NCIS LA Episode Summary and Analysis

NCIS Los Angeles is a show telecast on CBS2 Channel. Here is the Channel's Message about NCIS Los Angeles. http://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/shows/ncis-los-angeles/about . My mission of this blog is to trace the journey of NCIS LA through the work of the crew. Cast usually gets the accolades and fan following. But Crew is not far behind. Through this blog I get close to creation and production of each episode. I would like to make it as Everything about NCIS LA Episodes

Showing posts with label MaxGentry. Show all posts

Sunday, January 5, 2014

The Understated Action and Psychological Drift through Season 4 Ending to Season 5 Cold Opening

Photo Credit: @jacqniv tweeted message

jacqniv ‏@jacqniv Oct 2 #ncisla ericcolsen http://instagram.com/p/e-TvBygKRI/

Season 4 ending action begins from 4x23 Parley. Granger's grand assignments begin with co-ops with CIA and his covert use of NCIS LA OSP Agents. He starts with using Deeks, sending him undercover to find out about South African Arms Dealer. Season 4 finale episode we have CIA Agent Michelle Hanna joining NCIS LA team to recover the Stolen Nukes by Siderov through brokering an arrangement of Arms Dealing between Siderov and Iranian guy by bringing in Janvier (3x23 and 3x24-Sans Voir).

Episodes beginning from 4x23, 4x24, 5x01 are all action packed. But there is that psychological emotional undercurrent running throughout these 3 episodes culminating in Episode 5x02. What is that undercurrent? That is Deeks and him drifting away to start feeling homeless. His Managers trusted him for undercover abilities and sent him on a mission alone. It caused emotional friction with his working partner Kensi who did not like his under-the-cover Act in undercover Mission. Though helped to feel better by his Ops Manager to "hang in there", it did not serve to any purpose when his manager assigned him to partner with Sam as his overwatch. Sam vehemently protested because he did not trust Deeks and especially when his wife's life was on the line. He wanted Callen to back him. But for Hetty and Granger, mission was more important than an agent's feelings. And yet through 4x24 and 5x01, it is actually Deeks in overwatch mode, saves Sam in Episode 4x24 Descent and then later saves Michelle in Episode 5x01 Ascension. The mission is taken care by all of the other Agents on field. Granger, Callen, Kensi and Sam to some extent. Deeks is just on overwatch mode for Sam with nothing assigned specific about the mission. And yet the rejected LAPD's overwatch mission is successful by the end of the mission as he saves those whom he was supposed to be the handler as assigned by his Mission managers.

That is the understated action of Season 4 Ending through 4x23-Parley and Season 5 Cold Opening through 5x02 Impact which has a Cumulative Impact of meltdown of emotional trauma added to the physical torture for Deeks. When one watches all these episodes in continuity, one cannot help how deeply understated is Deeks role in the mission and yet he ends up bearing the emotional impact of his understated but success generating action for the overall mission's success.

For Deeks, it is the cumulative impact of psychological conflict between the Third Wheel Status made official by Sam when he does need to act in the capacity of the Paired Wheel for the mission of the project per his Mission's Managers. It is also something that Deeks gets to feel everyday, if it were not for Hetty and Kensi's need of him at the OSP. Yes, it is the Cumulative impact of being criticized, ridiculed, being made to look like the third wheel and finally being tortured for backing up the same condemning partner about his suspect character and abilities. This what comes out from Impact, summing up all the torture he underwent when he had already been marked down as having no character or style or communication skills per Sam or Kensi since 4x23 assignment and until he steps into save Sam. There is no word of kindness or Thank you for completing the mission or being there for someone. He is a loner by consequences and not by choice.

Deeks makes his personal assessment of his situation quite comprehensively in Episode 5x01 and 5x02 where he starts feeling that he is done being a Cop when people cannot trust him, when he is not wanted by anyone of them to act for them. He got abducted because he was trying to save his partner Sam. He had to back him. He told so his Ops manager in 4x24-Descent. He got tortured because his partner Sam's undercover was blown up and was being tortured to give up on his wife's undercover status. He had to keep the cover intact even if Sam did not trust him or felt his character had no honour. Again to back his partner. So much for trying to be a partner when he was merely a Third Wheel all along to Sam. This is the unresolved angst for Deeks. The theme of being "Not Wanted" by anyone. Hence his easy acceptance of himself feeling that he is "halfway to being homeless" and his inability to resolve what happened to him.

Cheo Hodari Coker started the angst for Deeks through Kensi in 4x23 Parley and Frank Military continued it for him through Sam in 4x24-Descent and 5x01-Ascension. Gemmill resolved it for him in 5x02 Impact. Throughout, his only emotional support had been Hetty. But, Hetty, Deeks and we all know that Deeks never felt that he was an Agent from his heart. His true calling was him being a Cop, the quintessential Good Cop. His kind of image for being the super hero trying to make a difference in other's lives. But he has an alter-ego Max Gentry who greatly helps being a cover of his super hero calling. He can slip in and slip out with that persona. However, his partner Kensi misunderstands his alter ego as being schizophrenic split personality as Deeks is a contrast to Max with his tendency to talk. And the only reason Deeks is at OSP as LAPD Liaison Officer is Kensi. Without Kensi, its not a home at all for him in OSP. This what breaks down his security and he starts drifting away from everybody.

