Sam's year of adjustment continued.

He had become too close to a former druglord on NCIS: Los Angeles Season 9 Episode 19.

That decision nearly cost him and Hidoko everything.

Ever since his wife Michelle's death on NCIS: Los Angeles Season 8 Episode 23, Sam has been, understandably, trying to figure out his new life without her.

Some choices have been pretty harmless, such as living on a boat and adopting a sea lion as an unofficial pet.

Related: CBS Renewals: Which Major Show is Missing?

Others have been more questionable, such as getting close to King, the druglord he captured on NCIS: Los Angeles Season 8 Episode 17.

It seems that King has become Sam's non-work confidant, the person with whom he shares his feelings because we've seen damn little of that on the job. Just the opposite, in fact.

King, who seemed to be in some form of witness protection, appeared worthy of his trust until she set him up for a ruthless narco-terrorist.

We got to see rearranged pairings again this week, in part because of Anna's shooting of Sokolov on NCIS: Los Angeles Season 9 Episode 18.

I figured there was more to come on that because in no way was that, to use the TV cop parlance, a righteous shoot. Even though it happens offscreen, it sure seemed like she shot him in cold blood,

So, Callen was tied up being grilled by ATF about the shooting. That meant Sam got partnered with Hidoko on an undercover assignment.

Related: NCIS: Los Angeles Season 9 Episode 18 Review: Vendetta

That was fine, because, unlike her mentor Mosley, Hidoko gets along with everyone, even Deeks, who can be a challenge. She's a consummate professional, although apparently a little short on field experience.

We finally got the lowdown on the death of Hidoko's husband. That was very sad, their getting married just before he died. I guess she felt she could share that with Sam because he too had recently suffered the loss of a spouse.

When she got shot, I figured the powers that be were going for the cheap shock by killing her off. But, nah, instead fashionable Kevlar saved the day.

Surprisingly, the pairing of Callen and Deeks also worked. Callen needed Deeks' not-requested advice on how to handle the Anna situation. And Deeks needed to hear Callen's telling him not to run away from his calling.

Hey, Deeks mentioned the wedding again. Might it possibly happen this season? Maybe at the end of a shootout in the finale, with Sam performing the ceremony? Internet licensing, y'all.

Related: Watch NCIS: Los Angeles Online: Season 9 Episode 18

It was just two guys sitting around shooting the shit in the "Roach Coach" and a bar, but it was what they both needed at the time. 

Kensi and Nell are always a good pairing. I liked their tough cop/smart cop interrogation of the robbery suspect. Nell did homeless nearly as well as Deeks does, although their backup of Sam and Hidoko was marginal. Hidoko probably survived because of it, but Sam still got abducted.

What should we make of the Sam/King relationship?

They both used each other to get to Stone. After she put Sam in harm's way, King rescued him, and frankly herself, by shooting Stone and his henchmen. How did Stone reach the position he held by putting guns in the hands of people who benefited from his being dead?

It's obvious they both care for each other, but now King (Dana?) has put herself back on the wrong side of the law.

I'm sure most viewers would like Sam to find love again. I'd vote for Nicole, the Secret Service agent last seen on NCIS: Los Angeles Season 8 Episode 2. She and Sam are at least on the same side of the law.

But Sam and King make for a much better narrative, him falling for a bad girl turned good then bad again. Shakespeare wrote the path to true love never did run smooth, and that's never changed.

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Mosley actually offered to help King as much as she could, but she also cautioned Sam to get his head on straight, essentially. Holding onto King may give him more headaches than she's worth.

Mosley was not only helpful to Sam, and she gave Eric a ringing pep talk. This has been, like, two straight episodes when she hasn't been entirely annoying.

Hetty was MIA this episode. You don't suppose she was the donor for Mosley's humanity transplant, do you?

No, it was probably just some time off for Linda Hunt after being featured more prominently in the past five episodes.

To catch up as the season winds down, watch NCIS: Los Angeles online.

How do you feel about Sam and King? How did you like getting more of Hidoko's backstory? Anyone coming around on Mosley? Comment below.

Dale McGarrigle is a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow him on X.