Thursday, August 14, 2014

6x04 The 3rd Choir


Peter Cambor Returns as Operational Psychologist Nate Getz and
     “The 3rd Choir” – When the NCIS: LA team learns that someone from their past is targeting one of their own, they desperately search the city. Meanwhile, Operational Psychologist Nate Getz visits Nell to help her through her traumatic experience.
 Courtesy: http://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/shows/ncis-los-angeles/releases/view?id=40863

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Specifically the episode is about "In pursuit of Mattias Draeger, in continuation of Episode 603-Praesidium to End the built up story hovering around Hetty since 5x24-Deep Trouble Part 1.
Generally the episode is like a revision like someone narrating to "Previously on NCIS"

Episode
6x04 - The 3rd Choir
The term choir is referenced as Biblical term in this episode. There are 9 orders of Angels divided into three Choirs. The Third Choir consists of the Order of the Angels that is closest to Earth. It consists of 1) Principalities 2) Archangels 3) Angels.
The Episode takes it name of Third Choir when Asst Director Owen Granger invokes Order of Principalities, upon Callen having already started working on the mission with his own money without waiting for Granger to guide OPs. in order to protect Hetty’s detail in wake of Mattias Draeger scoop, that he is out to get Hetty. In order to prevent any leak, OPs is closed for all support staff except for the Field Agents, Nell, Eric and Granger
Writer
Dana Scanlon & R S Gemmill
It is fifth consecutive story from R S Gemmill. To me it seems more of a revision and reminder to all viewers of NCIS Los Angeles with all past stories of the characters coming up. I feel because the timing has been changed for NCIS Los Angeles to Monday night 10:00 PM, in order to get viewers on Monday interested, Gemmill as Executive Producer is adding up all elements from Past to give a sense of connection and story to each character and the team as a whole. Past Guest characters have been recalled. We had Talia, we had Vance, we had Mattias Draeger and we had Arkady kolchek in these four episodes of the season beginning. We also had Nate coming in to support Nell for her maiden killing. Haha!
In my opinion, all this might raise curiosity levels for new viewers on Monday, but for loyal NCIS LA Fandom, a lot of repetition will lessen its excitement over watching the episodes. Perhaps I am wrong to speak of Fandom, but I have to say I have not had any enjoyable episodes this season except for 6x01 Deep Trouble Part 2. Why because I saw Role Reversal of each and which meant a character development of each unlike the ennui resulting from watching carefully woven stories to serve as revisions of NCIS LA.  Read my review for that episode. It was enjoyable watching. There are other things to watch out for this season which have shown consistency so far:
  • Callen and Sam’s Bromance - The Partnership and Friendship has entered an emotional side aside from the banter they have. I am loving that. Every episode, I love them interact.
  • Hetty and Nell’s Bonding - For Hetty all her LA OSP team members are special and like family members. Yet they are Mr. and Ms for her. Only two are not. And they are Nell Jones and Owen Granger. While Granger is her old partner, the bonding with Nell is now turning into Hetty’s dependency on Nell, as if she is mentoring Nell to become something else.
  • Eric Beale - On his own, Eric is shining character to me this season. I have enjoyed his presence, work in all of his Season 6 Episodes.
  • What is disappointing is the way they are handling Densi. Or maybe I am not liking the awkward phase between the two this season where they yell hard that they are partners and keep up their banter and yet there is that forced humour to mask their awkwardness at their inability to restrain themselves to keep their boundaries to Partnership instead of Friendship. Yesterday’s awkward humour over Shepherd, Goatherd, Pants, Pantaloon, Dirty Deeks, Magic Marty did not do anything for me. Infact what I enjoyed was when Kensi and Talia had fist fight in 6x01-Depp Trouble1, when she became the Kensi that she is, when Deeks was being Deeks when he questioned Wilson in 6x03-Praesidium.
Director
Diana C Valentine
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Editor
Eric Wilson
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Episode Summary
In pursuit of Mattias Draeger. In continuation of Episode 603-Praesidium. End of all built up story hovering around Hetty since 5x24-Deep Trouble Part 1.
Hetty was called to Washington apparently to discuss Afghanistan White Ghost Assignment Fiasco. That turns into a conveniently planned Ops by Director Vance to flush out the leak who wants to kidnap Hetty. So she was called to Washington to be protected. However, the Washington guys like Admiral Kilbride are offering her positions in Washington that would directly affect the Countries Policies. But Hetty’s heart is in Los Angeles OSP with her team and she wants to return to LA. And of course Mattias Draeger is taken out her team members.

