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NCIS: Los Angeles Season Ten Rewatch: "The Prince"

The basics: The team helps protect a Saudi prince with two faces from Callen's past.

Written by: Andrew Bartels who wrote or co-wrote “Allegiance”, “Zero Days”, “The Grey Man”, “Humbug” (Joelle), “Fighting Shadows”, “Driving Miss Diaz”, “Angels & Daemons”, “Where There’s Smoke…”, “Glasnost”, “Old Tricks” “Battle Scars”, “Fool Me Twice” (Joelle), “Warrior of Peace” (Agent Bush) and "Reentry".

Directed by: Lily Mariye directed "Liabilities" last season. She also played Shirley Hidoko in the prior episode.

Guest stars of note: Elizabeth Bogush as returns from season nine's "Fool Me Twice" as Joelle Taylor, Drew Waters is back from "Warrior of Peace" in season nine as DSS Agent Brian Bush and Kiralee Hayash, a regular stunt performer for the program, plays the Bride. Ritesh Rajan as Deputy Crown Prince Kamal, Britt Rentschler as Sarah Lombard and Greg Audino as Groom.

Ritesh Rajan’s Deputy Crown Prince Kamal returns in the season 10 premiere.

Our heroes: Team up with Joelle to save a Saudi prince.

What important things did we learn about:

Callen: Student of the Hetty Lange School of Mischief. Sam: Finds peace at sea, even during wartime. Kensi: Watching Deeks's ass. Deeks: Wonders if Nell really wants to move in with Eric. Eric: Has a passion for maps and hidden voyeuristic fantasies. Nell: Scarier than Joelle remembers. Hetty: In DC.

What not so important things did we learn about:

Callen: Summarizes and bullet points. Sam: Fleshes out summaries and bullet points. Kensi: Engaged for 14-months. Deeks: Glaucoma runs in the family. Eric: Pulls sewing scissors on Joelle. Nell: Hopes Kensi and Deeks get married sometime this century. Hetty: Not in today.

Who's down with OTP: Kensi and Deeks affirm they are not an average couple but they also don't have a wedding date, much to Bertie's dismay. And Sam's, who scoffs when they don't have a wedding date. And Nell, who is surprised "you guys are doing that again." Eric finds out Nell didn't tell him about her part in faking Joelle's death seconds after finding out Joelle was alive. They kiss and make-up. Literally.

Who's down with BrOTP: While working together, not a lot of bro-time for the DVD cover guys.

Any pressing need for Harm and Mac: No, this is DSS's issue, not USN or USMC.

Who is running the team this week? To quote Eric when asked if Adm. Kilbride was running the case, "No, we're on our own."

Mosley watch: Still in the opening credits with a solo shot, with the team around the collaboration table and Nia Long is listed in the cast credits.

Fashion review: Callen starts the episode in a sapphire blue button down shirt while Sam is in a black henley. Callen wears a medium blue suit with a light blue dress shirt and a light and dark blue striped tie, Sam is in a navy blue suit, white shirt and blue long tie when working as part of the Prince's security detail. Kensi wears a medium grey v-neck tee with cap sleeves. V-neck black tee for Deeks. Long pants on Eric with a light grey tee under a blue short-sleeved button down shirt (unbuttoned) with a white print.

Music: "Subside" by Summer Heart featuring Kylo is playing when Callen and Sam meet Agent Bush for the first time in the hotel. "The Shore" by Basia Lulat plays as Joelle decides not to reunite with her family.

Any notable cut scene: No.

Quote: Kamal: "I love your city, Agent Hanna. It's so…green." Sam: "It's all relative, I guess." Kamal: "If I have to die here, I would not be disappointed. Although I'd prefer to die in my home country." Sam: "We'll get you home." Kamal: "I know only God can make such a promise, but, uh, somehow, I believe you. What of you, Agent Hanna? Where would you prefer to die?" Sam: "The sea. I've always felt most at peace there, even during wartime." Kamal: "I suppose it is a shame then we cannot take a boat to the airport."

Anything else: A diplomatic motorcade is making its way through Los Angeles. The main vehicle is carrying a Saudi prince and Agent Bush (the guy who shipped Callen's dad to Iran). The prince is not one for small talk about the weather. A motorcyclist pulls up alongside the motorcade. Leaving the LAPD motorcade lead unable to help, the bad guy on a bike turns his attention to the limos. Agent Bush orders his driver to flee.

