A bone donation?

I'm not sure which was more shocking: finding out that you could donate bones and they are replaced with a PVC tube... or that crazy fox on Hetty's shoulders.

"Paper Soldiers" was another NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 episode that involved a case which NCIS didn't really need to investigate. Despite that, it did provide for a few humorous moments, especially with Hetty.

NCIS was called in to investigate the death of Lt. Prietto when his widow questioned the circumstances of his killing. Wouldn't that be answered with just a simple records check? Or shouldn't the team have gone to interrogate Prietto's commanding officer? NCIS's entry into this case was the weakest I can remember for this show. Of course, the widow's private investigator being killed added to the intrigue, but that was a different case.

The mystery then turned away from how Lt. Prietto was killed to what happened to him after he died. The Marine had skin grafts and bones removed for donation at the morgue, even though he was not listed as a donor. Red flag! Something odd was at play here.

Hetty brought Nate, an operational psychologist who used to be a member of the NCIS: Los Angeles team, in to help. I was surprised to see Hetty use Nate like she did. There really wasn't any need for Nate to be the one to question Rose. Any other member of the squad could have called her up to talk about what was going on in the morgue. And Nate sacrificed Rose's trust in him by choosing his job over his relationship with her.

In the past, when Nate has assisted the team, it was because he had unique skills or access that was necessary to complete the investigation. Not here. He really was Hetty's pawn. The saving grace of his appearance was when he went undercover as Hetty's son at the funeral home. The differential in their stature was distracting and that combined with Hetty's odd demeanor and fox prop provided for a unique and unexpected cover.

Even though the PI was killed, his investigation provided the link the team needed to solve the case. Rose's pictures led them to identify the forged documents which pointed them to Ian. And Nell's discovery of the high number of bodies with donations sent to the funeral home provided the link to the organ scam. And that part of the case was solved.

The issue of how Lt. Prietto was killed was actually resolved with a phone call. He was killed while carrying out a highly classified mission. For security reasons, the location had been altered to protect those still involved. Case closed.

The usual banter on NCIS:LA was a bit stunted this week. Though, Hetty at the funeral home made up for it, especially when Sam gave her such a tough time. That was hilarious and probably words he has wanted to say for years. Unfortunately, he had to have a sit down with her afterward. Ouch!

Did you also find Nate's visit underwhelming? Did you love the Hetty stuff? What about that fox?

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