That pain for Deeks starts getting addressed when Hetty makes it a mission to have Deeks called back to OSP. I noted that Gemmill in this story starts healing that pain for Deeks by seeming to accept that he has made too much fun of Deeks by calling him Shaggy and he begins by apologizing to character Deeks when he makes Deeks share his thoughts about what he feels when people make jokes on him being “shaggy-like” or treated as “schizophrenic” because of his tendency to talk and ramble on and that he feels "he is halfway being to homeless". Gemmill had started calling Deeks a Shaggy boy and other writers taking a cue from him. That hair-style was very much part of the writers script and very much part of Deeks character for his undercover success, but it was also a pain-point for the Deeks the person he was and he had to gulp down being made butt of the joke. It was impregnated so deep into all the writers on board that it was becoming a pain-point to even the viewers and upset as to why people wouldn't stop or why Deeks wouldn't react.

Gemmill makes it his mission that Deeks actually talk about how he feels deeply all along inspite of him taking the sarcasm for his physical appearance and his characteristic traits in a sportive manner. "No one could bully him, but people could make fun of him and that hurt him." Its a flat statement by Deeks given out to Nate who understands where he comes from. Personally I had never liked the jokes and hence felt sad that Deeks has always taken those jokes about himself; from Sam and Kensi especially; rather stoically. But when he is at the weakest moment of his life with his traumatic state, those characteristic traits that he is made fun of has actually made him lose confidence on himself. The physical trauma that he underwent actually took away his mental resilience against the hurt inflicted by Kensi’s stabbing remarks on his character because of his undercover case with Monica in Episode 4x23 Parley and by Sam’s condemning remarks on his appearance and his style of doing things and having no trust on his abilities as Cop or part-Agent in Episode 4x24 Descent. Seems the prior emotional state of being negated as a man who doesn't mean anything when he talks and then made the Third Wheel for the Partnership, had hurt him more than anything, even his torture was bearable with him thinking about what he loved most, but not being actually cared by anyone, his partner or colleagues.

Infact it was Gemmill indeed from Episode 4x17 Wanted, where he started securing Deeks with Kensi, who wanted him to be alive for her sake in all situations. The NCIS OSP was his home because of Hetty's trust on him and his abilities. It was also a place of his emotional liking because of his close relationship with Kensi. But a drift between partners removed the security for Deeks in his mind. Though he did keep himself alive thinking about Kensi, and doing the right thing by his principles, sustaining Siderov's torture, emotional distance with Kensi is now what ails Deeks mentally. So much that he is unable to come out of his trauma mode because Kensi never spoke to him after he kissed her in 4x24 Descent and even after he bared his emotional state to her in 5x01-Ascension.

Its only through Hetty's push about him to see that he is "Wanted" at OSP, if not for anything, atleast for Kensi and when Kensi shows up at his door, his trauma takes backseat and he falls asleep. Because that is what Nate asked him to work on as he worked on his other aspects of making a sense of overall impact and what he needs most. Its "home" again sitting besides Kensi and "bantering about anything" with Kensi, is no more rambling or feeling schizophrenic. Its the cozy feeling of being "wanted" even if it is to watch a bore movie by Kensi's request and naturally he ruffles his hair on his head giving himself the shaggy look again. Kensi wants him just as he is. "Its a Love Story" for him when he asks himself what does he have with Kensi. Its a beautiful ending to the cumulative Impact what started in Parley.

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Here check out the visuals through collected gifs from other NCIS LA Fan blogs. They have a story to speak by themselves.

The Shaggy name calling prior to Impact Episode

http://wingsofnight.tumblr.com/post/37191571500/oh-my-god-you-do-look-like-shaggy

Parley -Calling Deeks a Schizophrenic

http://godyoutalkpretty.tumblr.com/post/58637044902

Descent - rescuing Sam

http://godyoutalkpretty.tumblr.com/post/50516999821/hetty-im-going-in-sams-in-trouble

http://lovesaroundga.tumblr.com/post/50580240143

Acension

Impact

http://babyara.tumblr.com/post/64509408247

http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/67275314337/ncislafeelings-marty-deeks-moments-season-5

Friday, December 20, 2013

Max Gentry reference in 2x22, 4x23 and 5x10 episodes

Regarding reference to Max Gentry. I saw that as a closure to Max story arc for Kensi. She has been twice confounded with Max personality as she sees a Deeks in the Max undercover persona. That is inspite the fact that Deeks asks her not to mistake Max with Deeks. To some extent Kensi is right as she finds Max not so different from Deeks and he too accepts that Max is his alterego. So Kensi had felt weakest in her relationship with Deeks because of Max and her emotions when exposed to all, are laid bare of her feelings for Deeks and yet she is jealous that Max kissed or made love with some other woman. She acts too itchy and hurt about those two times. She wants it bad that Max reveal himself to the two women, so that there never exists anykind of lingering relationship with either Nicole or Monica. Deeks the second time around knows that Kensi might feel this way and is already prepared to have some kind of damage control. It is that same token of care towards Kensi when in Frozen Lake, Deeks matches Max against Fern; essentially importing to Kensi that Max may be the charmer for all women, but he too has been taken by Fern/Kensi. And Kensi, true to her character, would rather be loyal to Deeks and act pricy for Max even when playing Fern. Hence, the words, "its complicated, I have a boyfriend". Its practically a comfortable sphere that Deeks provided to Kensi, not to ever feel insecure that Deeks or Max will not have any romantic interest in Kensi.

