NCIS: Los Angeles - Cancel Christmas - Review: "Holiday Fun"

After all the drama with Deeks’ internal affairs investigation, “Cancel Christmas” was a wonderful, fun, lighthearted holiday treat. In the episode, the NCIS team investigates the death of a suspected North Korean spy in Los Angeles. That investigation leads them to an import/export dealer who just got out of prison, and a woman who calls herself Jennifer Kim – who might just be Granger’s daughter.

This was a classic Christmas episode with touches of holiday spirit woven into almost every scene, from candy cane dances, to reindeer car antlers, to talk of the team’s Christmas plans. The main characters took center stage, entertaining us and making us smile. We also got a few great unexpected moments. Deeks telling Kensi the truth about the internal affairs investigation was a wonderful holiday surprise! Plus, we learned a little more about Granger. Everything about this episode was joyful and fun.

Sam and Callen

Once again we got a peek into Callen’s bare home – with sparse furniture and no holiday decorations. Sam is amused, until he sees a prison-sent Christmas card on Callen’s mantle from Janvier – the “one-armed psychopath” who wants to kill Callen. Sam didn’t like that this card was right next to his family picture. In the midst of their conversation, Sam spots Joelle – wearing nothing but a men’s shirt. When they leave the house, Sam grills his partner about why she’s there. Callen claims they did break up, but they’re both alone for the holidays so they’ve chosen to enjoy one another’s company a little longer. I loved Sam’s response: “Nothing says peace on earth and good will toward men like a booty call.” Callen isn’t fazed, though. He brushes off the comment and gives Sam a gift – reindeer antlers for his car. Callen had to have known Sam would detest this gift, which made it even better. As Callen puts the decorations on the car, Sam gets madder and madder, and throws one of the antlers out the window. Callen knew just how to get under Sam’s skin.

Later Sam asks Callen if he and Joelle are exchanging gifts since they’ll be together for Christmas. Callen tells him they already talked about it and decided not to. But Sam knows better. He forewarns Callen that Joelle likely got him something anyway, so Callen should be prepared with a backup gift. For once Callen appreciates Sam’s advice about women.

In the end, we see Callen and Joelle together. It was cute that she went out of her way to cook a nice holiday dinner for them. And it was good he had a gift because Sam was right. Once again, we see their problem is his job. They care about each other but she can’t get past her fears. She worries about him not coming home. Her New Year’s resolution is to no longer date people who might not come home at night. With that, Callen suggests they take until the end of the year to enjoy one another. I had no problem with their decision. Breaking up is a hard thing to do, and Callen deserves some happiness. So if spending a little more time during the holidays with a woman he loves makes him happy, why not? He might as well enjoy the holiday season before having to start fresh.

I appreciated a lot of little touches with Sam and Callen this week, like Mike Hobbs throwing up on Sam’s boots, and the fight between Callen and Jennifer Kim. Jennifer was tough but she clearly didn’t know who she was dealing with. Callen dropped her onto that table like a ninja. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Callen and Mike Hobbs. The man was an idiot, but Callen still showed him kindness and encouragement. Callen has a soft spot for people trying to make a better life for themselves. This made it even better when Hobbs turned out to know about the North Korean spies. I loved how Callen tackled him in the animal shelter and then put him in an animal cage. But he still protected Hobbs when they set up the sting operation to apprehend the North Koreans.

It was also nice to see Sam’s son Aiden again, on a break from the military. Apparently he wants to be an agent like his dad. But Sam did not seem thrilled about that idea. Of course, Callen took advantage of that to encourage Aiden. But while Callen was the fun uncle, Sam was the overprotective father. I thought it was cute that Aiden called Callen his “Uncle G.”

Deeks and Kensi

It was sweet to see Deeks and Kensi trying to figure out a way they could spend Christmas together and make each of their moms happy at the same time. (I was amused how Deeks said his mom does not play well with others.) As Sam points out to them, it’s not an easy thing to unite two families. It was funny that Deeks’ solution was to “elope,” abandoning their difficult moms and hanging out just the two of them. But in the end Sam had an even better solution: inviting them and their mothers to his house for Christmas. I love the idea of all of them being together on Christmas! (Earlier Sam mentioned Callen coming over, too.)

We also saw Deeks in typical guy mode, flirting with the sexy Santa in her skimpy outfit. This was a fun scene. I loved how Kensi complained she was working while Deeks was “perving!” Deeks then proceeds to tell Kensi she would look great in that sexy Santa suit. But Kensi isn’t impressed. She points out the double standard in men wanting women to wear sexy lingerie while they wear T-shirts and ripped undies. But Deeks claims he’d be happy to switch with her so she can wear the ripped undies. Deeks is hilarious! Kensi then takes the banter further by claiming she always wanted a Mr. Santa. Deeks couldn’t get that image out of his mind!

Later Deeks asks Kensi what she would want for Christmas, if she could have anything. Her answer was amusing. She reminded me of Deeks as she went on and on about wanting a baby tiger, and how cool it would be to train it to work with her. Their roles were pleasantly reversed here: Kensi was on a rant this time while Deeks just stared at her like she was crazy.

