@cbs
Skin Deep (4×07)
Written by: Gil Grant
Directed by: Paul K. Kaufman
Since the pictures on the beach surfaced of Densi surfing together, fans of the will-they-or-won’t-they couple have been biting at the bit hoping for another tantalizing morsel that will move the relationship moving forward one more step. This time the team hits the beach to investigate a surfer, a video and a dead Navy teckie. Gil Grant is behind the pen for the first time since Sans Voir (Part 1) and we have a new comer in the director’s chair too. Paul Kaufman is a great addition to the list of directors and I look forward to his next directorial assignment on the show, especially after the exciting opening sequence.
The dead naval engineer in question is Kevin Stone and he’s been working on a relatively low level, mundane security projects. When a video of his murder is posted, the team sets out to find his killers. Maybe his low-level work is not so low-level after all? The first mystery is why the victim may have had something removed from his abdomen during the stabbing. A major intelligence device you say? Hmmm. So much for working on the mundane. Looks like Stone was headed to London via Istanbul. Was he taking the device to an unknown location as a sell out?
The team is not having any luck coming up with any leads. So it’s time to hit the beach to find the dude that shot the video. Perhaps if they find his surfing mentor, Sonny Amador they will find the skittish surfer. Loving the use of Johnny Rivers’ song, Secret Agent Man as the background music for the opening on the beach. So retro! And Deeks hanging ten! Let the twittering begin! I loved seeing him with the ocean as a backdrop. He looks so much at home on the sand, doesn’t he? The bar fight reminded me of all those old Elvis movies from the sixties too! The Topanga Canyon hippy commune added more treats when Deeks is recognized as the guy from Scooby Doo! Bad karma, Shaggy! I enjoyed Callen trying to gain Lance’s trust talking about his foster placements. He understands why Lance doesn’t trust anyone anymore including the government and gets him to expose Sonny’s get rich scam. Of course, eventually the team is finally able to find the missing the robotic device and send the bad guys packing.
Paul Kaufman chose some interesting camera shots during the show. I especially liked the overhead shot of the team in Ops. From Gil Grant, we get to find out more about Callen’s life in the foster system and we took one more step in a Densi direction. So enjoyed watching Deeks and Kensi surf. Overall a fun episode on and off the beach!
Show Highlights:
– Loved the pizza race to the kitchen. Didn’t think you could see three grown people run so fast, did ya?
– Glad to see Rose back and asking for Nate.
– Kensi and Deeks quoting O’Rourke and Emerson. Nice touch.
– Will somebody please get Sam some curry shrimp!
@cbs
Best Lines from the Show:
Kensi: Deeks loves food. Sam: He also loves Donnie and Marie!
Sam: Maybe they can program the robots to pick a decent food truck. Ha!
Deeks: We’re partners Kensi, you can ask me anything. Kensi: Donnie and Marie? Really?
Deeks: She likes me… just wait for it.
Hetty: Well done, Mr. Deeks. But let’s not blow the whole case budget in the first hour, shall we? Or I’ll have to move the decimal point on your first pay check. Sam: Yeah, those mani/pedis don’t come cheap!
Bromance Moments:
Callen and Sam throwing golfing metaphors around was amusing. It’s a metaphor for life, Sam! You need to stare down your fears. Although Callen may have never played a single game of golf, we all know COD is an avid golfer.
Densi Moments:
– Well we find out that Deeks sleep walks… that could get interesting.
– Deeks, you just love to taunt Kensi, don’t you?
– How’s your beach body? Really Deeks? Like you don’t already know.
– Kensi trying out her surfer lingo and Khaka hand sign was disturbing. I think Deeks is the one who is going to need the luck!
– Kensi: I hope you choke on your liver! (No riding of any wild surf going on here!)
– Ok, we got Deeks to admit the fact he enjoyed touching Kensi. But Kensi is not impressed. One step forward…..one step back. Oh well….
In this week’s interview chair we had a chance to speak with the multi-talented Greg Cipes about working with Kensi and Deeks. Find out what he says about his experience on the set of NCIS Los Angeles and what it’s like to be a successful voice over artist. Next week’s episode, Collateral, co-stars Nick Puga. He will be our featured guest interview next week, so come back and join us again for all the excitement at NCISLA Magazine.