Max Gentry was introduced by Dave Kalstein and Joseph C Wilson in Plan B and now Dave Kalstein has provided a closure towards the effect he has on Kensi. Now that their thing is official, Kensi should not feel bad ever for Deeks taking the Max undercover personality. Afterall Kensi too goes for seductive acts when in undercover, as seen in The Watchers of Season 3. The one issue Kensi might still have with Deeks is...him going undercover without her knowledge or anything about him, was not known to her. She has kept track of all Deeks things, inspite of her asserting that she is not interested in him and she does not take surprises with regards to Deeks kindly. Bottomline she is highy possessive about him and even in her anger about him in certain cases will have the deepest care and concern for him and will always feel bad if she did not care enough for him or become reckless if she did not hear about him for long.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

5x10 The Frozen Lake

One of the best episode this season. Its personal to the warrior spirit within us, when we are an on a mission to win what shall make us happy. Several Meanings and all of them lead to the same meaning : Religious Meaning - traitors who are frozen in the lake and can spend eternity lamenting - from Dante's Inferno - Canto 33. And elsewhere I read, how crazy it is. Check this out. - this-is-why-you-dont-drive-on-random-frozen-lakes

As Kensi explains. Frozen Lake is the emotional weakness of the heart, that causes one to run after his one redemptive desire symbolized as present on the surface of the frozen lake right in the middle, that shall secure his emotional vulnerability; but running over the ice can dangerously crackle the ice around himself that can potentially implode him down into the lake to be trapped forever. And Deeks gets to know from Jamadar Thapa, that Heart needs discipline to control our emotional vulnerability. "Without discipline there is no honor. Without honor we are nothing." The way we can cross over the Frozen Lake is by not running but walking slowly, looking at everything, taking time and the thing we want will be waiting for us on the other side.

Tumblr Gifs -reblogged posts
http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/68817494029/Kensi-Blye-Frozen-Lake
http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/68819396762-boy-and-girl-hanging-out
http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/68819305080/deeks-she-shes-the-bravest
http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/68819530043/my-partner-does-not go-unarmed
http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/68819720739/the-other-side-of-this-life-densi-our-thing
http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/68819865569/the-other-side-of-this-life-densi-chemistry
http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/68819959831/anything
http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/68820145235/you-know-you-actually-started-to-tell-me
http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/68820338852/the-landslide
http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/68820471761/deeks-anything-else-i-should-know-hetty-hetty
http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/68821036751/button-up-mr-deeks-its-cold-out-there

Essentially, The Frozen Lake is metaphorically the lake that Deeks has crossed to be with Kensi. They get official to become Densi. From last three seasons since season 2, Deeks and Kensi have been going on with their banter and the 'thing' they have for each other. It was time, that slow walk led to Kensi accepting Deeks advances! Deeks and Kensi belong together. Everyone knows about this. But there always comes that tangible point where articulation and commitment of the same should take place. And that is what Frozen Lake is about. Kensi calls it as "Our Thing" and rolls the dice for Densi to go official !! It was much awaited moment indeed and time for celebration! And what gets emotional is that there is convergence of Deeks and Max Gentry persona for Kensi to fully embrace Max, Deeks' alterego and reclaim Deeks affection for her by calling out the Fern character within her, the pet name given by Deeks for her. They both fully accept each other's desirable and undesirable traits, strengths and weaknesses and commit themselves to each other. Further, Kensi's giving away her knife as protective totem to Deeks, binds them spiritually together. Kensi, by giving away her father's knife, seemed to mean, "What I loved most as my family, my father, his spirit took care of me; now by giving this to you, he shall take care of you". On the receiving side, it also means to Deeks as if Kensi is saying, "You are now in my inner circle, my family, my most cherished treasure".

Apart from these commitments and entrusting of self to each other, Kensi and Deeks undergo the challenge of the warrior discipline when conflicted with heart's desire. They are partners at work and now becoming partners otherwise. How can they stop themselves being the conflict for the other to keep the discipline? Kensi seems to struggle with it in the beginning after seeing the consequence of the conflict. Deeks in the beginning of the episode, while saving Kensi, he causes a failing in the mission when he lets go of the target who holds Kensi as hostage, showing that emotions took control of his heart and he lost the mission objective. By the end of the episode, Deeks walks into hostage situation himself when he walks in to rescue his partner Thapa. Not only his life is at risk, Deeks is asked at gunpoint to prove his loyalty by killing his partner. Its a toughs spot Deeks is in and he has to wait for back-up to arrive. But Kensi, sensing danger for Deeks, breaks the protocol and runs in to cover him. With the arrival of backup, Deeks makes swift moves, takes down T's two men and herself. By doing so he even saves Kensi. In the end he proves to Kensi that they can become be both partners at work and otherwise as long as they have the objective and role play clear about what role they are playing. Kensi loves men with those brave, warrior like qualities. It is a situation that is incredibly an attractive proposition for her if she were to watch with observing mind. But here, for her, Deeks was not the brave man, but an honorable man ready to sacrifice himself to redeem the mission. Probably that becomes so endearing to her, apart from the fact that Deeks was also happy of her accepting him. She cannot but feel proud of him and commits herself to their relationship. She starts to acknowledge that she might need time and talking to get it all right, but she feels confident that Deeks is there to help her.

