NCIS: Los Angeles - Home Is Where the Heart Is - Review: "Character-Driven Story"

“Home Is Where the Heart Is” finds the NCIS: Los Angeles team tracking down the secret identity of a maintenance man who stops a home invasion of a Navy Lt. Commander. After the man is hailed a hero, he suspiciously ducks out of the spotlight. As the team digs deeper, they find he is a former Mossad agent whose co-worker-turned-enemy is after his daughter. NCIS works to help him, saving the daughter and her father.

After waking up from her coma, Kensi is struggling to deal with her physical limitations. Deeks tries to be patient but Kensi is scared and takes her frustration out on him. Anna once again helps the team in the field, along with Nell. And Sam tries to get Callen to go with him to a Los Angeles Rams football game.

“NCIS: Los Angeles” has really hit its stride this season. The writing team is consistently showing they know how to maximize great character-driven story elements. This week was no exception. I liked the honorable character of Martin, the ex-Mossad agent. Callen’s final conversation with him was a highlight. Seeing Kensi struggle was heartbreaking. But it’s also creating great drama. Eric’s concern for Nell was sweet. And Granger’s pep talk to Deeks was a special moment. It was another great week for “NCIS: Los Angeles.”

Sam and Callen

Sam’s excitement over getting Rams tickets was so palpable, it was sad to see him disappointed when Callen doesn’t want to go with him. Callen claims he just wants to sit on his couch and watch the game – he’s not big on crowds or the downtown traffic. Sam points out the reasons make no sense since they go to basketball games downtown all the time. In the end it turns out Callen wanted to go; he was just buying time until a gift arrived – two jerseys he bought with the Callen/Sam aliases “Mr. Carl” and “Switch” printed on them. In the meantime, though, it was funny to watch Eric and Anna try to convince Sam to take them to the game. (I especially couldn’t picture Sam going to the game with Eric in his body paint, beer hat, foam finger and pom-poms. I would have loved to see that, though!)

As Callen and Sam start looking into Martin, they visit his minimalist apartment. Of course, Callen identifies and says there’s something to be said for not being “owned by your stuff.” To this, Sam replies, “Yeah, it says you’re cheap.” I always love their banter about Callen’s minimalistic tendencies. They each see things so differently on this front.

When they finally arrest Martin and interrogate him, he is evasive and snappy. But Sam and Callen eventually get him to talk. I loved how Sam and Callen both wanted to help him after learning his daughter was in danger. They identify with him being “hardwired to do the right thing” (stepping in to help his Navy neighbor even though he was trying to lay low). Sam knows Granger will not approve because it’s not their fight. But when Callen asks his partner if they’re going to let that stop them, Sam says no, the good guys have to stick together. I enjoy watching these two go rogue when they feel strongly about something. Thankfully for everyone, they have good judgment.

When they finally find the daughter, she is unconscious in a chemical barrel. Sam has to give her CPR but it works and she starts breathing again. Then they save her father in a shootout. Sam even has to break through a wall to get the bad guy, with Callen joking: “Door no good for you?” But of course it’s no big deal for Sam.

Finally we see Callen at the hospital with Martin, who says he owes Callen. Martin has not been able to be a part of his daughter’s life because the girl’s mother didn’t like all the secrecy and hiding associated with his job. So now he only watches over them from afar – exactly like Callen’s father. When Martin admits he has to leave again, Callen tells him he can repay his debt by being the girl’s father. Callen emphasizes to Martin that if he walks away, the girl will have a “void where her father was supposed to be for the rest of her life.” Callen is speaking from experience. He doesn’t want to see that happen to another child. Callen knows the pain of being left behind, even for noble reasons. Just like this man, Callen’s father thought he was doing the best thing for his child. But Callen knows a child can never see it that way. So he uses his personal experience to guide this family. The scene was touching. And the conversation was effective. When Martin walks into the room and touches his daughter’s hand, she wakes up, incredulous that her father is there. She cries and they hug. The scene also signaled a foreshadowing of Callen getting to know his own father soon.

Kensi and Deeks

Kensi’s recovery is hitting her hard. She is vulnerable and scared, thinking of the potential worst outcome: never being able to walk again. In fact, she can’t stop thinking about it. It’s heartbreaking to watch. Deeks constantly encourages her, telling her how great she is doing. But Kensi wants to go home. This is a side of Kensi we don’t often see, one where she wants to run. Kensi is used to facing everything, but this situation is different. This time her future is unknown and frightening, and she doesn’t know how to face it. Deeks encourages her and reassures her and makes her laugh. But the lightheartedness doesn’t last long.

Doctors soon tell Kensi the left side of her body has some paralysis and her brain can’t detect certain parts of her body. And the right side can’t feel pain or temperature. The news understandably upsets her. But when the doctor offers her a silver lining, she doesn’t take it in. He suggests her improvements might point to spinal cord bruising and not permanent injury. But Kensi only wants to know how she can get better. She asks it almost robotically, not fully processing all the information. And once again she focuses on the hard part of the news – it may take four to six months to see what body function can be restored.

