Red: Part One (4×18)
Written by: Shane Brennan
Directed by: Tony Wharmby
I was truly surprised by the results of our NCIS Red poll on NCISLA Magazine. We asked our readers if you were looking forward to the new spin off from Shane Brennan and company and I expected the poll to reveal a resounding YES vote. But the majority of you said MAYBE and NO! I’m not sure why there is such resistance to NCIS Red but I have to admit I was feeling the same peculiar way. I know people hate change but how do you build on perfection? Can Brennan strike pay dirt a third time in a row? There are so many questions up to the airing of this show and so much riding on these crossover episodes. I decided to go into the new show with an open mind. Will this mobile NCIS team will grab my viewer loyalty and make me a fan of the new franchise? Let’s find out….
We begin with a dead Marine in Idaho and a dead arms dealer from Indonesia. Rachmed Santoso is found dead in Griffith Park and recent chatter from the Talaban indicates an attack on American soil is inevitable. Just another day in NCISLA-land. In order to introduce the Red team to the story, Callen and Sam are sent to Idaho to investigate why the same murder weapon that killed the Marine matches the one used to kill Santoso. I usually enjoy seeing Callen and Sam away from their natural element and the warm California climate which serves as the show’s backdrop. But in this case the hostile environments of Romania and Afghanistan seem to be a much more inviting place to investigate than the boonies of Idaho. When you add Granger, a lot of snow and uncomfortable living quarters…then you have two very unhappy NCIS agents. Actually, Sam and Callen look a bit shell shocked as they are introduced to the Red team. Is it the less than optimal working conditions or the attractive agents inside? Welcome to the Red Team, boys!
After Eric pulls an all-nighter, the Op Tech finds Santoso’s last known address which Deeks and Kensi rush to investigate. Santoso wasn’t living alone and they find enough ammo to start a war. Back at the Idaho ranch, the Red Team doesn’t have much evidence to go on in the death of the Marine….except a missing cell phone owned by Corporal Tyler. The killer is searching for it too and he goes after the team with a runaway truck. Sorry to see Danny being taken out so soon. I was really enjoying his character the most up to this point.
Upon reviewing the contents of the cell phone, they find a possible lead in a video Tyler shot at the airport in Chicago. Was he killed because he inadvertently filmed a possible terrorist as he was traveling through the airport? Robert Spears is identified from the footage and Hetty and the team has branded the terrorist cell as Afghani military members that were operating out of Santoso’s apartment. All of the suspected terrorists are qualified pilots with enough explosives to start a war and it looks like we have a possible 9-11 all over again.
Great action footage was shot at the airport with both teams going after the terrorist group. Unfortunately, Spears gets away to live another day. The search continues in part two for Spears. In order to prevent a second attack, it’s imperative for both teams to find him and take him down.
Back at the Mission, Hetty wants to know why Granger is involved in this case and what he knows in regards to Spears. She’s had her suspicions from the start regarding his involvement but he’s not ready to spill the beans just yet. Instead, he is more interested in who Hetty has planned to replace Danny in the Red Team. Enter Roy Haines. There’s obviously a past between Paris and Roy. (Well, that wasn’t so bad was it, Roy?) There’s got to be a great story behind these two that I can’t wait to find out more about. I have a feeling Callen can’t wait to find out the whole story either.
Will Roy and Paris play nice? Will Callen and Paris share more insights into each other’s first name? Will Granger reveal why he is involved in this case?…. And will we ever find out what’s in that damn box? Stay tuned….
Show Highlights:
Ah yes, the box! If nothing else, I was looking forward to the return guest appearance of the notorious Box. Would the opening of the cardboard container be worth playing all the reindeer games? Why is Deeks so resistant to opening the box? Does he fear what’s inside? I think he’s not sure what Kensi is up to….because he knows this could get him into a lot of trouble. Deeks is stunned when Kensi reveals that it is his belated birthday present. But Deeks hesitates. He doesn’t want to open the box because he knows that the best things in life are in the anticipation leading up to the event. But the man is definitely scared and I don’t blame him…too much riding on what’s inside, don’t you think?