Trusting the Partners - Story plot and Marty Finch
Dave Kalstein used the Marty Finch undercover story from a previous episode 2x08-Bouty where Hetty was narrating a made up story about the same kind about Callen and Sam's partnership to develop trust between Kensi and Deeks. That story was about trust between partners where Callen or Sam is asked to shoot the other to prove loyalty towards their cover. Dave Kalstein wrote the same for Deeks and his two partners Thapa and Kensi. He used the same Armenian Mob, shoot reference. Earlier in 3x14-Partners, he uses the almost same plot for Sam and Callen. Seems, this is a repeat formula for Dave Kalstein. It is one of the best undercover that Deeks got till date that represents what he is truly.

The Densi Story Arc Elements
Dave Kalstein brought a meaningful acceptance for the Densi backstopping planted in Deeks and Kensi’s stories throughout. Fern, Baby Girl in 1x20-Fame by writer Speed Weed, then “The Thing. A Thing and No Thing” from 2x22 Plan B, jointly written by Joseph C Wilson and DaveKalstein, which also happened to introduce Deeks alter ego character Max; that also releases Kensi’s feelings for Deeks. Thing turned into “Our Thing” in 3x10 The Debt written again by Dave Kalstein. That episode also lead to Blye K Episodes in season 3x16 & 3x17 which present Kensi’s backstory about her father and how he called her his Baby girl. Those episodes were written by Joseph C Wilson and Dave Kalstein. The last circling item in this episode was the way Deeks was touching his nose when finally Kensi promises to Deeks that they shall work on their Thing by talking about it more and more. Deeks has a characteristic trait introduced in Episode 3x22 NeighbourHood written by Christina M Kim where he informs Kensi and us; that he has a tendency to touch his nose when he is happy. And in this episode, he cannot stop touching his nose after the Our Thing scene. That touching of the nose scene was also in Episode 4x14 The Chosen one by Gil Grant and Cheo Hodari Coker, as Kensi hits Deeks for real in the car in response to his comment, that she doesn’t mean to hurt him in real sense when saying mean things and only hits him cause she likes him that much”. Its that episode of Doppleganger Aquarium.