The security vehicle behind the limo gets diverted by traffic. Agent Bush assures the prince they're fine since the limo is armored. That's great for bullets, not so great for the plastic explosives the motorcycling bad guy put on the limo window. Agent Bush orders the limo driver to stop, pushes the prince out of the slowing down vehicle.

As Bush leaves the vehicle, the motorcyclist kicks the bejezus out of Agent Bush. Pulling a gun, the motorcyclist is about to shoot the prince but pulls back and leaves.

Walking into the office, Kensi and Deeks are discussing Roberta's issues with the wedding not happening. Kensi wants Deeks to tell Bertie they are getting married and getting married soon. Sam arrives, asking about the date. Kensi and Deeks don't have a date but are getting married and getting married soon. "Sure, sure," is Sam's thoughts.

The three join Callen in the bullpen. Callen is reviewing Agent DeChamps's case reports, which are very thorough. Sam snarks that at least DeChamps writes reports, Callen writes summaries with bullet points. Callen likes their teamwork – it works for him. Sam, not so much.

Eric arrives with news of a case. Kensi asks if it is from Adm. Kilbride – it is not. Kilbride is on his way back to DC. Deeks notes that DC is where Hetty and Mosley are. Sam has a bad feeling about all this.

Up in Ops, Eric introduces the team to Deputy Crown Prince Kamal of Saudi Arabia. He is the minister of defense for the country, third in line for the throne and in LA for business. Video footage of the incident with Agent Bush runs on the screen in Ops. Nell explains the man dressed as a prince in the video footage is a decoy. The real Prince took a helicopter from the airport to the hotel. Deeks asks about the LAPD officer leading the motorcade. He wasn’t shot – just hit with a taser. And the bomb stuck to the window was a fake.

Sam thinks the shooter's intention was to get the target to expose themselves with no collateral damage. The Diplomatic Security Service will continue to protect Kamal but the SecNav and SecDef want more security. Saudi Arabia is an important ally.

The FBI is taking over the investigation but they are looking for any help NCIS can offer, especially when it comes to security. Callen asks about the DSS Agent running the case and learns its is Agent Bush. Everyone offers Callen a long, meaningful stare. Switching topics, Callen wants to know about the motorcyclist who was lost in traffic. Eric is looking. Callen sends Kensi and Deeks to the scene of the crime, he is going with Sam to talk to DSS.

Deeks is working well with the FBI. NCIS can process the crime scene but everything needs to be "run by" – Deeks provided the air quotes – the Bureau. Deeks wonders if they are going to meet Kamal. Kensi doesn't think so but if they do, she has some choice words on the Kingdom's treatment of women. Deeks notes the country's progress on that front but Kensi isn't interested in progress, she'd like equality.

Kensi starts running her hand under the limo's bumper. The limo route was changed last minute, so how did the assassin know where to go? She pulls a tracker from under the right passenger-side bumper. Kensi turns it over to the FBI.

Callen and Sam walk into the hotel – Sam is unhappy with the lobby security. Also unhappy with Bush being the agent running things. Sam knows they are going to find Callen's father – he could already be free, escaping and living on a beach. Bush walks by, grateful for NCIS's help.

Callen and Sam get a full security rundown. The Prince and his entourage are on the hotel's top floor and elevator access is by special keycard only. There are ten DSS Agents, including Bush, assigned to protect them. Callen thinks that not enough – does Kamal have his own security? He does, four men who are with him at all times. Callen asks why Kamal is in town. Saudi Arabia wants to do business with Hollywood. Hollywood big-wigs are coming to see the Prince to cut billion dollar deals.

Bush takes Callen and Sam to see the Prince. As they arrive on his floor, a bride and groom are being dragged away. The happy couple wanted a few photos with Kamal – the groom thought Kamal could "bless our union." Bush admits a few looky-loos have made it to the floor but nobody has gotten close to the Prince's suite.

Sam wants the Prince moved – a suggestion Bush made to Kamal. No good, he has too many meetings set up at the hotel. Sam suggests moving the hotel's guests to other place. That's a no-go too, bad press. Bush wants to do these things but with the money Saudia Arabia spends on US weapons and their oil business, Kamal gets to call the shots.