All the other romancing in this episode is coming from the Callen and Paris camp. We get to find out a bit about Paris’ exotic background and Callen seems appropriately embarrassed by her reveal….actually they both do. Kind of a sweet scene.
©CBS
Best Lines from the Show:
Deeks: There’s a box on my desk.
Callen: Mind like a steel trap.
Sam: More like a mouse trap.
Callen: It’s an unusual name. Paris?
Paris: This coming from a guy who’s name is a letter in the alphabet?
Callen: I can call you by your initial.
Paris: No, thank you.
Callen: Actually it has a certain ring to it…..a tinkle?
Deeks: Those (shoes) are very neatly placed. So we are looking for a killer with OCD?
Bromance Moments:
Callen: If you snore…I’m gonna shoot you.
I loved hearing Callen admit that he doesn’t miss working alone since he started working with the big fellow! It’s good to have a partner.
Densi Moments:
Deeks: No…This is not what it looks like.
Kensi: It looks like a man holding a box.
Deeks: An innocent man. I have witnesses. Listen it was addressed to you and I was taking it back to you. But which obviously looks like I took it but I didn’t take it…it was put there accidentally maybe on purpose and now I’m stuck holding your box. Wow!
Deeks is very curious about the Red team and even asks how to get assigned to the team? This is a bit foreboding. Why do you want to know, Deeks? Could this be a harbinger of things to come for the Detective?
So far…so good. Let’s bring it on home next week! What do you think of the new spin off? Has the first part of this possible new series piqued your interest? Will you come back for part two? I promise you we will return for the conclusion of our review with a definitive decision on whether or not we give the new show two thumbs up or down. Join us back here again on NCISLA Magazine after next week’s conclusion of Red and be sure to leave your comments. We want to know if you think there is a future for this new NCIS franchise.
I will give the new show a chance. After all it took me til Deeks joined NCIS LA til I was completely Hooked on this show.
I’m not sure what to think about NCIS:RED- it’s definitely an interesting concept-going to wait to see Part 2 to really feel it out.
I think that if it does get picked up, it will have a better feel for me. The interaction of the 2 teams felt weird to me. Can’t quite put my finger on it. Maybe Part 2 will help that.
The Callen/Paris thing didn’t feel that “romancing” to me. Felt more like bantering between best friends or siblings. Some bratty Callen moments 😉
Paris throws a mean right jab! Nice shot, girl! Love me some Kim Raver!
For the love of Deeks’ surfer hair, would SOMEONE please open that box?! LOL
Gonna watch it again more closely and see if I notice anything different or whatever.
I’m interested in what NCIS: RED can do on its own!
Ahhh I don’t want there to be any foreboding when it comes to Deeks… not the leaving the show or getting reassigned foreboding. I like him right where he is, with hints of Densi but no Densi just yet. (We aren’t ready for it yet… the teasing is more fun anyways). I wouldn’t enjoy the show as much if ECO left… I want him to be an agent, but not at the same time.
I liked the Red team! I don’t know if I will add it to my line up of tv shows as I already have way to many I watch… but I also just jumped on the NCIS Tony DiNozzo bandwagon 10 seasons after it first started lol.
LOVE the idea of Paris and Callen, but the chemistry between Paris and Roy was thick 🙂
Some of this episode was good and some only so so. The Callen/Sam banter was excellent, the entire bunk bead scene was very funny. I really enjoyed when Granger walked in wearing his pj’s, took one look at Callen and knew he wasn’t moving before turning to Sam and forcing him into one of the top bunks. The Paris/Callen flirtiness was mild not a big deal at all, I mean who wouldn’t want to flirt with G. Callen?
The Red Team didn’t impress me alot, maybe part 2 will be better.