Episode	5X10 - The Frozen Lake	One of the best episode this reason that totally enthralls us emotionally and that too in a natural manner. The story, the characters, the plot in all interweaved in homogenous emotion. Its gets personal for the warrior spirit within us, when we are an on a mission to attain what shall make us happy. The only solution being an honorable execution to attain the goal through poise and pace that we develop over years through discipline we keep for ourselves. Yes, its that same story of lost poise for Densi as they embark on a personal relationship, only to tumble down and regain that poise by determining an agreeable pace to keep their ship sailing smoothly.
Writer	Dave Kalstein	Dave Kalstein - Lover of Martial Arts. Is member of Forge Fighting. He is NCIS LA’s master backstopper for personal stories of its characters. He is the resident expert on Kensi’s character portrayal. He calls her his alter ego. And always, through his Kensi portrayal, he takes us close to Deeks to take a peek into his character which otherwise we would not have seen it. DaveK’s tools and skills are for Action Drama, Revelation of Past Lives and planting personal background setting to carry forward the story-arc for the character. Through Frozen Lake, Dave pays his tribute to Sayoc Kali. He is trained Sayoc fighter just like Kensi is. And this episode we had his mentor and friend Rafael Kayanan choreographic the Sayoc fights with Gurkha Soldier Jamadar Thapa played by Ernies Ryes Jr. Dave also backstopped Kensi’s Reassignation to Classified Mission “White Ghost” in order to take care of Daniela Ruah’s maternity leave. The Frozen Lake concept as I reacted to it emotionally I have written above in summary. (Non-Tabular read :)) or over my tumblr blog NCISLA_SD http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/68249476791/5x10-frozen-lake-episode-review The most interesting thing is that Kensi is the Sayoc Trained fighter, wields knife and yet it is her, who is not given any chance to meet up Jamadar Thapa. Thapa has a fight sequence and interrogation scene with Sam and Scallen and joins Deeks in the mission to retrieve the Thumb Drive. Loved Thapa and Deeks bonding in the episode. Read the Densi story arc elements and Partnership Trust sub-plot, used by Dave Kalstein above.
Director	John Peter Kousakis	-
Episode Summary	A Pentagon Officer is beheaded at a Naval Base in Bahrain and his recovery plan for Pakistan Nuclear missiles over a thumb drive is stolen by ISI Operatives, who frame the Indian Gurkha regiment as ones behind the killing and stealing of the Intel.	Don’t ask. I cannot fathom, why the ISI Operatives who steal the Thumb Drive in Bahrain’s US Naval base, decide to go to Los Angeles instead of straightaway flying back to their country. If we ignore that, it was a gripping emotional action sequence throughout. I am an Indian and was surprised for the first time watching NCIS Los Angeles that India and Pakistan relations also entered the Procedural Drama. And this time the ISI Operatives frame the Indian Gurkha Regiment who were providing the Security Cover to Pentagon Officer who got killed. Gurkhas have been known for their knife-wielding prowess and are extremely courageous. Soldiers from their regiment have won lot of Bravery Medals in India. Instead of me writing about Gurkha, I shall leave the interested readers to go over the Wiki Link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurkha . Its legit that the United States Navy employs Gurkha guards as sentries at its base in Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Indian Defence Ministry appointed Jamadar Thapa along with NCIS LA Agents in our show, work in parallel to clear the Indian Gurkha gaurd’s involvement in the killing and also retrieve the Intel on Pakistan Missiles in the Thumb Drive. The other stories running in parallel are 1) Densi grappling with fallout on their personal and professional relationship after they acknowledge feelings for each other the previous day. Like the CBS promo says, its them finding out the cost of crossing the line to be with each other like any girl and a boy. The whole episode is about the fallout of emotional spill and recovery of emotional control back into their professional and personal relationships just as they desire. 2) Granger coming up to Hetty and showing her the White Ghost Classified Mission that seems to be invoking for help from Hetty’s team that Granger could use. And Hetty reassigns Kensi to Granger’s mission, thus creating a heart-break for Deeks and Kensi, though they both seem to realize that its a Frozen Lake that they have to cross with patience, waiting and care if they want to be with each other as they wish.
NCIS Personnel Highlights	Its that time when Shane Brennan had decided to separate Densi and its the time the separation was must for Daniela Ruah’s Maternity Leave.	It was a lovely for once to watch everyone concerned for Deeks and Kensi, the emotional turmoil they go through in the episode and the way none of them is judgmental and just hope that Densi sort out the issues they have. At the end of the day, if the mission is completed successfully all is well. And they can do nothing to change Hetty’s mind to let Kensi be with Deeks. Everyone gets to know that something happened between Deeks and Kensi last night especially with that Bullpen anomaly of seeing a hardworking Deeks, all tensed, sweaty, non-responsive to banter, not meeting his colleagues eyes and taking three coffees and seeing a Kensi in the same shirt again and the first time when Kensi and Deeks actually do not engage in entering each other’s conversations. I loved to watch Sam and Callen’s expressions as they figure out what may have happened between Deeks and Kensi and how they handle the situation very sensitively as elders in brotherly manner lending all the support they can to Deeks and Kensi resolve their issues. They are even able to keep Eric and Nell out of gossip and stop Hetty being judgmental about their team dynamics getting little in rough waters.
Ops Manager	Hetty Lange Owen Granger as Asst Director working on another case with Hetty.	Hetty was serious throughout the episode, giving cold treatment to Granger, Callen and most of the time to all team members as if something was weighing serious on her mind. And yet unkind as she seems in the episode, she is kind to Owen Granger’s efforts and promises her team’s standby support and also provides direct support by reassigning Kensi to his Classified White Ghost Mission. It is not clear whether she did it purposefully or not, but it seems natural that Kensi as The Trained and Skilled Sniper of the Unit was most suited for Missions that Granger usually handles. And when not with Granger, Hetty was checking on Densi dynamics, reminding Callen that his team needs to be mission ready at all times and reminding Deeks that he is in several problems that day. And yet she is the one to whom Deeks approaches when he makes up his mind on his redemptive efforts. Sometimes its difficult to fathom how emotionally close and trusting Deeks and Hetty are, but the way they interact is like Deeks would rather stay away from Hetty, but when he is dead serious like his life and death mattered, Hetty would be his his first point of contact for reason, help and mentoring. Deeks does not share his emotional issues with Hetty, but goes to meet her only after he has resolved and figured it out in his mind. And when this is in process, Hetty keeps worrying about him. I would really want an episode just between Hetty and Deeks to know what kind of relationship they. I know she is Little Mother to Deeks, but how much of it like going to a mentor or is like actually talking it out like a family member. The number of times Deeks is confident that Hetty would agree to his plan baffles me and also pleases me. http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/68304304967/the-emotional-depth-of-frozen-lake-continued