But that crazy conversation later led to a wonderful moment when Kensi asked Deeks the same question. Instead of goofing off, he immediately gets serious and tells her his ultimate Christmas gift would be forgiveness – for not telling her something. I couldn’t believe what was happening as they took out their earpieces. I wasn’t expecting Deeks to tell her the truth so soon (or the writers to deal with this issue right away). But I was thrilled. Deeks didn’t even hesitate, or care about the weird timing. He wanted to reveal the truth to Kensi about the internal affairs case, even after Hetty’s warning last week. This was thoughtful and sweet on his part. It showed how much he cares about Kensi. So Deeks tells her he was trying to protect her and NCIS by not saying anything, but he was the one who killed Boyle in order to protect Tiffany.

I especially loved Kensi’s reaction. Surprisingly, she knew the truth and didn’t care. She had figured it out somewhere along the way. And she wasn’t mad at Deeks at all. She told him she figured he would tell her when he was ready. And she readily accepted his apology, saying she just wants no more secrets between them. I loved that both characters had tears in their eyes as they talked about the case. Deeks appreciated Kensi’s understanding, and Kensi knew how hard the situation was for Deeks. They both demonstrated understanding with each other, and this became a tender, sweet moment that made for a wonderfully gratifying scene. Kensi was so understanding that Deeks couldn’t help but express how much he loved her. It was cute that he didn’t care they were on the job – he needed to kiss her right then. His persistence won out – though hesitant Kensi gave him the most uncomfortable, awkward kiss possible. But Deeks shouldn’t worry – I’m sure he will be getting better kisses at home!

Eric and Nell

I was really happy to see Eric and Nell in some fun scenes this week. They were so cute together, enjoying the Christmas spirit. I loved their candy cane dance. They were so into their rehearsal when Granger caught them!

Then Eric shows up in his elf shoes and gets no love from the team. This was adorable. Sam didn’t want to be working during the holidays so when he sees Eric, he immediately tells him, “Go back to your cyber cave, Jingle Bells.” Callen then comments that Sam broke Eric’s little elfin heart. Eric did look pretty disappointed.

Next we see Eric smuggle cookie contraband into Ops – snowman cookies for him and Nell. We all know Hetty doesn’t allow food in Ops, and Nell often enforces the rules. But this time she is happy for the smuggled treats. Their holiday spirit supersedes the rules. (Later when we hear Eric on the phone with Deeks, we learn he must have eaten a lot more cookies because he is on a crazy sugar rush.)

Finally we see Eric and Nell try to sneak away in their toy soldier costumes as they head off to their Toys for Tots appearance. They looked so adorable in those outfits, with their bright rosy cheeks! This time when Granger catches them, he comments on how great they look. That leaves them with the biggest smiles as they joyfully leave to spread more holiday cheer.

Granger and Hetty

It was nice to see the writers delving into Granger’s character this week, something that’s long overdue. Granger begins in a more humbug mood than usual. He was really annoyed to see Nell and Eric so happy. And he was spending lots of time at the shooting range. It was clear something was making him extra grumpy this holiday season.

He also looked very contemplative when he watched Jennifer Kim on the video screen at the boatshed. We soon learn why. When he talks to Jennifer himself, he reveals that he knows her – and knew her mother. He even showed Jennifer a picture of the two of them, looking very much like a couple. Was he in love with her mom? All he says is her mother shot him in the butt a few weeks after the picture was taken. Obviously her mother was a North Korean spy and Granger had some kind of relationship with her. That highly suggests this girl could be his daughter! Does Granger really have a daughter? I loved the thought. Just getting this tiny glimpse into his personal life was fascinating. We need to know more about Granger’s history and personal life. The episode left me with a lot of questions. How long did Granger date this woman? Did he know she was a spy? He mentioned she was wearing a wig the first time he met her. Wasn’t that a clue she worked in espionage? Yet he still got involved. I wonder what she told him to reel him in. And poor guy – he must have been hurt when she turned on him and shot him. I want to know more!

I was glad he and Hetty ended up spending some time together. He needed a friend. Though he didn’t give her much information, at least she was there for him when he needed someone.

Other Thoughts

- I loved how the episode opened with the cute toy train animation. This clever, unique opening set the perfect tone for the episode.

- Wasn’t it great how Sam had to deal with Hetty after Deeks made fun of her “elfin quality?”

- Deeks was hilarious as he told the team he was voted Best Hair at the LAPD!

- I loved the scene at the craft fair where they all take down the North Koreans. Kensi posing as a mom was great, and Sam’s fighting was awesome! But my favorite was Deeks in his Santa suit, falling on the guy from above and then telling the kids that is what happens when someone is naughty.

- How thoughtful of Hetty to give Callen a backup gift for Joelle! I’d like Hetty to pick out all my gifts this year.


What did you think of "Cancel Christmas?" Do you think Jennifer Kim is Granger's daughter? Were you surprised Deeks told Kensi the truth about the IA case? Join our discussion in the comments below.

About the Author - Tonya Papanikolas

Tonya Papanikolas is an online, print and broadcast journalist who loves covering entertainment and television. She spent more than 10 years as a broadcast news anchor/reporter and now does everything from hosting to writing. She loves covering NCIS: Los Angeles for SpoilerTV. (She's a big fan of Kensi and Deeks!) She also writes SpoilerTV articles on other great shows.