One thing I loved about Kensi’s storyline is how real it felt. It can be very hard to focus on the positive when you’re slapped with tough news and circumstances. And that’s what happens to Kensi. She is extremely frustrated, and she doesn’t know how to deal with this frustration. And like so many of us do in real life, she takes out that frustration on the one closest to her, who is looking out for her best interest. Deeks makes a sweet gesture to wheel her outside so she can have a change of scenery. But when she sees an older person with a walker, she is reminded of her fears and wants to go inside again. Deeks tries to be his charming self, having ordered one of her favorite foods. But she’s not hungry because she’s worried about her future. “What’s gonna happen to me?” she asks Deeks. Once again, he patiently encourages her, telling her she will take one day at a time, getting better every day. But Kensi can’t take the positivity. Her mind is waging war on her and she’s stuck in the battle. When you’re in that place and not fighting back, it’s very difficult to be hopeful.

Since Kensi doesn’t feel like she is getting better, she begins to cry, saying she may never walk again. Deeks insists she will walk and be even stronger and faster than before. But Kensi is so entrenched in worry, she can’t hear it. And suddenly she has to leave. She won't even let Deeks help her back to her room. She asks a nurse to take her back and instructs the nurse not to allow any more visitors. After trying to do something nice for Kensi, Deeks is left alone, his eyes full of hurt. He is trying his best and doesn't seem to be getting anywhere.

But as Granger told him, it just matters that he's trying. I loved the conversation Granger had with him. Inside, Deeks is just as scared as Kensi – but for different reasons. He is scared he won’t live up to helping her through this difficult time. He’s placing a lot of pressure on himself. He confides in Granger he can’t tell if he is comforting Kensi or just himself. And even though he would go to the ends of the earth for Kensi, he says he really doesn’t know how to do that. He worries he isn’t helping Kensi enough. Then Granger tells him what he really needs to hear: The only way Deeks will fail Kensi is if he quits. As long as he’s trying, that’s all that matters. “So don’t quit. You’ve got this,” Granger coaches him.

And Deeks didn’t give up. When Callen asked Deeks how Kensi was, he did not seem hopeless or despondent. He simply remarked it had been a rough day and he realized his charm had its limitations. Charm isn’t going to fix the situation. But being there for Kensi will offer her support. She is not alone. And neither is Deeks; his team is there for him. Together, I believe they will get through this challenge.

Eric, Nell and Granger

Eric and Nell had both some funny and sweet moments together this episode. That scene with Nell slapping Eric’s hands with a wooden stick was fantastically comical. When he says they are trying to build up his “controller game strength” for the Xbox Games, I laughed out loud. Only these two would think of this absurd game prep. They seem horrified when Deeks notes the dominatrix/S&M parallels to their training.

Then things turn sweet when Nell and Anna are caught in an explosion. Eric is so concerned, he can’t stop watching the explosion video. And when he gets the chance to talk to Callen, he immediately asks how Nell is and how they can get the guy who hurt her. Eric’s relieved to find out she’s okay. When Nell returns to the office, Eric lets her know he was worried to death about losing her. Nell is grateful for his concern, and shows him by kissing him – on the lips, it looked like! Nonetheless, the kiss didn’t feel romantic. It felt more emotionally grateful. Nell knows how much Eric cares and appreciates his genuine friendship. They both care about each other. They have a deep connection. And it seems to go beyond friends. But it is also not rushed toward romance. And that felt appropriate. When Nell tells him how sweet he is, Eric wraps his arms around Nell, glad she is okay. Their embrace was real and comforting and again showed a genuine connection between these two.

As for Granger, I enjoyed how he didn’t even flinch when he heard Deeks call him “Granger Grumpy-Pants” and “Herr Geezemeister.” In fact, it made me laugh when he told Deeks he’d been called “way worse by much better.” And then later he turned around and asked Deeks to call him Granger. I love how far Granger has come. He may be grumpy, but he’s also soft-hearted.

Other Thoughts

- It looks like Anna will be getting that job at ATF. I wonder if we will see her less after that.

- It amused me that Deeks gave him and Granger a “couple name” – Greeks (combining Granger and Deeks).

- Did you notice how Callen watched Anna when she was distraught at watching the young girl almost die?

- Did you also notice how Nell kissed Eric in front of two other employees in Ops? At the end of the scene can you see two girls sitting at a far desk. Awkward! But Nell and Eric didn’t seem to notice anyone else in the room!

- I can’t believe Anna let Nell drive her new sports car! Deeks tried to warn her but she learned the hard way what a crazy driver Nell is!

- I enjoyed the Anna/Deeks banter at the chemical plant about Deeks once making out with a girl in a place like this. It’s funny that he is so proud of being a teenage “player.”

What did you think of "Home Is Where the Heart Is?" Did you have a favorite scene? Do you think Kensi will able to overcome her worry and move forward with Deeks? Are you enjoying this season? Let us know your thoughts 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.