I find that as the releases of various series make it to DVD
I’m writing repetitively about the fact that more and more shows have a feeling
that the characters involved have a family feel to them, a dynamic that places
them in various jobs or situations but that the characters relate to one
another as a family would. Personally I look at this as a positive thing. All
of us would love to live in a world where we related to one another, especially
in the workplace, as family. So when I watched this season of NCIS: LOS ANGELES
I was struck once more with that feeling, and in watching it as a fan the cast
begins to feel like our extended family as well.
Season Six kicks off with Callen (Chris O’Donnell) and Sam (LL
Cool J) still trapped in the submarine we saw them in at the end of the last
cliffhanging episode of season five. While not actually a spoiler you know
they’ll get out fine, otherwise this season would be more of an introduction of
completely new characters rather than those we’ve grown accustomed to. Other
topics in this season include a possible mole in their group, murder by drone,
Callen becoming a hostage while undercover and being sent far and wide around
the globe.
But as with most seasons of this series there are two main
focuses that happen. The first and foremost is that the team here is less about
investigating murders and such (which I always felt the original NCIS did) and
more about confronting the threat of terrorist organizations that might attack
the U.S. The second is always a secondary story that seems to involve one of
the cast members. This time around it’s Hetty (Linda Hunt) who is under
investigation by the Department of Justice for possible misdeeds of her past.
When something like this happens it always seems to be the efforts of a
politician more inclined to furthering his own goals and power than it is about
finding out the truth or protecting the country. Never let it be said that
television programs aren’t always as up to date on Washington as we might
think.
We also get to see the relationship between Kensi (Daniella
Ruah) and Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen) play out as well. The romantic
inclination between these two has been going on since season one but never was
realized until the last two. This season it appears that they have taken to
spending the nights at one another’s houses. As they become closer they also
find the feat that underlies falling in love with someone as well as trying to
keep things professional at work. It’s one of those deals where everyone knows
they’re seeing one another even if they’re not supposed to but no one is
worried about it.
The final episode leaves us once more with unanswered questions
concerning the family of Callen with an episode that involves the recurring
character of Arkady Kolcheck (Vyto Ruginis). The episode takes the crew to
Russia where they take on various undercover identities to search for a
suspect. Not only does it offer clues to Callen’s father that are left open, it
ends the season with a search for Arkady that picks up in the new season that
began last week as of this writing.
What makes the series work is the comradery that runs
through the team presented here. It’s a closeness that, as I said, appears to
create an extended family between them. Even the most stalwart of the group,
their leader Hetty, has a deeply devoted affection for each and every one of
the team members. Their willingness to step outside of the bounds of comfort to
rescue or stand up for one another makes them a formidable force when dealing
with the bad guys that they do. It also runs into the more personal aspects of
their life. Knowing that someone would go the distance for you would make a
near unbeatable force to be reckoned with and this team appears to be just
that.
By the end of the season we fans have grown more fascinated
by the team presented, more involved in their stories and have gained a deeper
feeling for each and every one of them. There is no single performance here to
judge as above the others. Each one of the actors brings their A game and none
appear better than the rest. That says a lot about the behind the scenes
comradery that they must certainly share as well. To make it through one season
and still work well is one thing, to make it through six and head into a
seventh says a lot more. In the end fans will love that they can have this
series on their shelf and perhaps others will gravitate towards it with the
availability to do so. I for one hope that it continues on for some time.
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