What I’m Watching: NCIS: Los Angeles

NCIS: Los Angeles: Season 1, Episode 14 “LD50” (B+)

It’s weird that things are proceeding as normal with hardly any mention of Dominic’s disappearance. It certainly seems like the active search for the missing agent should absolutely still be underway, and references to him shouldn’t be relegated to far-too-casual insistence from Hetty that Sam fill out forms recommending a replacement. Dominic’s absence, however, doesn’t really weaken the show since he was never a strong presence when he was around. It’s just a bit strange that his case isn’t even acknowledged. Most of my favorite moments in this episode came towards the end. Kensi’s quick thinking proved ineffective but was still entertaining when she decided to grab that guy’s tray in order to try and take out the guy with the bomb. All of this action occurring in the middle of a crowded shopping mall was pretty intense, I must say. The slow-motion shot of Callen catching the bomb as it was about to drop on the ground and explode came off as more than a little cheesy, but it’s hardly a big problem. Only moments later, I truly enjoyed Sam tackling Callen and pushing him into the water, forcing him to keep the bomb in the water. His subsequent surprise pumping of a needle into Callen’s arm without warning was particularly hilarious. Callen was also a major part of another funny exchange at the very end of the episode, where Hetty insisted on synthetic fibers in the pillow that would be used to be smother her because she’s allergic to feathers. Oh, how delightful the relationships on this show are.