NCIS: Los Angeles - Deep Trouble Part 2 - Review: "Deep Satisfaction"

The conclusion to last season’s cliffhanger finale of “NCIS: Los Angeles” was worth the wait. The premiere of season six, “Deep Trouble Part 2,” was an exciting ride. And that says a lot since there was really no question whether Sam and Callen would make it out of the submarine. Viewers knew the two main characters wouldn’t die so the outcome was a given. But the fall premiere still managed to thrill, entertain and tug at the heartstrings. Fantastic dialogue and interaction filled the episode; the characters were fun to watch and many of the scenes left you laughing out loud. It was the perfect way to start off the new season.

“Deep Trouble Part 2” begins right where the finale ended. Kensi and Deeks are panicked when they realize the submarine has left and Sam and Callen are stuck inside without any outside communication. But if anyone has to be stuck in a sub, it’s these two. They immediately start making plans of their own and it doesn’t take long before Sam’s brilliance shines through. Seriously, if I were in trouble, this is the man I would want with me figuring things out! Sam is a lot more technical than I realized. He is a math and science genius. He confirms he was a “mathlete” in school. Though Callen teases him, his skills and expertise come in very handy. From trying to determine where they are in the ocean to calculating how long their oxygen will last, Sam’s knowledge is a valuable asset.

Their partner dynamics also cracked me up. While Sam was stressed out – you could almost see his sweat beading and his mind working overtime – Callen appeared fearless. It was almost as if he wasn’t worried about what would happen. At one point Sam told Callen, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this excited about a suicide plan,” and he did seem to be relishing the challenge. Callen treated the situation with humor and lightheartedness, which made it amusing to watch. In fact he reminded me a lot of Sam – confident and fearless. In a way I felt like the two almost traded roles in this episode: Sam became the practical one and Callen plowed ahead confidently, not worrying about a negative outcome. It was fun to see them take on each other’s characteristics and the humor made it even more enjoyable. In the midst of their predicament Callen’s jokes annoyed Sam but also kept the mood light and their attitude positive. The balance was great. They both knew they had to stop the sub from blowing up a Navy warship in San Diego, which might mean giving their lives, but they weren’t about to give up easily. When Sam was preparing for the worst and writing a letter to his family, Callen emphasized to him that they weren’t going to die. It was this teamwork, camaraderie and encouragement that kept them both going.

In the meantime, Hetty has learned what’s going on and has threatened the driver who is escorting her to Washington DC that she might use a lipstick gun on him if he doesn’t turn around. (Hilarious!) But the threat works and she heads back to Ops. It was great to see Hetty back with the team. She cares about them too much to not help them in a dangerous situation. So her Washington troubles are put on hold for now.

As Kensi and Deeks frantically try to help their friends, the characters both have some great moments in this episode – together and separately. There is obviously still a “turf war” going on between Kensi and Talia. Kensi doesn’t want Talia to be alone with Deeks, so she steps in to work with Talia instead. That leaves Deeks on his own, interrogating a suspect in the hospital with ties to the submarine drug shipment. These scenes were hilarious. Deeks questioned the man about calling cops “pigs,” he talked about how girls dig NCIS employees, he lied and told the man he was going to die and then he taunted him with fake alcohol. I love Deeks! He just has this carefree, laid-back, charming, nothing-to-lose, know-it-all attitude that is so fun to watch. In the end he gets the information he needs out of the man.

Left to themselves, the girls can’t help but continue their catfight. The last one they had seemed silly and unbelievable and inconsistent with their characters, albeit kind of fun. But this time, despite a few cheesy lines, I thought the scene was much more plausible. Maybe it’s because Kensi wasn’t as goofy in her jealousy. Instead of flaunting her physical assets and acting jealous and insecure around Deeks, she acted self-assured and territorial. She displayed toughness with a “back off” attitude that stayed true to her character. And it made it more interesting to watch. This time around Kensi was secure enough with whatever has happened between her and Deeks to not act threatened by Talia. She still didn’t like Talia telling her what to do with Deeks. But she had no control over that. Talia clearly knew something was going on with them and wanted to get under Kensi’s skin. Her goal worked.

