As if Sam didn’t already have enough on his plate…
His son Aiden was at the center of the case of the week on NCIS: Los Angeles Season 14 Episode 4.
Everyone knew Aiden was innocent. But at least there was a small twist in the resolution of the matter.
Anyone who thought Aiden was a chip from the old block found out differently. He looks more like the current Raymond.
Raymond has made Sam’s life challenging this season. That behavior includes his caregiver quitting because he complained about her pancakes.
Aiden’s crash at least allowed them to come together and join forces for a common goal, showing that someone or something other than Aiden was to blame.
Of course, a conflict of interest drove Sam to the sidelines. Watching Sam joust with Lieutenant Commander Hirsch proved why he should have been sidelined.
Sam didn’t help the investigation, and neither did Raymond. Above all, Aiden’s concussion that led to his erratic memory didn’t help.
Aiden’s disciplinary record, however, put him in Hirsch’s crosshairs. And Callen found out about Sonic’s history before Sam did.
But the rest of the team’s investigation told a different story. It turned out that Aiden’s flight was testing a classified system of somewhat questionable quality.
Just try to get someone to admit it. That Frazier threw out that fact should be a sign that he had an ax to sharpen.
The way the base commander Kilbride, an admiral, gave minimal information was another indication that something was wrong.
But the deciding factor was the skittish defense contractor officer who didn’t bother taking a few minutes to answer questions from Callen and Shyla. Because the system was behind schedule, they had to surrender another test flight that afternoon.
Yes, that made sense. An airplane crashes once during a test flight. So let’s blame the pilot instead of pinpointing the real problem and try another test instead.
It was good that Aiden had that accidental flash of memory, and Fatima and Rountree found that stoner witness who backed up Aiden’s account (any witness is better than no witness, I guess).
Still, the day was not saved until Aiden devised just the right maneuver for the co-pilot, whose plane fell like a rock.
That was when Aiden was acquitted and Sam was able to return to work in time, just in time to participate in the eviction.
It would have felt sweeter if the culprit was Starling Aerospace, who eagerly hid the flaw in their system.
Unfortunately, it was the well-meaning naval mechanic Frazier, who clearly didn’t care much for Starling’s software patch.
Sam’s timely return enabled him to prove he was the bigger man by suppressing the sailor whose actions had injured his son.
Now to the collection of ongoing storylines. Most importantly, Rountree’s continued involvement with the racist police who arrested him and his sister in NCIS: Los Angeles Season 13 Episode 15.
Rountree was rightly annoyed that those officers were being reprimanded for their actions in the form of paid leave.
Unfortunately, the advice he received from both Kilbride and Fatima was essentially, “Follow your heart.” Hardly the clear path he was looking for.
At least Kilbride told him his teammates were behind him no matter what he chose to do.
This storyline probably wouldn’t have resurfaced if the plan was to sweep it under the rug, the fate of so many other dangling storylines. So expect more aggressive action from Rountree’s part.
There was also positive direction on the Raymond front.
Raymond took a moment to pull on Sam’s necklace to have a heart-to-heart conversation with him after Hirsch threw them both out of Aiden’s room.
Raymond admitted he was no longer the bastard Sam grew up with when he saw what a sincere citizen Sam had become. This allowed him to relax more and enjoy life more. It was as if they had come to some understanding, but hopefully Raymond would go back to Sam’s chops.
The hospital provided a potential caregiver for Raymond in the form of Nurse Constance, who seemed to have a handle on dealing with a cranky old man like Raymond. Sam should definitely call her.
Shyla was allowed into the field, especially since Kensi and Deeks must have had a parent-teacher conference or something.
That left Kilbride alone with Ops. He admirably acquitted himself, though he lashed out at Fatima in an attempt to give him an “attaboy” for his efforts. How would he have reacted differently?
Though Shyla was previously seen as Kilbride’s administrative assistant, she did a fine job in interrogation and the pursuit of Frazier.
Does the fact that she got a backstory from going through a divorce means she’ll be more present in the OSP this season? Will she be Fatima’s new girlfriend? Time will tell.
Watch NCIS: Los Angeles online to revisit Aiden’s history.
Did you even suspect Aiden was to blame for the crash?
What should Rountree do now?
What else would you like to see from Shyla?