****And what’s relevant in this episode is Arkady’s Kolcheck’s reference to Cold War being no more Cold and how it is becoming HOT. I can only remember NATO against Russia in the Ukraine crisis. Sigh!
NCIS Personnel Highlights / Bull Pen Fun
Ops Room is Sealed to Principalities Only. Gym is DOJ’s temporary Office and Bull Pen becomes the shootout place for Mattias.
DOJ Special Agent Ava Wallace takes a liking to Sam. And that scene was highlight to me along with what follows between Callen and Sam. The way Sam is embarassed and the way Callen makes him feel more. Loved Aisha Hinds in these past three episodes.
Towards the end of the episode, we realize that there was no need for the team to scout Venice and other places. They had to just wait in the Boatshed or OPs Room or the Bull Pen downstairs. Mattias was so eager to visit all these places. He owned the OSP locations. So much for being the “Undisclosed Locations”.
Ops Manager/s
OPs Manager Hetty Lange
Asst Director Owen Granger
Hetty in action. Always like her seeing in action. She fooled the Congressman once again and jumped and felt that indeed she was becoming old.
Granger - Invoking Third Choir Protocol or Warning Callen and Sam, or checking Nell’s well being...in other words He is the Manager.
Partnership 1-
G Callen & Sam Hanna
Callen’s protective pursuits for Hetty is known item.
What is new is where Callen holds his cash. Its stashed in a vault in the same cemetary where his sister is buried.
Sam loves the feeling that DOJ Special Agent Ava Wallace likes him. And it was lovely to see Sam brighten up like an adolescent. And more adorable was his scene with Callen when he teases him about that.
Partnership -2
Marty Deeks - LAPD Liaison Officer
Kensi Blye -Special Agent
Nothing much in this episode. Forgettable interaction for me. However, if I have to register the awkwardness of Kensi and her emotional observation about Deeks, then all of the interaction has to be registered. Kensi’s extreme rough humour for Deeks comes up as usual, which no one can laugh about and yet how much of it is forced; is so out in front of us. Well we mean, Granger here. Shepherd for a name, Goatherd, Stripper Girl friends, Magic Marty, Dirty Deeks etc etc was all a revision for new viewers on Densi relationship. Everything regular about it. Though we do like when Kensi gets frustrated that Deeks cannot kill a roach and looks at him in complete ownership and takes the box and kills the cockroach. Stamp down.
Ops Room  Partnership
Eric Beale- Tech Operator
Nell Jones - Intelligence Analyst
What's new is Eric talking about his strict Mommy when Sam asks him to wake up. So in sleep, Sam sounds as Mommy to Eric. Haha!
Nell and her Post Trauma handling about killing a man for the first time. Should I be convinced of it? Not much. Although normal that one has these traumatic shockers for the first time, almost everyone in the team takes it normally as bound to. Granger, Deeks and Kensi and even Hetty. Only Eric is truly concerned for her partner and we are shown Nell not picking up her phone when Eric calls. However someone was kind enough to call Nate Getz, the Operational Psychologist to come and take care of Nell. However, the magical recovery happens because of Hetty. She understands but has no time for Nell's pain and instead wants her on job doing her a favour because Hetty needs Nell. haha! that worked wonderfully.
Guest Characters
Dept of Justice Interrogation Team: Special Agent Aval Wallace
Washington Staff: Congressmen Thomas and Admiral Kilbride
Cold War Agents: Mattias Draeger and Arkady Kolcheck
Congressman Thomas, Congresswoman Ann Jones and Special Investigator Ava Wallace entertain us. They are continuing from last episode. Interesting interaction with NCIS LA OSP members and fun to watch those scenes.
Others/GK
About the Third Choir
9 Choirs-Angels
THIRD CHOIR 7. Principalities, 8. Archangels, 9. Angels (closest to earth) concern themselves with creation and are the most familliar to us. ++ 7. PRINCIPALITIES ++ "Principalities" (lat. principatus, pl. principat?s) also translated as "Princedoms" and "Rulers", from the Greek arche (see Greek root in Eph 3:10), appear to collaborate, in power and authority with the Powers (Authorities). Shown wearing a crown and carrying a sceptre, their duty is also said to be to carry out the orders given to them by the Dominions and bequeath blessings to the material world. Their task is to oversee groups of people. They are the educators and guardians of the realm of earth. Like beings related to the world of the germinal ideas, they are said to inspire living things to many things such as art or science. Principalities are the leaders of the last order, and direct the actual implementation of God’s will. ++ 8. ARCHANGELS ++ The word "arch-angel" comes from the Greek (archang?l?s), meaning chief angel, a translation of the Hebrew (rav-mal'ákh) [9] It derives from the Greek arch?, meaning to be first in rank or power; which means messenger. The word is only used twice in the New Testament: 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and Jude 1:9. Only archangels Michael and Gabriel are mentioned by name in the New Testament. ++ 9. ANGELS ++ The "angels", (malakhim Greek for messengers), are the lowest order of the angels, and the most recognized and are most concerned with the affairs of living things. In this category of angels, there are many different kinds with different functions. Archangels and Angels actually carry out and execute what is to be done. They are the messengers to mankind. This is why angels (such as Gabriel and Raphael) are the choir sent to communicate with man. (see wiki)


