Looking to the Fall: NCIS: Los Angeles

The fall – and the "traditional" television season – is rapidly approaching.  So, like any good TV reviewer, I've been watching pilots.  Now, anything that I say about a pilot is not a review, it's a series of thoughts, of ruminations, of contemplations based on what may be, what might be, what could be should these shadows remain unchanged.  That's right, think of it like A Christmas Carol – Scrooge saw his own death, but that was his death if he didn't change, anything I say about a television show whose pilot I've seen is the same sort of thing – it's what could be if they remain unchanged.  Tiny Tim did not die, and none of these shows have to either (nor need they live).

That being said, what we're talking about today isn't a traditional pilot – it's a back-door pilot.  Thus, it's still mostly filmed in the style of the show it's based off of and has aired, making it possible to review the original show, but not so much what the new one will be like, except to say whether they characters (which may change) are stultifyingly dull or have potential.  In the case of the stars of NCIS: Los Angeles (which is being spun-off of NCIS which was spun-off of JAG), they show potential.

I've never actually watched an episode of NCIS prior to watching the two-parter "Legend," in which the Los Angeles team (a team which has since been tweaked) is introduced, but I actually liked the original NCIS enough where I've since TiVoed and watched more episodes (I always find it weird when I like a CBS procedural, what with my not being even close to 40 yet).  But, Mark Harmon isn't going to be appearing on the new show on a regular basis, and he was a big part of why I liked "Legend."  Instead, NCIS: LA is going to star LL Cool J and Chris O'Donnell.

The team – mainly O'Donnell's Special Agent Callen – specialize in going undercover and smoking out the baddies that way.  LL, who plays ex-Navy SEAL Sam Hanna, was mainly in charge – at least in "Legend" – of staying back at headquarters and playing with all the expensive toys that the Los Angeles branch outfits their office with (they are, after all, the Office of Special Projects).  He did find himself in the field during the two-parter, and I'm sure that he'll continue to on a weekly basis however.  The show isn't going to exist without shoot-outs and backup being called in and stings going badly, that kind of thing.  In other words – it's your standard procedural.

Article Author: Josh Lasser

Josh Lasser, formerly known as "TV and Film Guy," and complete with a Masters Degree in Critical Studies in said areas, gives his opinions on TV, Film, and Entertainment in general. All of which he does in a shameless attempt to try to get paid to do the exact same thing. …

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