Expiration Date (6×16) Preview
by Gayle (@DensiLand)
Written by: Dave Kalstein; Directed by: Terence Nightingall
Official CBS press release – “Expiration Date” – When Callen and Sam are tasked with apprehending a spy contracted by the CIA, Sam is shot and the team enlists the help of Thapa, the elite Nepali soldier from their past, to help to find the shooter. Also, Kensi and Deeks have their first official argument, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Monday, Feb. 23 (9:59-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Ernie Reyes, Jr. returns as Thapa and Parminder Nagra guest stars as the spy.
The much anticipated and highly promoted “Expiration Date” by the often havoc-provoking, yet endearing Dave Kalstein is finally here! Partnered with Terence Nightingall who makes his NCISLA directorial debut, is anyone brave enough to speculate what they might surprise us with this week?
During our last adventure it appeared as if Sam had been shot. While that was technically true, it was false in our regular understanding of the term. Tranquilizer yes, bullet no. This week however is definitely the real deal. We are again reminded even our (jokingly) self-professed superhero can’t escape the physical damage of a bullet. How might this affect his partner?
Familial fallout is an extended theme as Michelle and the Hanna offspring are notably mentioned. In that Granger effortlessly voices the thoughts of many in alluding to Hetty’s existing yet often veiled maternal words and actions. To whom might he be connecting Hetty with? The orphan Callen? The young tech experts? The long-brewing romantic ‘ship between Fern and Shaggy? Most likely, in one manner or another, every member of “her” team.
Partners will be more important than ever this week when the team comes under attack by a group of less-than-humanitarian… surgeons? They’re dressed in scrubs brandishing “scalpels”, right? Whoops! Definitely not helpful physicians! More like present day ninja assassins! And it’s easy to surmise “an apple a day” won’t keep these “doctors” away!
We know a case takes a serious and usually more deadly turn when a third party is brought in to assist our expert team. This week reunites OSP with the uniquely skilled Jemadar Thapa. Wait. What?!
In burying the lead, the Gurkha’s back! As Deeks responds to Thapa about his partner being sharper than his weapon (massive understatement), we are immediately thrust back to the famed Season 5 episode of “The Frozen Lake”, sending certain fans into a winter avalanche of “Densi Frenzy”! Might the show’s newest “bromance” be a blade-wielding Nepalese warrior and a gun-toting California surfer? Will Thapa simply provide a follow-up to his past advice, offer new wisdom or warning, or even expand his sage advice to the fair lady of the situation?
Speaking of Ms. Blye, it appears we may have the female agent’s version of her own “dream sequence”! Intriguing. Yet based on her response, could this be her feared occurrence of “too much too fast”? Could Kensi realize she’s already crossed/crossing her “frozen lake” or might something occur to cause her pause in her progress? What effect might Thapa have in her advancement with Deeks? (Likewise, the same question can be posed in reverse.)
The Gurkha’s previous visit ended with one agent being deployed to the other side of the world, launching the rest of the team into months of anxiety resulting in personal torment and life-threatening events. What repercussions might Thapa’s latest appearance produce Next… on NCISLA?
