Parley (4X23)
WRITTEN BY: Cheo Hodari Coker
DIRECTED BY: John P. Kousakis
In last week’s episode, we started to see the softening of Kensi’s feelings towards Deek’s attentions. Their mating ritual has gone from circling the wagons to Kensi finally giving into Deek’s playful yet sexually charged shenanigans. For a Densi shipper and fanfic writer like me, it warms my heart and gives me hope that if Kensi and Deeks can someday become a couple, we may also one day achieve world peace. Ok, I know I’m being cheeky, but if you had told me at the beginning of the season, that the show would have even gotten this far with the prospect of a Densi relationship, I would have been highly skeptical. Not that we are anywhere near making little ninja babies yet but at least it looks like the final two episodes will hold some special moments for Densi lovers out there. Yes, it is good to be a Densi fanfic writer these days!
Parley was written by Cheo Hodari Coker who has been pretty active this year, penning his third offering of the season. Glad to see John Kousakis back directing, I loved his work on The Fifth Man earlier in the year. Of course, I always enjoy seeing Deeks go undercover and not as a janitor! This time the trained agent uses his method undercover skills to befriend a woman who may have information on a former international arms dealer (Waaldt). Kensi will try and stay as professional and impartial as she can but where matters of the heart are concern, all bets are off. This is where it starts getting good. Max Gentry is back!
Gentry meets up with Monica Davis who works for the arms dealer and may have information on her boss that NCIS can use. Deeks has been sent undercover by Granger to find out what it is. We knew this day was going to come eventually ever since we caught Granger and Hetty whispering about Deeks future with NCIS and wanting to test his ability in the field.
Davis turns out to be a bit of a thrill seeker and a thief. Gentry asked her to do some snooping on her boss and she winds up stealing a cachet of diamonds instead! Even Gentry is put off by her wild behavior. Now Deeks isn’t sure what he’s gotten himself into although the theft will lead the team eventually to an even bigger break through. Back at the Mission, Kensi is pacing the floor and still not happy even after they receive communication from Deeks that’s there’s been ‘complications’. She’s going on surveillance. As much as Kensi tries to keep it professional, the jealousy is obvious when she hears Deeks talking to Davis…and then being seduced by her! Wow!
The team finally figures out that the arms dealer is funding terrorist activity with blood diamonds. Their next step is to find out what the diamonds are being used for. Back with Davis, Deeks finds out he’s gotten himself involved with a loose cannon, as she tries to extort her boss for money to get the stolen diamonds back. Got to go along with Kensi here….not the smartest Barbie in the toy box but she may be not as delusional as Kensi thinks! Although you have to like her choice in until…. you find out she’s using Gentry to make off with the diamonds herself.
No surprise that as we get closer to the season finale, Sidorov is involved with Waaldt and the diamonds are a means to an end. The stakes have just been raised and we’ve gone from arms dealing to nuclear weapons sales in one shuffle of the cards. The team decides to use Davis to get closer to Sidorov.
Deeks always finds it hard to face the aftermath of what he had to do while undercover, especially as Max Gentry. His debriefing with Davis shows how much he regrets having to be someone he’s not in order to take advantage of the situation….. which is probably why he’s such a good cop. He has a job to do….yet it doesn’t mean he has to like it. Max Gentry is so different from Deeks and it’s a persona that he doesn’t take to willingly. That’s why it hurts so much after he removes the leather jacket and has to pick up the pieces that Gentry left behind. It’s a wonderful character trait of Deeks that his conscious is affected so much by this alter ego. Deeks gives her a chance to go free if she is willing to work with NCIS to help catch Sidorov. No surprise she takes his offer. But what did she whisper to Deeks that has Kensi so concerned? That’s what I want to know!
Kensi’s talk with Davis is also setting us up for the season finale as well. Davis can feel the connection between the partners just like everyone before them who sees Densi in action together. Is being Deeks’ partner really enough? Kensi finds herself defending Deeks’ actions and his integrity….and wondering if everyone else has been right all along about her feelings for her partner. Did she finally figure it out? No, she has always known instinctively how she feels about Deeks, but to be able to express it is another thing all together. Is she getting closer to being able to do just that? We may find out next week if we’re lucky! Nice scene and well played by Daniela Ruah.
