High
Society opens with the team concluding a case. Lieutenant Commander Daniel
Palmer crashes through the ceiling of a yoga studio, where Sam shoots him again
and again, until he is finally dead. As has occurred several times in recent
seasons, the case the team believe is closed actually turns out to be not quite
finished. Sam and Kensi visit the coroner to understand Palmer's superhuman
moves, which are linked to a type of drug utilised by terrorist groups and
coincidentally found to be the cause of death in a number of bodies stacked up
in the mortuary. From here the team investigate how the drug is on the streets
of LA and funding terrorist activities.
In a similar vein to the Christmas episode 'Answers', before the case takes
them in another direction, the team are seen winding down. This allows
interesting and somewhat crucial insights into their private lives, more so for
some than others. Callen remains in the boatshed to 'finish up some things',
opening his laptop once Kensi and Nell leave, with the clear intention (based
on recent episodes) of searching for Anna Kolcheck. The next morning's
activities are more fun with the return of Mamma Deeks, prompting the usual
quick witted conversations between her and her son. Sam visits a coffee shop he
knows Katherine Casillas (seen earlier this season in Provenance and Concours
D'Elegance) frequents and conveniently bumps in to her, flirting and setting up
the possibility for future 'meetings'. Even Eric and Nell have the opportunity
to reflect on their relationship and the fact Eric struggles to handle any form
of life changes.
Eric has a line which sums up the episode and in some ways the season to date: "Life
has become a waiting room of uncertainty." Although he was referring to
his relationship with Nell, her sick mother and the unknown situation with
Hetty, it can be applied to the entire team. NCIS: Los Angeles
In terms of 'High Society', there is a level of sombreness which contrasts with
the more lighthearted elements. Roberta Deeks kick starts by embracing her
fears, commenting to Deeks that he doesn't want to wake up one day with a heart
full of regrets, eventually revealing that she’s realised she has more years
behind her than in front. This is followed by Deeks (partnered with Callen on
this case), cutting to the chase and asking if he has regrets about Anna,
reminding Callen they last saw her in Cuba, shot in the leg with a warrant for
her arrest. Finding her may not be easy. Sam later jumps in on the sombre
theme, verbalising the emotions he experienced after his wife died to a suspect
in the interrogation room.
The case of the week is rather forgettable with only a tentative connection to
the military which could have been handed off to the DEA - in fact Deeks even
mentioned Talia Del Campo. Instead the team run with it, encountering three
characters previously seen in recent seasons. First is Katherine who for the
third time in as many appearances, manages to insert herself in the middle of
the team's operation, this time at a fashion show. Secondly is the coroner who
is just as ridiculously deluded as when he was previously seen in S9 Where
Everybody Knows Your Name (with the annoying FBI Agent Zoe Morris). Lastly is
pathological liar Victor who brings some fun to the interrogation room and
Callen and Deek's questioning. He was also seen in Where Everybody Knows Your
Name, the link being both that and High Society were written by Chad Mazero.
Two other characters (the waitress and the bad guys target) are extremely
judgmental and presumptive about law enforcement. Both are forced to eat their
words when the waitress realises video footage may help solve a murder, and the
team save the target's life.
Partner
swaps are usually intriguing and are often the result of team manipulation by a
higher power. In this instance, it is casually referred to in a throw-a-way
sentence from Callen to Deeks half way through. Sam simply asked Callen to swap
partners for the day. Such swaps can be fun, changing the dynamics with one on
one scenes however this week the chemistry seemed a little off, maybe caused by
the lack of any drive or motivation for the switch. Maybe Sam is testing the
waters of not having Callen as a partner. The fun element mostly comes from Deeks,
interacting with his mother, his burgeoning bromace with Eric Beale, and DJing
at the fashion show while wearing a mouse head while Kensi struts down the
catwalk.
The
closure of the episode continues with the now established story-arc of Callen
and Anna. After everyone has left for the day, Callen utilises the Ops centre
to retrieve information on Anna that suggests she is behind a series of murders
in Europe . It is unlikely she has suddenly
turned into an assassin for hire and as she was last seen in the company of CIA
Officer Joelle Taylor, (and Hetty's last know location was Europe), Anna may be
hot on the heels of the real killer. Hopefully all will be revealed in the not
too distant future.