I think I gasped when Kensi head-butted Talia. I wasn’t expecting them to get physical and thought it was pretty funny that Kensi chose to respond to Talia’s threats by butting her in the head. It was one of those scenes that made me think to myself, “Oh, no she didn’t!” while secretly cheering. I have to say, I really liked this scene – it was one of my favorites in the episode. Of course, Talia dished it right back by punching Kensi, leaving Kensi with a bloody lip. Not only did the girl fight surprise me, which I love, but it solidified Kensi’s toughness and fearlessness. Just like she doesn’t let bad guys get away with anything, Kensi is also not going to let Talia get away with encroaching on her relationship with Deeks.

But just when you thought the women were never going to get along, they realize that the submarine is going to be used as a bomb and then kick into gear to save Sam and Callen. When we next see them together they are suddenly friends, a transition I found a little bit odd. They went from hating each other to working together to suddenly being good friends. I almost felt like there was a scene missing in between – but it didn’t really bother me because leaving Deeks on the outside of the triangle was such a comical development. It was fun to watch Kensi and Talia gang up against Deeks with their inside jokes and secrets. Suddenly Deeks goes from being the one they were fighting over to the one they are laughing at together, which he clearly doesn’t like. After they make fun of him and high-five each other in the car, it was funny to watch Deeks stammer and stutter around: “No, no. What’s that? I don’t like this – I don’t like that, not at all, not one bit!” And then he opens himself up to ridicule when he asks Kensi if he is missing something and Kensi replies, “Yes – it’s called a cerebral cortex.” Slam! I love it when these two make fun of each other.

And there was no shortage of that in this episode, thanks to their short undercover scene posing as an engaged couple. I loved how Deeks couldn’t resist making fun of Kensi and harassing her as they talked to the Chinese woman at the restaurant where the sub’s drugs were being hidden and cut. Deeks just can’t stop himself. He embarrasses Kensi by first saying she asked him to marry her, and then admitting her sister turned him down and she was the second-place trophy wife. It was so funny. He had Kensi squirming. And then suddenly it turns serious and sweet when the woman says Kensi will make a beautiful bride and Deeks agrees. I love how the writers find small ways in the midst of joking around to throw in these sweet moments. While Kensi doesn’t know how to react to the comment, the scene affirmed that these two partners still have “it.” Their connection and the way they make fun of each other comprise the core of their charm.

After finding the drugs, the NCIS team has a new worry – the Navy plans to destroy the submarine. So Granger arranges for Kensi and Deeks to scour the scene from a helicopter. As they’re doing that, the water in the sub (that Sam and Callen let in to flood it) has filled so much of the hatch that the bad guys have to open the door to pump the water out – and that means a shootout with Sam and Callen. But the two partners are prepared and end up victorious in the gun battle. As the sub floods, they have to make their escape. Again, Sam’s spectacular science knowledge comes into play as he tells Callen they have to scream all the way to the surface or the air will expand and explode their lungs. I love how Callen just laughed at this.

By the time the Navy sends a torpedo to blow up the sub, the NCIS team all looked so sad that I almost teared up, even knowing they were going to be fine. When Kensi and Deeks see the foamy ring from the underwater explosion, they think their friends are dead. In that moment, Deeks doesn't even think twice - he grabs Kensi's arm and their hands slip right into one another's. It was a seamless, natural gesture of comfort that affirmed both their mutual support and affection for one another. When something goes wrong, these two are always there for each other - they have learned to depend on one another. And when they don't stop to think about it, their closeness becomes almost an instinctive reflex.

Fortunately for us, though, Kensi and Deeks' fears do not come true. Sam and Callen make it to the surface and have a funny banter about their predicament in the middle of the ocean. And then my emotions got the best of me. When Kensi and Deeks spotted them in the ocean and told the rest of the team they’d been found, it was a great moment that showed how much they all care about each other.

As the episode ends, Hetty advises Granger that he should tell Washington the truth. Hetty is still in hot water. It will be interesting to see what happens to her next. While she contemplates her future, the rest of the team celebrate their big win. Deeks (calling Eric and Nell the “nerd herd”) brings them all a “depth charge” drink – a smaller shot of alcohol dropped into a larger glass of beer. The name of the drink (and the effect that happens when they drop in the alcohol) mimics the underwater submarine “depth charge” explosion that Sam and Callen just escaped. As they all take in the intended irony, they toast to friends and partners: a fitting ending for the great relationships that have come to define this show.