Besides moving the Sidorov storyline along, this was a wonderful Densi-centric episode to showcase the enduring respect and yes, love that the partners have for each other. I appreciate that the ending was typical Densi…so much more is said between the lines than the actual words spoken between the two of them. And how about that little matchmaker Hetty!? It looks like she may be giving her blessing to a possible union of the pair? Now how did she know about sunshine and gun powder? Do you really have to ask?
Show Highlights:
– Thank you to Cheo Hokari Coker for bring back the Deeks that I love and adore so much!! It was getting hard to watch the class clown routine episode after episode. To see an introspective and serious Deeks is a treat that we have gone too long without. Eric Christian Olsen gets to show off his acting chops in this one with a number of wonderfully acted scenes where he gets to shine by bring out a different part of Deek’s personality. Two big thumbs up for ECO!
– Love Eric’s new call to Ops…I think he should do it with that accent all the time!
– Well you know Kensi is upset if she is hoovering down donuts! All of the surveillance in the car was a treat to watch.
Best Lines from the Show
Callen: If I’m going to pay someone to hurt me, it better be a dominatrix.
Kensi: Oh, do tell.
Callen: That was a joke!
Sam: I have noticed some unexplained bruising from the past.
Callen: Thank you.
Sam: Yo man, I don’t judge. Whatever you want to do in your spare time is your business. As long as you don’t ask me to spank you, we’re all good.
Sam: G…you lost your pants! Even Deeks doesn’t lose his pants.
Callen: We’re lucky Deeks wears pants.
(As much as I hate the usual Deeks’ bashing, I have to admit I had a bit of a giggle over this one!)
Bromance Highlights
Sam: We can’t go to a club dressed like this?
Callen: Why not? The club’s not even open yet.
Sam: We still don’t want to walk in there looking like a couple of hobos.
Callen: Hobos? What is the 1939?
Sam: No, we got to look the part.
Callen: What? Did Hetty get you a new suit or something? You got a new suit?
Sam: I’m due.
Callen: I’m due! Why didn’t she get me a new suit?
Sam: Maybe she wanted to surprise you.
Callen: Hetty! Am I getting a new suit?
Hetty: Not until you return the pants from the last one.
Callen: Do you remember before we were partners?
Sam: Yeah.
Callen: I miss those days.
Callen: No origami today?
Sam: No and stop littering my dash!
(Lots of Bromance going on here!)
Densi Highlights
Deeks: Are you there God? it’s me, Margaret.
Kensi: Judy Bloom, really?
Deeks: I got a softer side.
Kensi: Yeah, it’s called your head.
Deeks: I missed you too.
Kensi: I’m just sitting here, covering your ass. I’m not sure what’s she doing with it.
Kensi; Look at that….she speaks Deeks! A match made in heaven!
(Kensi is on a role!!…jealous much?)
Davis: I’ll get you a sexy little speedo.
Kensi: I’d pay to see that.
Deeks: People would pay to see that.
Davis: I know I would.
Kensi: Tell her not to waste her money. It’s too a small a return on her investment!
(Even Deeks finds that funny…but Kensi’s making it hard for him to stay in character!)
Kensi: Stay here.
Deeks: Why am I staying here?
Kensi: Maybe because if she sees you she is going to run again like most women….
Deeks: Except for you, you don’t run from me.
Kensi: Maybe that’s because I’m carrying a gun. Now make yourself useful and back me up.
Deeks: I’ll just be here…holding your purse
(Ah, Kensi, we know the real reason you don’t run.)
Kensi: Sorry honey, he’s with me. And his real name is Marty Deeks and he’s a cop and he’s my partner. Who’s the bitch now? (Oooh…Kensi is claiming her man and wants him back!)
Thanks go out to Greg Ellis for joining us for a chat about his role as Pieter Smit in this week’s episode. Check out what he has to say about his career and working with the cast while on set. It’s great having him in our interview corner. Next week Massi Furlan joins the caravan of bad guys in the season closer and this one time stand-up comedian had me laughing about all the fun he had on set with LL Cool J and the gang. Don’t miss our interview with Massi!
Well, where has the year gone? We’re almost at an end of the season and next week’s episode will lead to an explosive finale. Who will live and who will die? Say it ain’t so Mr. Brennan! It’s going to be a long summer folks….see you here next week at NCISLA Magazine, for our final review of the season….Descent!
Thank you Diana for your great review.
But before I leave my comment I have to say something now before it will get lost in all the season finale freak outs, spoilers, previews and reviews. I have to leave it here because I couldn’t find another section to place it.
