‘Where There's Smoke...’ is an
episode which has whetted the appetite of many a fan girl (and maybe some
guys). Yes it’s the one where Sam and Callen go undercover as firemen,
much to the chagrin of Deeks, who fancies himself as Mr November. And
even Nell shares that common fantasy, sighing at the screen in ops each time a
fireman appears.
For once there are logical reasons
why neither Kensi or Deeks are suitable to go undercover despite both being
keen to do so, later commenting they would both want to run into a burning
building. But the LAFD overlaps with Deeks LAPD precinct and there
is a risk he might be recognised. As fire fighters do not take
kindly to strangers, let alone a female, Sam and Callen are the remaining
options. The former had ship side fire drills as a SEAL, the latter spent his
eighteenth summer as a wildfire prevention volunteer (presumably not as
part of any youth prisoner rehabilitation).
The team is hostile to new transfers and
Callen bites back a sarcastic comment when asked his name (pointing to his
badge); Sam wins most of them round with a steak. There is humour when
the fire alarm sounds, with Callen trying to persuade Sam that he does have
time to go down the pole. On the job the two assume the role of rookies;
Sam is solid but Callen's partner catches him without his oxygen switched
on. The fire scenes are dark and smoky with flames licking the rooms and
the action becomes intense, particularly knowing the inexperience of Callen and
Sam. But they do get a kick out of saving the female hostage (missing DOD
Lieutenant) and apprehending the man impersonating a fire man.
As is the most welcomed trend of season
seven, there are numerous references to past episodes. Deeks is convinced
that as his life is going so well, something is due to happen that will upset
the apple cart. Kensi seriously asks if Mercury is in retrograde
(reference season five’s The Livelong Day). This continues until Deeks
realises the ill feelings have been fulfilled - his mom (with a terrible track
record in men) - has found herself a man. Kensi too refers to her past,
citing the marines that killed her father as evidence team mates can turn on
each other. Most important is the continuation of Deek’s gut-feeling that
something bad will happen. Hetty feels this too, although she attributes
this to the mole who is still at large. It seems certain s/he will not be
found until season eight. Hetty is uncharacteristically hesitant in the
shooting range, almost seeming ill. The final scene between her and Granger
dwells on this gut feeling of impending disaster. Kensi’s comment about
fellow marines turning might only have been pertinent to the earlier team
scene, but with the theme of imminent disaster, could Kensi’s comment be a
prophecy that someone in their team is the mole?
Callen has publicly acknowledged his real
name, updating his NCIS ID (can he do that without a birth certificate)?
This is the third collaboration between
writer Andrew Bartels and director James Hanlon. They bring a certain surety to
the episodes with Bartels writing focusing on the characters, referencing their
back stories and often nodding back to previous episodes. Hanlon to this
episode in particular, brings with him the experience of having been a real
life fire fighter in New York, and the pedigree of directing the award winning
9/11 television documentary.
