Deep Trouble – Part 1 (5×23) Preview

By Gayle (@DensiLand)

Written by: R. Scott Gemmill; Directed by: Larry Teng

Official CBS Press Release – “Deep Trouble – Part 1” – When the NCIS: LA team and the DEA uncover the cartel’s plans to slyly transport billions of dollars’ worth of cocaine from Colombia to the United States using a submarine, Callen and Sam must quickly locate the missing vessel. Meanwhile, Hetty is called to Washington in the aftermath of the controversial mission in Afghanistan, on the fifth season finale cliffhanger of NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Tuesday, May 13 (9:00-10:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Can you believe it’s finale time already? Doesn’t it seem like we just recovered from last season’s completely unexpected and stunning cliffhanger? Speaking of “Descent” (4×24), based on that epic work, what could the masters of NCISLA possibly have planned for us not only this week, but also to repeatedly ponder throughout the summer hiatus? As with all good cliffhangers, viewers are typically presented with more questions at the end than could ever have been expected at the beginning. With that theme in mind, let’s consider some possible issues that will leave us all guessing for the foreseeable future – and we’ll start at the top.

Hetty firmly declares, “Everything is not ok.” Is she referring to the mission or herself? It seems it’s finally time for Hetty to be held accountable for the Afghanistan mission that went sideways on multiple counts and ended up endangering the entire team physically, emotionally, or both. What additional knowledge might Hetty have had that is yet to come to light? Will she have some justification that clears her of any malfeasance?

How will the team coordinate this latest case with their leader across the country? Will Granger step in to take the helm or will they be left to their own devices? Which Granger will they be dealing with: the supportive Assistant Director or the old-school curmudgeon? What could be the long-term consequences should the team fail to find the missing vessel, capture the criminals, or take possession of the inbound drugs?

It’s clear Callen and Sam will take the lead on this case. In this uncustomary position without Hetty, how might Callen lead the total investigation while also remaining focused on his partner? Might Sam’s Navy SEAL background be needed to locate and gain control of the submarine? Is there a risk the partners could be trapped in the vessel – that could possibly be rigged, sinking, or some other precarious prospect? After all, Shane Brennan did proclaim Callen and Sam to be “in extreme jeopardy” and facing an insurmountable situation!

Did someone say DEA? Yes, DEA agent Talia Del Campo returns. How might Kensi react to both meeting and presumably having to work with her temporary replacement (especially if Talia continues to flirt with Deeks as she did previously)? Given Talia’s own partnership misfortune, might she revive Kensi’s past professional and personal reluctance toward getting involved with Deeks, or perhaps share sage advice to avoid the errors of her own past experience? Could she only further disrupt Deeks’ now-hesitation in working to cross his “frozen lake”? And as always considered, even by a fellow federal agent, is Talia friend or foe?

Also expected to be directly dealing with the absence of Hetty is the tech team of Nell and Eric. From whom are they taking orders, or are they on their own? Will the “Wonder Twins” be tasked with coordinating communication across all the involved organizations?

This finale welcomes Larry Teng back to the director’s chair. Viewers will surely be left breathless by the same man who conjured the high impact action of “Kill House” (4×14). Interestingly, this finale script was created by R. Scott Gemmill , executive producer since NCISLA’s inception as well as long-time producer on the true mother ship, JAG. Mr. Gemmill has crafted the varied concepts as Deeks’ post-torture battle in “Impact” (5×2), the light-hearted mistletoe smooch of Neric in “Free Ride” (4×10), and the full spectrum of Densi emotions in “Wanted” (4×17). Considering just this, it would be fool-hardy to speculate what this fifth season finale may present. Yet no matter what, one thing is virtually for certain: by the end the entire team and the show’s millions of viewers will likely feel we’re all in “Deep Trouble”.

What do you think we’ll all be left guessing about NEXT… on NCISLA?

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