Hola !!!!!! me encanto este episodio y el nuevo equipo NCIS RED buenísimo !!!!!! mucha química entre los personajes, lo mejor la caja de vuelta y tenia razón en algo se trataba de una metafora!!!! no creo que haya algo importante kensi hiso inca pie en que realmente no tenia porque abrirla, no era necesario si lo que contenía no era realmente importante sino lo que esta afuera es decir su relación !!!!!!!!!! lo estaba tanteando a ver que es lo que hacia y es eso lo que va tener que decidir!!!!! si abrirla o no !!!!! como afectaría su realacion!!!!!!! a ver que pasa deeks su caraaaaaaa espectacularrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Not quite into the Red Team just yet, but suddenly became interested once John Corbett arrived as Roy. The tension and connection between Roy and Paris lit up the screen and will be the reason I will give Red a look when it debuts. Is it just me, or do Roy and Paris seem like mirror images Deeks and Kensi and what could happen with their partnership in the future. Its like an alternate universe. He is all sensitive and slightly vulnerable and she is badass and punches him…not to mention Roy’s long hair. Looks familiar. Not enough air time for the rest of the Red Team to get a handle on all of them. Granger is still Granger though and brings a tension all his own.
The “Box” returned and I still feel that Deeks is speaking for the fans, but the box is now filled with all of our expectations and contains all that we have ever wanted, so why open it indeed. Brennan is a the Big Daddy of tease and although it can be irritating, it makes me laugh every time I fall for it…but only the day after.
Not really feeling the Red Team. Loved Kim Raver (Paris). But the rest of the team fell flat for me. And to be honest, every time I see John Corbett in anything, all I can think about is him playing Ian Miller in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I just have some weird mental block where John is Ian Miller no matter what role he’s playing, lol. I was half expecting Toula and her family to come barging through the door at OSP last night. 🙂 Anyway, it was one episode and there is at least one more still to come. I liked NCIS:LA during the first season, but I started loving it during the second season. I’ll watch the Red episodes and see if I’m willing to invest time watching it as much as I have with NCIS and NCIS:LA.
I liked the Paris/Callen flirting thing. Everyone else (except Hetty, although she did have that fake former spy husband in season two) sort of/does have someone: Nell/Eric, Sam/Michelle, Kensi/Deeks. It’s nice to see Callen have a few moments like that. I have no idea how they’ll make it work if NCIS:Red gets picked up, but I’m ok with Callen getting his flirt on. And I love Kim Raver as an actress, so I’m game for her to show up more.
The box. Did anyone else yell at their TV, “Oh, for the love of…Deeks! Just open the box already!”? Or was that just me? I loved that scene. Deeks was so touched and so surprised that Kensi got him a gift (something he’s always wanted!). The look on his face was adorable. And Kensi was so…soft. And honest. It was probably one of the most real, vulnerable moments between those two characters. I loved that Deeks loved the gesture so much that he didn’t want to ruin it. I’m sure he’s been letdown on his birthday before (knowing his childhood). So to him it didn’t matter what was in the box because Kensi getting him something at all was perfect and more than enough for him. Love. It. I wonder if CIA Agent Snyder dying in the last episode prompted Kensi to finally give Deeks the box and stop messing with him. What sort of dulled the moment for me (and this is totally my own fault)? I read a Shane Brennan interview before the episode and this is what he had to say about the box: “…it creates a very interesting dilemma for Deeks that ultimately will affect their relationship for the rest of the series.” Hm. Okay. The only thing I could think of regarding the “dilemma” is that Deeks likes the way things are now so he’s less inclined to rock the boat by starting a real relationship with Kensi. Their relationship is like opening the box. Everything is perfect right now, so why change it? And maybe I’m WAY off on that. It’s more than possible that I am. But that’s what I took away from his comment. Deeks has always been more transparent about wanting something more with Kensi (the jealousy, the vacations he’s asked her to go on, his reaction to the cover kiss, etc), while Kensi is more reserved and not quite ready to go there yet. That’s not to say that she doesn’t want more with Deeks. I just don’t think she’s ready just yet. I’m wondering if this is like a turning point where Deeks and Kensi kind of switch sides on the relationship thing. Like I said, maybe I’m wrong. But the wording Shane Brennan used struck me as foreboding. I’m sure there will be a Kensi/Deeks payoff in the end. But if I’m right (and I hope I’m not), will fans still care about the payoff when it actually happens? But, hey, if anyone else has other theories, let me know. I’m game to talk about them. Or be proven wrong. 🙂
me no likey ncislared team i just dont see it going anywhere.