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In crew's terms this is known as 603-125
The Production Crew has different numbers than what later becomes the air sequence. Season 5&6 Production Schedule had extra episodes shot for consecutive seasons. This changes the order of produced Episode and Telecasted Episode. 603-125 -The 3rd Choir realistically becomes 604-124 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 : 
by 13th August 2014
Prepping - 14th Aug to 25 Aug 
  1. Concept Meeting - 
  2. Departmental Meetings : Video Effects Meeting, Stunts and Special Effects Meeting, Casting, Costumes 
  3. Location/Tech Scouting : 
  4. Table Read : End of Prepping and before shooting starts 
Shoot Schedule : 26th Aug to 5th Sep
Post Production : 8th Sep to 17th Sep

Press Release : Storyline - 2nd Oct 2014 |Photos - 7th Oct 2014
http://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/shows/ncis-los-angeles/releases/view?id=40863
http://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/shows/ncis-los-angeles/photos/?episode=7636

Promotions: CBS
CBS2 Air Date : Oct 20th 2014.
CBS2 Rating : 


Credits
Writer : Dana Scanlon & R S Gemmill
Director : Diane Valentine

1st Assistant Director : **
2nd Asst Director: **

Co Producer: Christopher J Molnar, Chad W Murray, Jordana Lewis Jaffe
Producer : Joseph C Wilson, Eric Whitmyre, David Bellisario, Rick Tunell
Consulting Producer : Joe Sachs, Gil Grant

Story Editing: Joseph C Wilson
Supervising Producer : 
Kyle Harimoto
Co-Executive Producer : 
Dave Kalstein, 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 : *****
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

Set Production Assistant : Jimmy Ramirez
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 : John McKnight
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

Sponsored by Microsoft Corporation

Cast
SERIES REGULARS:

Chris O’Donnell (NCIS Special Agent G. Callen)
LL COOL J (NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna)
Linda Hunt (Henrietta "Hetty” Lange)
Daniela Ruah (NCIS Special Agent Kensi Blye)
Eric Christian Olsen (LAPD Detective Marty Deeks)
Barrett Foa (Tech Operator Eric Beale)
Renée Felice Smith (NCIS Intelligence Analyst Nell Jones)
Miguel Ferrer (NCIS Assistant Director Owen Granger)


GUEST CAST:

Peter Cambor: (Operational Psychologist Nate Getz)
Gerald McRaney: (Retired Navy Admiral Hollace Kilbride)
Jürgen Prochnow: (Mattias Draeger)
Vyto Ruginis: (Arkady Kolcheck)
Aisha Hinds: (Chief Investigator Ava Wallace)
John Heard: (Special Congressional Investigator Michael Thomas)
Eddie Shin: (Matthew Ogilvie)
Francis Capra: (Salazar)
Marybeth Massett: (Congresswoman Ann Jones)
Michael Buonomo: (Marine)



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Twitter News


She forgot to stretch!


Looks like Hetty is jumping right into this Monday! New episode tonight at 10 pm.



Watch Tonight !!! Linda Hunt





Editing on E603 with the wonderful Happy Tuesday!


EP603 has wrapped. Big Kudos to Diane did an awesome job. .29.14


Big scene. Everybody works.


Shooting in progress.




is on the move from her first location of the day.



E603 has teamwork for all!



Yesterday in Venice. directs. Somebody is trying to kill our team!



EP603 Starts today! Directed by the very talented and my friend

These two guys, Victor and Bubba, make beautiful, every single week!

What's happening here??? S6, .29.14


and "bubba"jarel two of the best on tech scout Ep603 .29.14


Missing our number 1 The tech scout is not the same w/out her. .29.14


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is leading the Video meeting. E603 is ! .29.14CBS


Before the gunfire. Losing followers - too busy to tweet. Argh! directs preps.



stellar writer of E603 Directed by Mondayat10pm9.29.14 CBS

Prep is underway w/ It's another fine script by Gemmill and Scanlon. .29.14CBS



E601 is complete. It's at the helm of 602, now. is on deck, prepping E603, tomorrow. is Rockin'

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