NCIS: Los Angeles (TV Series) Callen, G (2010) User Reviews

Face the Facts

[ttapola · 6/10 · 26 January 2011]

(Without reading the existing review) So, the "story" insists on carrying from the previous episode. The events of the teaser sequence are probably intended to get us excited, but those of us who've watched TV and movies for years recognize it only as a pile of clichés. To name but a few: a pointless countdown (in real life, there would be an *immediate* result), high tech lock that is useless because it is not bulletproof, explosives that conveniently detonate *in the order* you've run past by them. Groan.

The makers seem to think the fact that Callen does not know his own first name, only the initial G, is a compelling premise enough to warrant an *Arc* Plot. Are they serious? What makes G special enough to warrant a past that is mystery to even him? Were this a science fiction or fantasy show, G could turn out to be some sort of Chosen One or anything along those lines - but this is supposedly a *real* world show.

It does not help that the plot keeps piling on cliché scenes and pace-wise seriously lacks momentum. Stupidity level is increased when Eric makes use of the frustrating Enhance Button trope (search the net and you shall know). Unnecessary B-plot further increases the tedium. This is supposed to be a season *finale*, for frak's sake! At least there is some decent action, but nothing that meets the levels a season finale should deliver. There should be either a MASSIVE sequence or one involving the death of a major character. Incidentally, the parent series NCIS has pulled the latter one of twice already, both times in an absolutely brilliant way. Why doesn't the quality of that show seep onto this one?

In the end, the twists here just don't have the impact they are supposed to have, thanks to poorly done groundwork. In order for them to work, there needs to be a buildup. Contrast Callen's story with Peter's story in Fringe. Now *that's* how you do it: the mystery's end (Fringe episode #2.16, Peter) that the makers of Fringe have been carefully building up to for 35 episodes is a massive pay-off. And it wasn't even a season finale! This 6/10* fluff doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell to stand up to the best finales, especially as they are supposed to make the wait for the next season almost unbearable (see, *for example*, the new BSG and Lost for season finale cliffhangers of absolutely the highest order).

*) HOW THE RATING IS GIVEN: Since the average between the lowest rating (1) and highest rating (10) is 5.5, everything gets a starting rating of 6. After that, points are either added or subtracted depending on the actual content: Plot, script, acting, directing, music, production values and so on. Also, the content is weighted against previously rated works, which act as a guideline. Also, to get the lowest or highest possible rating, the work must approach the worst or best thing ever seen, respectively. And as the laws of probability state, both are *extremely* rare.

Season 1: Does the genre basics but offers nothing beyond that and very little spark or snap to attract viewers

[bob the moo · 30 June 2010]

I'm not really a fan of the many glossy weekly crime thrillers that exist out there; OK some are good and some are bad but with so many good shows available out there on TV, on-demand or DVD box set that I have not yet seen I don't really see the appeal of them. Of course love means never having to say you're sorry and also having to accept that your partner's viewing habits may differ. So it is then that I end up watching NCIS: LA despite having never seen any of the original series or having any desire to do so. On the basis of LL Cool J being in it and it being "easy viewing" to say the least, we watched season 1 of this and I have to say that I doubt I have a more productive hour in my week than the hour that this thing is on because I will easily find things to do to distract me while it is on.

It is not that it is "bad" though, because if you know what you are doing it is hard to make something "bad" when you are sticking to a formula that others have made work. Problem is though that it is like me trying to repeat a recipe that I have just seen a TV chef do with awesome results; I can follow the recipe/formula and do all the same things but I just don't have the skill of that chef or the certain something to make it special – so mine will be serviceable but not as good as the original dish I was trying to copy. That metaphor took a while to finish I agree but it is the central problem with NCIS: LA that it feels like something that exists because it makes financial sense to do so (and is what I always assumed was the case with NCIS). This may well be the case with everything (few shows are made at a loss because they are the "right thing to do") but NCIS: LA cannot shake the feeling of drinking a cheap store's-own brand of cola when really what you wanted was Pepsi or Coke.

It starts with the production values in the sets as, while it doesn't look "cheap" it certainly doesn't look like money was no option. Of course this sort of cosmetic stuff can be addressed with success and improved resources but the real problems come in other areas. The plots are solid but nothing more than that. At best they are fast-paced and loose but frequently the show will try and be more than it is by trying to inject depth or character into things and it fails. It fails because it does it in a very superficial way without any basis or foundation of meaning. The cast aren't helped by this but neither do they do much to help the show. O'Donnell is all toned good looks and twinkly eyes but all I can think when I see him is to wonder where his career went and if it can really all be blamed on Joel Schumacher. Cool J is a charismatic guy normally but for some reason he is as stiff as a board here. Not sure if it is the script or what but he lacks spark and even when he walks across a scene it is an unnatural walk of a man who has started walking for the shot and is timing it to a mark and the "cut", hardly surprising then that he is stiff in all other areas. The various support cast is mixed but do the basics; Ruah is very attractive and easy to watch while the masterful casting of Hunt only serves to make the lacklustre vehicle that much more disappointing by comparison. Cambor, Foa and a few others are "shrug" and beyond them everyone is pretty basic.

Overall NCIS: LA is a by-the-numbers affair that feels like a cut-price version of similar shows. It is not necessarily that those other shows are brilliant and this one is bad but it never shakes off the feeling of being a second rate attempt at something bigger. This comes over in the scripts, the sets, the characters, the cast and the performances, it all just feels a little flat and lacking in spark. If this is your sort of thing then it makes enough of a fist of the formula to perhaps do the job for genre fans but for casual viewers you will really need to be in an undemanding mood.