Bull Pen Partnership -1	Callen/Sam	This was an episode where I would not be able to write on Sam and Callen as the only word I have for them is how adorable they were. The maturity, the understanding they show towards Deeks and Kensi was so emotionally welcoming. For all the bad that Densi go throughout the mission, only these two are the kindred souls that let the other two get through their hard times. There are several lines, words from Callen and Sam that totally impress us. I would watch the episode again and again to watch their kindhearted feelings. What Hetty does or is being judgmental about Deeks and Kensi, Sam feels like explaining something to her and he refrains and Hetty notices that. And Callen exercises his emotional right on Hetty and accuses her of treating the team members as chess pieces at the end of episode when they see Hetty reassigning Kensi, making her take a plane without even letting her bid farewell to Deeks. Just loved these two Brother Bears. Very warm it felt under their protective fur-cover of understanding for the younger members of their team.
Bull Pen Partnership -2	Kensi/Deeks Thapa/Deeks Marty Finch	The whole episode was about Deeks and Kensi and where do I start. In a nutshell, the last night seems to have gone on well between the two and then come to OSP separately. Kensi is in same shirt and Deeks has dark circles around his eyes and probably feeling sleepy as he has three coffee cups at his table. But after this as case starts, hell breaks loose on them. Deeks emotions take control of his head and all his protective instincts for Kensi go against the missions success. Deeks does not take his shot when Kensi is taken hostage, causing the bad man get away with the Thumb Drive (the purpose of the mission was to retrieve that thumb drive). Kensi is so angry that she hits him hard in his face. Kensi gets pessimistic and feels that their relationship cannot work as it is becoming a Frozen Lake to her that might destroy her. When Deeks accepts that his emotions messed up his head, they have this meaningful conversation that sets Deeks to get resolute to get their thing working. Here to save myself from quoting, I am providing you the text of that conversation. It is DaveKalstein’s script and his tweet. https://twitter.com/davekalstein/status/405760897122963457/photo/1 That lets Deeks make his connection with Thapa, the Gurkha who seems to him very much Kensi like- a warrior and a brave person ready to die for honour rather than be a coward. Callen per Hetty’s instructions, splits Kensi from Deeks, makes her his sniper and lets Deeks work with Thapa to take down the ISI Agent. But Thapa goes missing in action, making Deeks totally feeling responsible for the mission’s failure and takes it upon his shoulders to redeem himself for his mistake. He takes on the Undercover role of Marty Finch to nab Thapa at Talita’s meat joint. Talita Pembakian is an Armenian who can arrange Fake Passports for illegal reasons. She is known to shoot people in the head if she finds people from Law Enforcement. Its a dead zone area as far surveillance and Comms are concerned and pretty much the back-up team comprising of Callen-Sam and Kensi are left to worry in dark for Deeks. Kensi's emotions let her break the protocol and go hot in pursuit to become Deeks back-up before the stipulated time and rushes in to cover him. And that is a mighty save for Deeks as they both being seemingly reckless are actually quick, agile and aim their shots in split seconds to rescue Thapa, themselves and also the Thumb Drive. But what makes this winning feat so emotional for them is, how after the initial pessimism from Kensi and how after getting the hang of Frozen Lake concept, Deeks befriends Thapa, gets betrayed by him for trusting in him and yet keeps faith in Thapa’s sense of patriotism which only leads him closer to his mission of getting back the Thumb Drive. The other personal mission for him is to find out from Thapa, how can one cross the Frozen Lake, which he does get the knowledge by the end of the episode, which is the only reason, why he is able to withstand the heart-break caused to him by Hetty’s decision to split him and Kensi for Ops. And alongside doing all that Deeks also bolsters Kensi’s confidence in their “Thing” by actually making her walk through slight gestures of lightening up the seriousness of situation around her. He asks Kensi to pretend herself as not being Kensi and just a girl who happens to like a boy and has limitless possibilities of having fun together. Kensi really hearts it, calls herself as his Fern and from then on is not even one minute able to extricate herself from being involved in him and his welfare. She accepts him as Max, being the charmer he is, but also makes it clear that she still likes her boyfriend Deeks(lovely scene if you ask me!), gives Deeks her prized possession for his self-protection, her father’s knife, becomes his back-up breaking Callen’s protocol, retrieving the Thumb Drive, securing the mission completion and finally stopping Deeks to tell him that she thinks they can work out “Our Thing” through talking about it and that Deeks would need to be patient with her. She is all optimistic by the end of the episode. And isn’t that a wondrous feeling ! For more on Max reference, one can read my note here that was a response to another Densi Fan. http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/68850637153/max-gentry-alias-in-frozen-lake What I loved throughout the episode for these characters are the manner in which Callen keeps watching Kensi bottling up her emotions and yet giving both Kensi and Deeks their time, the manner in which Sam is so protective and understanding of both Kensi and Deeks and has kind word for Deeks, how Callen asks Nell and Eric to work on the case rather than try have juicy details of what’s befallen Deeks and Kensi. Loved how Callen asks Kensi at the end of the episode, if she is waiting for Deeks and she has no problem saying Yes. Deeks and Kensi scenes were wonderful already. But again my favourites scenes were all with Deeks and others. Deeks & Thapa and Deeks & Hetty. Surprising it is that Deeks does not discuss his Undercover Plan with Callen or Sam, instead he discusses with Hetty, who already seems so distant from Deeks and yet by the end of the episode, Deeks is not the one to be any upset with Hetty even in his pain. I really do not get it why I liked the ending scene between Deeks and Hetty, but it was one of my fav scene. Probably it is because Hetty is taken to Deeks’s logical response to her emotional comment on Kensi’s present. Its suddenly as if Hetty’s warrior traits too showed up and her clouds are cleared through Deek’s clarity of mind. Who knows Kensi’s last item with Deeks is just a knife and that he may not have to gaurd it as hers but use it as a knife from a practical point, and what if Kensi never comes back from her mission, and yet through his heart-breaking moments, Deeks stoically asks his Boss if he has to know anything else. Hetty is totally beaten up by Deeks attitude and has only a smile and concerned words for him….Button Up Mr Deeks. Its cold out there. Here read the scene...from DaveKalstein’s script through his tweeted message and my thoughts on my other blog. https://twitter.com/davekalstein/status/405756882767212544/photo/1/large http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/68304304967/the-emotional-depth-of-frozen-lake-continued I watched the episode like 4 times yesterday and even now I feel like watching it again. Do read my emotional summary of Frozen Lakes for Deeks and Kensi. Its actually just above this summary in this post. http://sdncisla.tumblr.com/post/68249476791/5x10-frozen-lake-episode-review
Ops Room Partnership	Eric/Nell	Eric and Nell - Nothing much except the fact that Eric interrupts a Densi moment this time. :) He is like the ambulance guy who too interferes Densi talk. Important point is even Nell and Eric know that something happened between Kensi and Deeks that has changed their relationship forever.
Others/GK	Gurkha service for the US Navy! Jai Maa Kaali	Knew Indian Military is posted on UN Peace Keeping Missions across the world. Did not know about Gurkha service for US Navy in Bahrain. And the laugh I had at that Gurkha war cry. Come On..Its the Jai Maa Kaali war-cry made famous by Amrish Puri in Hollywood Indiana Jones-Harrison Ford Movie and later used in Bollywood Karan Arjun Movie again with Amrish Puri in. Any Indian watching that would have laughed reminiscing all that.

