NCIS Los Angeles Season Finale: Submerged

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A submarine to transport drugs? Yes.

On NCIS: Los Angeles Season 5 Episode 24, the team started out looking into the possible suicide of Lt. Hill, but the investigation took a sharp turn to be about drugs and terrorism.

Each step the team took that brought them closer to the truth, the more danger they were in.

Overall, the finale was riveting as the mystery unfolded and the truth was revealed. I had an issue with the premise of the case. If Lt. Hill was such a threat to United States security that NCIS was brought in to investigate his death, why wasn't NCIS already looking into his disappearance? That seems like a big oversight.

The other problem I had with the hour pertained to Deeks, Kensi and Talia. I enjoyed the awkward meeting between the two women at the crime scene and even Talia's "Malibu Barbie" comment was pretty funny. I didn't at all care for the competition that took place back at the boat shed. It was embarrassing and unprofessional.

It didn't feel authentic or in character for any of them. It was just creepy to see Kensi basically hair flipping and then for Talia to take off her shirt. I also didn't buy that Deeks would be quite as distracted by the whole thing either. I hope if Talia's back in the season premiere, there's none this weirdness.

The tracking of information during the investigation was outstanding as usual. Eric is a mastermind. He tracked down the kid who was using his phone during the fire breathing contest. Then, he was able to analyze the car engine noise when Lt. Hill fell to match a vehicle, then used cameras to narrow the suspects down to three. Smooth work, Eric!

When Sam and Callen found the cell phone owner, he ran. They always run! In a change up from normal, this was an extended chase. Running, in the car, and then running again. I enjoyed seeing Callen running, going over fences, garages, and ultimately jumping the kid over Sam's hood.

Nothing came easy on this one. When they tracked down the murder suspect, they ended up in a gun fight and then Sam blew up the house with a grenade. He was quick on his feet when the grenade landed in front of him. It killed the occupants, including a hostage, but he had no way to know that.

Lt. Hill's death led them on a trail to a much larger criminal enterprise. The team thought it was bad enough when it involved billions of dollars worth of cocaine being shipped via a submarine, but what Sam and Callen found was even more dangerous. The submarine was loaded up with Ammonium Nitrate. 

I'm not a fan of NCIS: Los Angeles ending the season with the first part of a two-part story, but I have to give them credit for having a compelling finale. Sam and Callen being stuck on the submarine loaded to explode with two terrorists isn't a great thing. At least, NCIS has a starting place to go from.

Given the small size of the submarine vessel, how difficult will it be for NCIS to track them? At least, they are temporarily safe on the other side of the submersible from the men with guns. This will be a new challenge for Eric to take on. I'm sure he'll overcome the obstacles and save the day.

While the team was working the investigation, Hetty left to go to Washington D.C. to answer for her actions regarding the White Ghost situation in Afghanistan. I'm glad that mission hasn't been entirely dropped. Hetty's decision to send Kensi there made no sense given her connection to the White Ghost.

As Hetty left the building and got into the car, she definitely had the look of someone who never expected to return. She gave Nell instructions on what to do if that happened too. Is Hetty gone forever? We'll have to wait to see what happens, though I fear we won't ever hear from her again.

Until fall ... to be continued!

Will we see Hetty again?

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Carla Day is a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow her on Twitter and on Google+.

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