DVD Reviews

NCIS: Los Angeles - The Second Season - DVD Review

By Patrick Luce Aug 23, 2011, 15:59 GMT

$NCIS: LOS ANGELES? is a drama about the high stakes world of a division of NCIS that is charged with apprehending dangerous and elusive criminals that pose a threat to the nation\'s security. By assuming false identities and utilizing the most advanced technology, this team of highly trained agents goes deep undercover, putting their lives on the line in the field to bring down their targets.$

NCIS: LOS ANGELES? is a drama about the high stakes world of a division of NCIS that is charged with apprehending dangerous and elusive criminals that pose a threat to the nation\'s security. By assuming false identities and utilizing the most advanced technology, this team of highly trained agents goes deep undercover, putting their lives on the line in the field to bring down their targets. ...more

NCIS: Los Angeles’ second season arrives on DVD and quickly establishes the series is able to stand on its own legs. A spin-off from CBS’ hit NCIS, the second season finds the series’ characters established and the show still more focused on action over some of the comedy of NCIS.

Packed with 24 episodes, NCIS: Los Angeles follows a different kind of NCIS team that operates as a deep undercover unit tasked with taking down larger scale criminals who are viewed as a threat to national security. Unlike NCIS (which normally investigates routine crimes such as murder), the Los Angeles team often works outside the law and rarely sits down suspects for a chat in the integration room.

The team is led by G Callen (Chris O'Donnell) and former SEAL Sam Hanna (LL Cool J). The two men are assisted by female agent Kensi Blye (the beautiful Daniela Ruah), psychologist Nate Getz (Peter Cambor), LAPD Liaison detective Marty Deeks (Eric Christian Olson) and tech guys Nell Jones (Renee Felice Smith) and Eric Beal (Barret Foa). The team is supervised by the mysterious and best asset to the series Hetty Lange (Linda Hunt – who is easily the best reason to watch the show).

With its formula and fast pace established in Season One, NCIS: Los Angeles took what worked and kept it running like a well-oiled machine. O'Donnell’s G continues to be the center of the series and the writers do an excellent job of revealing some of his past and what makes him so unique while keeping more secrets just out of reach. Along with G’s oddities (like rarely sleeping), fans get to see how he effects the other members of his team – there is a funny discussion between Sam and Kensi about the joys of having G crash at your place.

The show also continues to be an acting powerhouse for the duo of G and Sam with both the actors thriving on a chemistry that at times reminds you of some of the classic television cop series that made the genre great. Along with the main duo, this season sees the supporting players get more screen time as Kensi and Deeks step up to a larger role in some of the episodes and even Getz gets a little undercover time.

As with the first season, Linda Hunt quickly became my main reason to keep watching the show. The series may be fast paced and action heavy, but Hunt’s screen-time is what gives it a unique feel for me. The actress might be small in stature, but she fills the screen every time she is on camera and quickly demonstrates that she can steal the spotlight from anyone – even LL Cool J and O'Donnell don’t stand a chance against her. Her character always has the best lines and the last word. Her agents might be the best at what they do, but she is always one step better.

Crossover episodes with NCIS Director Vance (Rocky Carroll) help to continue to tie the show to the original series, but it isn’t needed. Los Angeles has a different feel from NCIS and can easily move out from under its shadow.

The Season Two DVD set comes loaded with features that take fans behind-the-scenes to see how the show is brought to life on the screen. They include interviews with the cast and crew; a feature on shooting on the streets of Los Angeles; a look at a table reading for one of the season’s episodes; and a feature that looks at the past of Linda Hunt’s character, Hetty Lange. There is also audio commentary by cast members.

With a fresh feel and a different take on the original series’ formula, NCIS: Los Angeles takes what works for NCIS and puts it in an action-packed blender that spits out all the glamor and grit you would expect from a crime series based in Los Angeles. The threats are bigger and the episodes move at a much quicker pace. The ensemble cast continues to grow into their roles, and the season ends with you wanting more for the Los Angeles crew.