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In crew's terms this is known as 509-106

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. Frozen Lake realistically became 5x10-106 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 : 16th September to 8th October
Sayoc Training for ErnieRyes Junior : 30th August onwards
Table Read : Don't know when this happens
Prepping - 9th October onwards to 20th October
Concept Meeting : 10th October
Departmental Meetings : During prepping time
Location/Tech Scouting : 10th October to 17th October
Shoot Schedule : 21st to 25th Oct , 1st November (actually shot during Halloween day as well)
Post Production : 2nd Nov to 10th November
Press Release : Photos - 14th November 2013 | Storyline - 21st November 2013 http://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/releases/view?id=37320
Promotions: CBS after12th November, by actors from the time of shoot itself. Check for Jacqniv and EricChristianOlsen Pictures
CBS2 Air Date : 26th November 2013
CBS2 Rating :

Credits

Writer : Dave Kalstein
Sayoc Combat Choreography :Rafael Kayanan

Director : John P Kousakis

1st Assistant Director : Eric A Pot

2nd Asst Director: Kevin Koster

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 @ericcolsen pic.twitter.com/eSenzSw6o2

‏@KBarkertweets

Toot the holiday horns!  #NCISLA was the #1 scripted program of the week last week.  #DensiConsequences

Retweeted by Dave Kalstein

Dave Kalstein ‏@davekalstein27 Nov

Words are just words until people make them their own. And that includes the audience... @DanielaRuah @ericcolsen pic.twitter.com/9kSVsV0MQs
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Dave Kalstein ‏@davekalstein27 Nov

For any NCISLA fans wondering how last night's ending looked on the page before cameras rolled... @ericcolsen @jpkouz pic.twitter.com/gn4YekjUZX

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1. Daniela Ruah ‏@DanielaRuah27 Nov
  
  I❤️the passion for #ncisla & for Ep #frozenlake! Its rewarding to know we moved you, even if to anger or tears 😉 @davekalstein @jpkouz
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2. Dave Kalstein ‏@davekalstein27 Nov
  
  Judging from Twitter more people in NCISLA Land hate Hetty than me right now. :) @DanielaRuah @jpkouz
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NCISLA Source ‏@NCISLA_Source27 Nov

I was just told that last nights song, was actually sung by Diane Birch.
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DIANE BIRCH ‏@dianebirch26 Nov

i recorded a cover of 'Landslide'!! it's going to be on the @CBS show @NCISLA_CBS tonite!! tune in 9pm et / 8pm ct & check it out!!

shridevi gaddam ‏@ShrideviGaddam27 Nov

@chrisodonnell @llcoolj #FrozenLake ThankUboth 4aWonderfulEpisode. Itwas sheerJoy2watchU. NotHeroismButCharacterDepthThatCompletelySweptMe..
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shridevi gaddam ‏@ShrideviGaddam27 Nov

@ericcolsen @DanielaRuah #FrozenLake Thank u both 4 a wonderfulEpisode. U both present Deeks&Kensi in a beautiful,emotional &classic way.

Rick Tunell ‏@rtunell26 Nov

Frozen Lake had it all. Even Porsche ads! Congratulations. @jpkouz @davekalstein #NCISLA
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JPK ‏@jpkouz26 Nov

Thank you to @DanielaRuah @ericcolsen for an outstanding job on The Frozen Lake! You make @davekalstein and me proud!
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1. Andrew Bartels ‏@bartelsand26 Nov
  
  Loved every minute of The Frozen Lake. Kudos to @davekalstein @jpkouz and the entire cast and crew of #NCISLA
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2. JPK ‏@jpkouz26 Nov
  
  @bartelsand @davekalstein Thank you, Andrew!
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eric christian olsen ‏@ericcolsen26 Nov

Mad props to @davekalstein for writing a great episode. A little bit of love, a little bit of heartbreak. pic.twitter.com/IAUlhY9gjG
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Kyle Harimoto ‏@Harimoto26 Nov

#NCISLA viewing party at @davekalstein casa. pic.twitter.com/hD1f0uVkd2

shridevi gaddam ‏@ShrideviGaddam26 Nov

@davekalstein @jpkouz sorry can't stop tweeting.This1willbe last. Discipline& Training&Belief-Virtues. remindsMeofCrouchingTigerHiddenDragon
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shridevi gaddam ‏@ShrideviGaddam26 Nov

