ7mo6jd/
I don't fully remember shooting this scene but in my head I imagine Deeks took some peyote and thought… http://instagram.com/p/gEW5ybNuNn/
http://bit.ly/1f1XTlY This is happening. Evidently tonight. Game on. #ncisla
Bad guys with guns, no problem. But going back to high school… #NCISLA preview: http://bit.ly/1f013qe
Next week’s mission: Find the 15-year old super-hacker. #NCISLA First Look Photos: http://bit.ly/He58LY pic.twitter.com/dZO1XB7EfU
How much do you think the bowling ball topiaries cost? pic.twitter.com/UdCWrzwjKK
Setting up first shot Monday morning! pic.twitter.com/rP76bXhKQY
Ep.506 is under way. Good start to a funny episode. #NCISLA #happyTuesday
Great table read for E506. DePaul is prepped and ready to roll tomorrow. A hearty thanks to @NCISDIR His Ep. ROCKS! #NCISLA #HappyMonday
Shane Brennan tones Ep.506 w/DePaul. It starts production tomorrow #NCISLA #HappyMonday #won'tdisappoint pic.twitter.com/psmyGwzSYM
EP.505 completed, today. Begin E506 tomorrow! It's going to be an outstanding week! Many plans in the works for future Eps. #NCISLA
Good morning. All is well this morning #NCISLA The entire team is working today. Looking forward to a restful weekend. #HappyWeekend
Scout complete. #BestCrewInHollywood ahead of schedule...as usual! #loveourcrew #NCISLA Casting next!
Good morning from #NCISLA! Tech scout today for E506, DePaul/Jaffe. Going to be a very good EP. W/many laughs. #staytuned
Art Dept.Mtg. E506. De Paul and Fichter discuss plans. #NCISLA #planninganddesigning pic.twitter.com/DrAA3yaTfK
First Video mtg. For E506. All went well! #ncisla pic.twitter.com/GGYtBknvRp
Good morning from #NCISLA central! Day 4,E505 shoot. Day 3, E506 Prep. It's an exciting day with Densi, Running, jumping and tackles. #LAfun
Just completed our scout in Granada Hills. This is going to be a great location. #staytuned #NCISLA E506!
Our scribe, Jordana, sipping on a Chocolate malt. Scouting Ep.506 #ncisla #happyFriday pic.twitter.com/yiVA2yQb7j
@carigast @chrispost81 Jordana Lewis Jaffe.
JPK @jpkouz
@RonTreger No TR on 505. Only two cast working today. #staytuned TR will resume on 506. #NCISLA #tablereadworks
JPK @jpkouz
On deck for E506, musician extraordinaire, Steven De Paul. Always fun working with the man who toured with the greats. Prep Friday #NCISLA
