Last week’s episode, The Watchers is definitely a tough act to follow with such great writing and action sequences. When I heard they were going to do a follow-up to Betrayal, I thought it would be a good idea to take a look back at that episode which first aired back in November, 2011. Written by Frank Military and directed by Karen Gaviola it was an emotionally explosive show that had a lot of fans wondering more about Sam’s private live and how he was able to combine that life with the dangers of being an NCIS agent. Sam returns to the Sudan to track down missing CIA agent Michael Saleh.

The opening scene in Ops is anxiety-ridden as the NCIS team fears that Sam may be the third body found in a field outside of Cartum. Callen’s hesitancy to peel back the body shroud and his relief that it’s not Sam underneath is one of the more heartbreaking scenes filmed this year. It’s also a joy to watch the characters respond in relief when Callen first spots Sam on the streets to let them know he is alive and well.

Although I knew Sam had a family, I was surprised to find by the end of the show that his involvement with Jada was strictly business. Alright, call me a hopeless romantic, but I felt that there was something going on there despite the mission and that he wasn’t just using her. Sam tells Callen that he needs to do this (bring Jada back with him)…despite Callen’s objection. You could see the regret and guilt on his face when he has to betray his feeling for Jada in order to complete the mission. Despite having a wife and family back home (that he loves?), he is torn. Jada risked her life and defied her brother for the man she loved so it was hard to watch this betrayal despite the noble reasons for his actions. Does Sam hate himself when he has to tell her that none of it was real? Sure looked like it. My heart dropped at the end when Callen tries to talk to him in the hanger but realizes it won’t make a difference no matter what he says. He knows nothing will make Sam feel better.

I think Deeks summed up the whole episode when he said: I love these masks, I think they are so interesting because we all wear them at some point, don’t you think?

Switch now to tonight’s episode. Jada Khaled returns in Exit Strategy when an NCIS security detail vehicle she is riding in is ambushed. The NCIS team has got to find her possible assassins before it’s too late. It’s not surprising that Sam is going to have to come to grips with his emotional attachment to the woman once again. Written by NCISLA freshman writer Gregory Weidman and directed by Dennis Smith (Fame), I had to wonder why the producers decided to continue the story if there wasn’t more going on between Sam and Jada. It would be nice to see a Sam storyline that deals with his personal life and the conflicts between his work and his private life, the sacrifices he has to make, and how telling lies and half-truths affect his relationship with his wife and kids. It would definitely make for some interesting character development, don’t you think? (Thanks to MK for this observation.)

With no leads on Jada’s brother (the number one suspect), and with Emslie missing, the team is searching for leads. I enjoyed listening to Callen’s plea to Sam that they did the right thing for the greater good. He promises Sam they will put Khaled in his grave along with all the other monsters who committed crimes against humanity. Sam may be too close to this mission and Callen is wondering how far he’s going to go. (I think you scared the hell out him. In fact you scared the hell out of me.). Of course we find out that it was Elmslie who set up the assassination to save his family being held by Khaled. Just loved the shot of the team on the balcony as they watch Elmslie escape down the road.

Hetty is worried about her two senior agents and she has a right to be. Khaled is living up to his name and his treats against the team are ominous warnings for possible future retaliations. Scary guy.

Yes, Deeks, ask the elephant in the room question! The long awaited reunion of Sam and Jada was heartbreaking and as he tells Jada, their relationship wasn’t part of the plan…. So perhaps there was something there. But Sam remains an honorable man….he had no choice. But this story doesn’t end here. Khaled is still out there and Sam knows that his and Jada’s path will cross again. So stay tuned for the next chapter folks!

There was some comic relief in the form of the girls beating up on our favorite guys. Nell loves to one-up Eric whenever possible. They’re not even married and Eric is already sweetly henpecked. I like the dead arm rules better, I think. (I can’t feel my fingers!) Sorry Eric!

©jacqniv

Best Line of the Show:

Deeks: Put your rear in gear honey, that car ain’t driving itself.
Guard: You need a new job.
Kensi: Tell me about it.

Deeks Moments:

• Deeks in a suit! (Good God do I look breathtaking!)
• Oh a little bondage play? Really…naughty little librarian!
• Callen: He’s got a grenade! Deeks: Oh come on. Who does that?
• You think they would have learned their lesson after Kensi kicked one of their frères in the croissants the last time we met.
• Kensi: Bien sur, mon ami. Pas de probleme. Deeks: I love it when you talk dirty! And he tops it off with that famous Deeks’ smile!

Other Highlights of the Show:

• Loved seeing Hetty turn the jinx game around on Eric and Nell to her advantage.
• Kensi crying (never seen that before) and using her palm to wipe her nose! Now that was breathtaking!
• Looks like Granger is flying under the radar for this episode but looking forward to seeing him make a return appearance.
• Can you get us a shot of the street Eric? Hellooooo! Was there ever a doubt?
• Eric: Just promise me you won’t hurt me if it doesn’t work. Sam: Have I ever hurt you Eric? No but there can always be a first time…

Densi Watch:

Kensi gets one up on Deeks too after he mentions her relationship with her dad again. Once again, great Densi banter this time about Kensi’s tomboy childhood. (Do you think you were born a tomboy or you became one because your dad really wanted a son?) A well hit upper cut to the shoulder has Deeks doubled over in pain. I’m afraid you walked right into that one Deeks, genes or no genes! And Deeks, the businessman and Kensi the timid assistant will probably go down in Densi lore. Brilliantly played, guys!

Ok, it’s your turn…what are your thoughts about this episode?

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