NCIS: Los Angeles season 8 episode 19 review: Agent Callen, Hannah save 268 passengers; Is Kensi Blye, Marty Deeks ready for marriage?

On Sunday night viewers of NCIS: Los Angeles got an action-packed episode that kicked off with an explosion and ended with a job well done after a crisis was averted. The NCIS team was summoned to an explosion where a West Central Aerospace engineer was murdered. The unfortunate victim was developing a new guided missile destroyer and the team quickly realizes the classified information he worked with was up for grabs, ready to be sold to the highest bidder.

The story quickly unfolds as the detonation of the motor home, where the engineer was killed, had been extremely controlled to take him out while not hurting anyone else. The agents figure out that the materials used are typically used in the movie business. While the clues are sorted out, Henrietta “Hetty” Lange finds out that the team under the engineer could be targeted and two of the staff are on a plane to Tokyo and could be selling the classified information.

Never one to miss a good flight, Agent Hannah and Agent Callen also book seats on the same flight and the plane is where most of the episode happens. Undetected, the bad guys — four in all – find a way to take over the plane and force the classified information into their hands. Using guns planted by a baggage employee two days prior and electronic devices to forward the information to the highest buyer, it appears the transaction is happening at 36,000 feet. However, they didn’t plan on the NCIS agents being aboard the plane.

Working with the air marshals and the pilot, Sam and G subdue the bad guys and even had an epic gun battle in the cargo hold. While one of the flight attendants were killed (way before the gun battle) none of the 268 passengers were hurt on the fight even though there were guns pointing at everyone. If that wasn’t the biggest success of the trip, then recovering the classified information was the top prize as it was a job well done.

Is ‘Densi’ ready for marriage?

As fans watched the case play out, they also got to see the budding romance of “Densi”. Now that Special Agent Kensi Blye is feeling better, it appears that LAPD Detective Marty Deeks might be the luckiest man alive. The couple’s relationship is getting stronger and the chemistry between the two is steamy. The episode tonight had Deeks plan a surprise get-together for Kensi with friends coming in from out of town. When will there be wedding bells? No hints yet on what might be the next step for the couple, but everyone is hoping for an amazing season finale. And yes, that should include a wedding.

We really enjoyed the fast pace of the case and the fun banter between the characters on Sunday night. Keeping the show lively, it was exciting to see the agents on top of their game. It was even better to watch Callen, G and Hetty come together and share a special moment as they reflected on the end of the case. The team definitely is ready to move forward and the viewers can’t wait to see what is next. Episode Grade: A-

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This review was written by Jodi Jill. Be sure to follow her on Facebook and Twitter!