What I’m Watching: NCIS: Los Angeles

NCIS: Los Angeles: Season 1, Episode 7 “Pushback” (B+)

It’s fitting that this series references events that occurred in its backdoor pilot on the same night that the very show that launched it features a crossover of Vance’s villain nemesis that appeared on this show just a few weeks ago. The opening sequence was an intense start to the episode, and exploring Callen’s mysterious past was a great focus. Nate’s concern over all the holes in Callen’s file was both intriguing and amusing, and his notion that perhaps Hetty was the one responsible for all the redactions was fun. Callen is a nice enough guy who certainly has better social skills than his partner, and it’s interesting to think that he has this international history behind him rife with secret identities and numerous friends and enemies. Callen certainly isn’t as intimidating or fearsome as someone like Leroy Jethro Gibbs, and he’s far more diplomatic in his relations with his co-workers and supervisors. His undercover job with Kensi was quite entertaining, and that seems to be what the two of them do best together, and it’s certainly the best way to incorporate Kensi into the team. Sam’s efforts to appease Hetty by trying to share her love of tea made for a hilarious situation, and his distaste for the tea wasn’t nearly as funny as her realization that it just wasn’t good. The relationship between Callen, Sam, and Hetty, and even some of the other cast members, is absolutely priceless, and definitely serves as the driving force of the show.