Still undecided about the spin-off. Will wait and see what part 2 is like. I will say I like Kim Raver. She’s a good actress and she’ll no doubt do fine with this new role if the show gets picked up. I’ve never seen John Corbett in anything, so I thought he did just fine and few scenes he had. I also thought the chemistry between Callen and Paris was alright. It wasn’t electrifying chemisty, but COD and Raver worked well together and showed on screen. Can’t wait to see what else Hetty is up too! She definitely had something up her sleeve.
Liked to watch it because I always like to watch.
It wasn’t bad, but there was no real ‘contact’ in it for me. Maybe it’ll grow on me?! The storyline was okay, and I look forward how it will continue next week.
Luckily the flirtation between Paris&Callen was minimal, I didn’t really notice 😉 [kept my eyes closed, perhaps?]
Loved to see Scott and I think it’s a shame that it focussed particularly on Paris only, the other characters were very under-represented.
Funny thing was Granger entering that tiny room in his pajamas and then, one scene later, you find out Sam moved to the other bed.
Still, nothing better than the LA-team to me. If any crossovers again, I would want to see the original NCIS team with the LA-team, learning more about the past that Callen and Gibbs shared.
Not sure about the whole “NCIS:Red” idea yet; I’m going to give it time, though. However, there were several moments during the show where I thought to myself “they’re trying too hard!”
And the whole flirtation thing between Callen and Paris?! For a start, the guy “doesn’t date cops” so why would they even go there; and the whole thing was just awkward :S
Hopefully part 2 will reveal more and feel a bit more comfortable 🙂
I absolutely loved this episode!
The Red team seemed to work really well and the characters seemed very interesting. Paris Summerskill is definitely a very interesting character and I really want to see more of her. Kim Raver was wonderful! And Paris and Callen were great together, I definitely want to see more of them. The rest of the characters seemed to be an interesting bunch, quirky and not your average NCIS crew. And they made me laugh a few times and I was curious to know more about them.
So I am definitely on the NCIS:RED ship and can´t wait to see more!
And the Densi moment was sweet, really cute.
Thanks for all your great comments and observations! Love hearing from you all!
I was very skeptical when I heard of the whole NCIS: Red idea, but it is honestly growing on me and I am interested too see more. OHEMMGEE THE BOXX!!!!! So excited it came back and I like how they sort of left us on the edge of our seats with it so we have something to look forward to next week. Callen and Paris…hmmmmmm, don’t know what to think of that yet..need to see more. I overall loved the episode, surprisingly! Can’t wait until next week 🙂
Wasn’t impressed. I think the supporting cast of the new team was better than the two leads Summer and Roy.
Need to do a re-watch on this, but first impressions are that I quite liked it, Red team are different, rather diverse characters, who will take some getting used to.
The Paris relationship thing will take time to unfold,so we will have to wait to find out the whole story and just how much does Granger know?
As for Callen and Paris, OK they like each other, and why not? I also see Hetty’s hand in this.
Liked the bunking scene very much, poor Sam drew the short straw.
Meanwhile we are still waitng to find out what is in the box?
It will be interesting to see what happens in part 2.
Will watch RED if it gets picked up, LA didn’t grab me when it was launched in NCIS, took about three episodes before, I fell for it.
Will post again whe I have re-watched
I liked it wasn’t as good as episode as wanted but still good, Awesome Densi moments they made the episode and I agree that all the attention was on Paris aka Kim Raver who is ok but basically the reason why she left Greys Anatomy as she wasn’t getting enough screen time well it looks like she is getting it here! Can’t wait to see more of Claire, Danny & Kai if it gets picked up I will watch it to give it a chance. Feels like the chemistry between paris and callen was a bit liked oh two single people we have to make them flirt didn’t really like that but all in all a good episode!
I’m reserving judgment on the possibility of NCIS: Red until at least the end of Red (Part Two)… It’s difficult to get a true feel for it until the Red team is completely on its own. The character chemistry is skewed so long as their only depiction is amongst the characters of NCIS: LA. And, I haven’t seen nearly enough of it to even begin to care about the characters. That said, if NCIS: Red is added to the CBS lineup, it’s unlikely that I will ever look forward to it the way I do with NCIS: LA simply because the Deeks/Kensi dynamic is my favorite thing on TV. NCIS used to be my favorite show and now its #2. My thoughts for now.