I would like to say thank you to Sindee the host, creator, initiator and what else she is for this great platform for all the NCIS LA maniacs like we are. This platform gives all of us the place to get the information, photos, insights and what else we need to feed our desideratum for this show and the characters.
Also I would like to thank her supporters Diana and Keviana.
Please do us a big favor and keep up with this great work. I love it.
And now to Parley:
Well, I have to admit this episode was 100% for the Densi lovers. I hope you loved it (what was there not to love about it if you are Kensi and Deeks lover).
So I have to wait until next season (Brennan teases something that made my day yesterday when I read it). I think this season was -for me- a disappointment but I know others loved it, what is great for them. So, until next season because I think the finale will be for Densi lovers as well.
I loved this episode! I admit I am a half densi fan. I like it and I don’t and I just want to make sure that if Densi happens we aren’t inundated with it on the show.
I really hope that we get to see more of Deeks background in the upcoming season. It also looks like we see the return of G Callen’s quest to find out more about him self and Hetty.
I enjoy the show more when they aren’t completely bashing Deeks… the pants comment was awesome! I like that they made it seem as though Callen can be just as irresponsible as Deeks can be too lol.
Looking forward to the finale! little terrified of what’s going to happen based on the promo! especially that one little scene with Deeks…
So, I always read and love your reviews but I have to admit this one ~WOW~ tells exactly what wasn´t said in the episode but all Densilovers could watch. They are clearly in love with each other and every else knows it too. The bromance also was funny to watch and Hetty again the “Little Ninja Ghost”?
And also from me, a great “Thank you” for your work here for all of us “maniancs”. I like that word, hehe. It´ll be a long summer indeed! At least we get ECO´s and Sarah´s Babyboy over the hiatus.
I did enjoy the episode, especially the opening scene with Callen, Sam and Kensi. It was so fuuny, but totally in character. One question I do have is everyone seemed surprised that Deeks was undercover, where did they think he was? Surely Callen as Team Leader should be notified if Deeks will be gone? And his partner Kensi, she should have known something. Just a little thing.
I did think the Densi moments were good, not as overpowering as in some episodes. The bit with Eric on the stairs trying to play with the “Cool Kids” was priceless.
Thanks for the wonderful review.
I think this was prolly my fave epi of the season! The bantering between Sam and Callen had me laughing out loud a lot (callen really is a brat) and the scene in the car with the Tootsie Roll wrappers! He’s like a child sometimes and he does it cause he knows it bugs Sam. Oh! and to have it come out that Sam was a Marvel nerd?! WHOO! (I am too)
The scenes in the bullpen with Kensi, Sam and Callen were too funny…
I did enjoy Deeks undercover showing his more serious side and then pop in Kensi making things awkward for him. She really loves sticking it to him.
I’m glad we had a slightly more lighthearted episode this week considering what we’ve seen in the preview of what’s to come for the finale… tho I do have to say, sometimes when those promos are edited, they’re done so to make us think the worst. And it so works! LOL!
Thanks for this great review, Diane. You are one of my favorites and I know how much work you must put into doing this, and I really appreciate your effort.
I had some questions about this episode, although any ep with this much Deeks is okay with me. I do think there should have been a scene with Granger to clarify that he had pulled Deeks away from the team to do this undercover, because obviously the team had no idea where he was or what he was doing and we were left to wonder why.
I thought ECO was exceptional in this episode, especially in his final scene with Dani. He let Deeks’ vulnerability show so brilliantly and just by the look on his face through that entire scene, there is no doubt that he is hopelessly in love with her. Dani was so great at showing that Kensi is holding all of her feelings inside and not willing or yet able to express them. The tension and longing in this scene was heartbreaking.
I see this whole episode as an arc to the season finale. Will we all get what we long to see at the end of the season, or will our hopes be dashed once again?
I also wonder about that line by Callen saying that he missed the time before he and Sam were partners…a harbinger of doom? as Hetty might say? Hope not.
Just as I got out. They pull me back in!
Thanks you all for all the kind words on my reviews and interviews…it makes it all worthwhile! D
Thank you thank you thank Phillydi for the wonderful reviews, I’m Italian are now broadcasting the first few episodes and I see those streaming in their original language and subtitled, usually after 10 to 12 days, but thanks to you I can let my mind wander in the forward to seeing them and not disappoint ever, of course! I also read your fic, wow!