@davekalstein @jpkouz No I didn't cry.CozBestscene4 me was btween Deeks&HettyN theyhandled theSeparation as if it was natural dev&needed one
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shridevi gaddam ‏@ShrideviGaddam26 Nov

@davekalstein @jpkouz reading allUR tweets.BigNight4U.Was emotionally enthralling experience:)yeah that's right lotofhistory onIndoPakBorder
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shridevi gaddam ‏@ShrideviGaddam26 Nov

@davekalstein @jpkouz knew about Gorkha, me being an Indian;but never imagined ZamindarThapa actually wud belong2 5thGorRegimentof IndArmy:)
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Dave Kalstein ‏@davekalstein26 Nov

Want to know more about Kensi's knife featured in tonight's NCISLA? Y'know, the one she gave Deeks? Here's the story: http://guroharley.blogspot.com/2013/11/ncisla-features-kidlat-knife-by-harley.html?m=1 …

Dave Kalstein ‏@davekalstein26 Nov

Also: @erniereyesjr traveled to LA weeks before we started shooting to study script & start preparing for that epic fight…in my living room.
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JPK ‏@jpkouz26 Nov

@davekalstein @erniereyesjr @RafaelKayanan Ernie and Raf are simply the best. Dedicated to their profession. Live and breathe their work.

‏@DanielaRuah

T-minus 3.5 hours to consequences... This is not one you wanna miss #ncisla http://instagram.com/p/hMxIVkR36p/ 

D ‏@davekalstein

Awesome story about making tonight's epic fight! Yes that's @chrisodonnell & @llcoolj doing ALL of their own stunts. http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/11/m-ncis-los-angeles-go-behind-the-scenes-of-the-frozen-lake-knife-fight.html …

The much talked about Fight sequence
http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/11/ncis-los-angeles-go-behind-the-scenes-of-the-frozen-lake-knife-fight.html
Chris O'Donnell and LL Cool J play badass federal agents on "NCIS: Los Angeles," but that bravery isn't just a front they put on for TV. Both men frequently perform their own stunts on the show, and during Tuesday's (Nov. 26) episode of the CBS hit, "The Frozen Lake," they both trained for a particularly complicated fight scene. Zap2it has an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the process.

"NCIS: LA" creator Shane Brennan tells Zap2it via email that O'Donnell and LL Cool J found out about the "Frozen Lake" sequence, which occurs when their characters enlist the help of a Gurkha, an elite Nepali soldier specializing in knife fighting, to retrieve a missing thumb drive, a week before shooting.

"Like all of the stunts on 'NCIS: Los Angeles,' this sequence was painstakingly planned down to the last detail by the writer, the director and the stunt coordinator," Brennan says. "Key to the fight choreography was Rafael Kayana, a Sayoc Combat specialist, who worked closely with our team. Chris, LL and guest star Ernie Reyes Jr. rehearsed the complicated fight sequence multiple times prior to filming."

Although the scene will only last a few minutes in the finished episode, a lot of time and effort goes into planning stunt sequences. "Hundreds of man hours go into planning, setting up and executing a stunt sequence like the one you see," says Brennan. "The catch word is safety. Every decision we make is aimed at reducing the element of danger for both the cast and crew. Safety is paramount. By painstakingly choreographing every physical move, the chances of injury or mishap is reduced to virtually zero. But sometimes, mistakes do happen."

Luckily, everything went smoothly during this fight. And O'Donnell and LL Cool J aren't new to the stunt world: They've both done hundreds of their own stunts before. "Both Chris and LL love to do as many of their own stunts as possible. Both are extremely fit and have hundreds of stunts under their belt," Brennan says. "If at any time they feel uncomfortable with a stunt, we bring in stunt doubles. In this sequence both Chris and LL were willing to do their own stunt work because of the enormous respect and confidence they have in our team. The end result is a spectacular, heart-stopping fight sequence... and just another day at the office for Chris and LL!"

Check out some behind-the-scenes pictures from the filming of the "Frozen Lake" sequence below and in this gallery, and watch the finished product tonight (Nov. 26) at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

Follow Zap2it on Twitter and Zap2it on Facebook for the latest news and buzz

Photo/Video credit: CBS
_________________________________________________________________________________

‏@NCISLA_CBS

Why is Deeks acting so weird? Weigh in w/ the CBS app & get #NCISLA extras when U Sync http://bit.ly/Z1Khw6  #Densi pic.twitter.com/gUhwdqf0c0

‏@NCISLA_CBS

Kensi punches Deeks in the face tonight at 9/8c. #NCISLA Sneak Peek: http://bit.ly/IqVvcF 

26 Nov 13

‏@llcoolj

Here's a behind the scenes look at tonight's episode on @NCISLA_CBS. Tonight at 9pm on #CBS… 

‏@davekalstein

Afore-tweeted @ETonlineAlert clip for tonight's episode... http://www.etonline.com/tv/141222_NCIS_LA_Knife_Fight_Set_Visit/index.html …

Dave Kalstein ‏@davekalstein

Stop the presses! Actors giving props to the writer in this new @ETonlineAlert clip!  Only took five seasons @ericcolsen & @DanielaRuah ;)

NCIS LA ‏@NCISLA_CBS25 Nov

Can Deeks and Kensi still work together in the face of danger? #NCISLA preview: http://bit.ly/1c5uZ44 

25 Nov 13