Great quotes:

Granger: “What the hell was that?”
Nell: “It’s Hetty.”
Granger: “Where is she?”
Eric: “Everywhere.”
Granger: “Well, turn her off.”

Hetty: “I have a lipstick gun in my purse and I’m not afraid to use it.”

Deeks: “I’m a detective with LAPD.”
Mr. Wilson: “I hate pigs.”
Deeks: “But apparently love nostalgia. Seriously, who calls cops pigs anymore?”

Deeks: “I’m currently assigned to NCIS – Naval Criminal Investigative Services. You heard of it? No? No? Well, we’re pretty cool. Chicks dig us, which is awesome!”

Talia: “I’m not trying to poach your boyfriend.”
Kensi: “Deeks is not my boyfriend – he’s my partner.”
Talia: “My God, you guys are both in denial. No wonder you’re wired so tight.”
Kensi: “You can shut up any second now.”
Talia: “You know, if I were you, I would just go for it – have a full-on freak-fest weekend, get it out of your system before you blow an O-ring or something.”
Kensi: “No wonder you like him – you both talk like idiots.”
Talia: “Careful, honey. Don’t let all that pent-up sexual frustration force you to say something you’re going to regret.”
Kensi: “You need to step off.”
Talia: “You need to let that boy under your hood for a little oil change – before somebody else does.”
Kensi: “Is that a threat?”
Talia: “No, that’s a fact.”
Kensi: “Well here’s a threat – stay away from my partner.”
Talia: “That’s a warning. ‘Get out of my face before I break that pretty nose of yours.’ That’s a threat.”

Mr. Wilson: “I refuse to die.”
Deeks: “I refuse to grow up. Actually, that’s working out pretty well for me.”

Sam: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this excited about a suicide plan.”

Sam: “I’m writing a letter to Michelle and the kids.”
Callen: “We’re getting out of here, Sam.”
Sam: “In case we don’t.”
Callen: “Well, tell her I died saving your life, will you?”
Sam: “You’re joking about a letter my family’s going to read after I’m dead?”
Callen: “Too soon?”
Sam: “What’s wrong with you?”
Callen: “Never heard of black humor?”

Deeks: “Am I missing something?”
Kensi: “Yes – it’s called a cerebral cortex.”

Kensi: “We’re getting married.”
Chinese lady: “Congratulations.”
Deeks: “Thank you. To be completely honest, I thought she’d never ask.”
Kensi: “He’s kidding – he’s a kidder.”
Deeks: “Guilty as charged. I asked her – but only after her sister turned me down.”
Kensi: “Will you stop it? She’s going to think you’re serious!”
Deeks: “It’s not as bad as it sounds, Madge. They’re identical twins and you can only marry one at a time in this state – and I wanted a trophy wife. So second place it is. Second place!”
Chinese lady: “You’re going to make a beautiful bride.”
Deeks: “I agree.”

Callen: “I like it when a plan comes together. I think that’s where you say, ‘I pity the fool that messes with me.’”
Sam: “I’m starting to think I would have been better off with Deeks.”

Sam: “All that muscle mass takes up a lot of oxygen. If we get out of here, you might want to think about taking up Pilates.”
Sam: “How about you stop talking and conserve air?”

Sam: “You still thinking about getting that boat?”
Callen: “You think that’s funny?”
Sam: “It’s pretty funny.”
Callen: “You remember to grab your car keys back there?”
Sam: “Son of a bitch!”
Callen: “Looks like we’re swimming home and walking home!”

Deeks: “So how are my little mermaids?”


What did you think of the season six premiere? What was your favorite part of the episode? Favorite quote? Let us know in the comments below.

About the Author - Tonya Papanikolas

Tonya Papanikolas is a freelance 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 is excited to cover NCIS: Los Angeles for SpoilerTV. (She loves Kensi and Deeks!) She also writes SpoilerTV articles on other great shows.