Now, waiting for the season finale, after seeing the spoiler will be high voltage in all directions, and pending the review that will be just as great,
I just have to thank you again, I will follow the site this summer, keep me company, even further forward to the season 5!
See you soon Lou
Loved this episode with all the Densi!! Dani and ECO make the show for me and I think they deserve to be on the dvd cover with LL and Chris as without them the show would be the same. Soo over Eric and Nell they annoy me soo much, I like funny deeks and serious deeks and I loved the interaction and the emotion between him and kensi. Can’t wait to next week although sda we have to wait over 3 mths till it is on the screen again! This show is soo much better then the orginal NCIS now!
Maybe it is just me but I was expecting the Max Gentry alias of Deeks to be meaner/rougher than how he was.
Don’t get me wrong, Deeks is my favourite character and it is nice to see a serious version of him doing the work rather than the standout funny guy. Yes Deeks one liners are nice but sometimes the other agents need to cut loose on the funnies like the arrival in the bullpen for this episode.
It would have been nice to have had this tied back to the gold standard episode where Granger and Deeks meet for a briefing.
At the end of the episode the walls were back up between Kensi and Deeks, they both openly lied to the other and what’s worse is they each knew it.
Could it be that Max Gentry will be back next week or early next season with the nukes?
Some parts of this episode reminded me of Season one, in particular the interaction of Callen and Sam, and the suits and the missing pants, I also wonderd about the Callen coment on how things were before he had a partner, however I don’t think it would be permanent( at least I hope not) that bromance it too important to the show.
Yes it was Densie centric, but very well done, I just hope next season they start to be more honest with each other, Hetty knows what is going on, and looks like she is meddlimg again.
I see RED team got a mention, but they didn’t push it.
I find it hard to believe that we have already come to the end of season 4 and another speculation Summer is on us.
Next week is the final cliff hanger, which by all account is going to be dark….will we need the tissue box?
Love the, “She speaks Deeks,” line.
Also . . .
Sam “A kicker.”
Callen “Quarterback. I’m taller than Doug Flutie”
“How do you know he was Russian?”
“Because he was speaking in Russian.”
Kensi with the food . . . same thing she did when she saw the graphic artist with the blonde wench.
The last ECO and Dani scene was fantastic. It spoke volumes. And the scene between Davis and Deeks in the boat shed, great.
Hetty watching it all . . . don’t know what to make of that. She must have seen them in the boat shed for her to know about the sunshine and gunpowder comment. She was watching all of them on the plane from Dubai, too.
I guess it’s true what Nell said in an earlier episode . . . “Just because you can’t see here doesn’t mean she isn’t here.” Or something like that.
Kensi in denial about her feelings towards Deeks. I’m reminded of her comment in episode one, season 2 when she says about Detective Trainer, “I think she likes him, but is afraid to admit it.”
Finally, I’m suspicious of Kensi’s line about Deeks being hurt or dead.
Can’t imagine any of the characters being killed off. I’m thinking Deeks might get hurt so bad that’s he’s away from a few early episodes in season 5 so that ECO can spend time with his new baby.
Just found this site and have to say I am LOVING IT!! Reviews and comments are great. Phillydi, enjoy your blog! Sorry it took me a couple years to get into this show, but I got really hooked this past season. One question, which already may be answered somewhere I have not explored yet, is everyone under contract for next season?
Glad you found us! I don’t think any of the cast is going anywhere…but you never know what havoc the writers can impart on these characters that we love so much. Yep…long summer!
More great comments!
I still wish we knew what Monica said to Deeks before she left? How many of you think it will somehow come out in the finale next week?
Also, Hetty must have eyes everywhere if she heard the sunshine and gunpowder statement from Deeks in the boathouse. But she must have loved it so much she wanted to remind Deeks what was really important after his undercover assignment. So sweet!
Totally hooked on the show & glad I found this site.
Wouldn’t hurt my feelings to see Deeks in a hotpital bed again, hurt/mending but vulnerable; Or with his jaw wired shut….so that he has to write notes or something…..but even better would be for Marty Deeks to become a listener….and really HEAR Kensi doing the talking…..opening up more or story telling…..or….becoming more safe with her feeling??
After all she trusts him enough to look are her Mom….which was another fine episode….just like when the pretended to be a married couple….lol, like all of ’em….Still laugh like crazy replaying the clip of her zapping him with the knife….
Glad you found us too!