Bush introduces Callen and Sam to Kamal. Sam offers a greeting in Arabic. When Bush explains that Callen and Sam are there as extra security, Kamal pushes back. Sam makes plea about the Prince's safety. Kamal is impressed by Sam's military bearing and even more by Sam's SEAL past. Kamal agrees to add Callen and Sam to his security detail and orders his tailor to make them suits. Callen asks why Kamal seems unbothered by the death threats. Kamal's brother was assassinated as was their grandfather. "When my time comes, I will be ready," but he hopes today is not the day.

Nell is surprised by the number of threats against the Prince. Kensi and Deeks arrive in Ops. Deeks has the GPS tracker. After an uncomfortable conversation with Eric about his love of maps and then one with Nell about the Kensi-Deeks wedding being postponed, Kensi and Deeks are off to pick a date to get married while Eric checks out the GPS and Nell continues with threat assessments.

Sam is impressed with his suit – and it looks good. So does Callen's. Callen asks about the Prince's meeting. A Hollywood producer wants to do a remake of "Apocalypse Now" but in space. Callen and Sam won't be there for opening weekend.

Using a huge Microsoft touch screen – Yay Microsoft - Eric found the route of the limo in the GPS – which makes sense. He also found that someone turned on the tracker before wiping the memory clean but "spoiler alert, nothing is really ever gone." The tracker was switched on in a hotel room in Hollywood – Eric is sending the address to Kensi and Deeks's phones, using Windows maps – Yay Microsoft.

With the FBI providing back-up, Kensi and Deeks break into the hotel room. A young woman is unconscious and zip-tied to a chair. When the woman, Sarah Lombard, comes to, she asks, "Is she gone?" Kensi asks who while Deeks takes Sarah's picture. Sarah explains she is a massage therapist and thought she was meeting a client. Instead, she was drugged, had her massage table stolen and was left behind. Sarah thought she'd leave when she saw the hotel – it is rather low rent – but she needed the money. When asked about any other appointments Sarah had booked that day, it was with the Prince's entourage.

Callen and Sam warn Bush, who moves to secure the Prince. Callen and Sam go after the faux-Sarah Lombard. Realizing she's about to be caught, fake Sarah runs down the hotel corridor, taking out several of the DSS Agents. Callen and Sam follow fake Sarah down the stairs, Callen wants back-up in the lobby and the loading dock. Sam winds up in the lobby but not fake Sarah. Callen finds her running toward the loading dock. Just as the loading dock door comes down, fake Sarah slides underneath to safety. Turning back, Callen sees fake Sarah is really Joelle. When the door is reopened, Joelle is gone.

Callen and Sam are leaving, much to Agent Bush's distress. Both Callen and Sam tell Bush that the assassin is going to keep coming at the Prince and the Prince is much safer back home. Sam wants all meetings canceled. Bush tells Callen they've had their differences in the past but Callen stops him. Nothing about what is happening is personal, Callen wants Bush to trust NCIS knows what they're doing. Bush will try to get the Prince to change his mind. After he leaves, Sam jokes about the "not personal" line.

Back in the seedy hotel, Deeks is looking for clues. Kensi arrives with an update about Sarah – she was given a sedative but was otherwise unhurt. After talking the motel manager, Kensi said there was no photo ID needed to check in and no security footage – probably why the motel was chosen in the first place. Underneath one of the drawer bottoms, Deeks finds a USB drive. Using a Window Surface – Yay Microsoft – Deeks sends the contents of the USB drive to Eric. Nell hops on comms – Kensi and Deeks are to go right to the boat shed. Now.

Nell removes her comms and signals for Eric to do the same. Untethered, she tells Eric about Joelle. Eric is surprised since he only knows one Joelle, a dead one. Nell explains that Callen and Sam faked her death so Joelle could protect her family. Eric is not happy they weren't told since they can keep a secret. It was more like Eric wasn't told. Nell planned to tell him but there was Hetty, Vietnam, Mosley, Mexico. Eric is not happy. Nell kisses him and apologizes. He forgives her.

In the boat shed, Deeks is not happy. Kensi is not happy. They wouldn't have told anyone about Joelle. Callen explains that the fewer people who knew, the safer everyone – the team and Joelle's family – would be. The rogue CIA group Joelle is working against was the same one behind Granger's stabbing, Kensi's kidnapping and other attacks on the team. Callen wasn't willing to risk Kensi and Deeks's lives – "not again". Deeks disagrees – risking their lives is part of the job. Callen apologizes. Deeks understand since Callen was raised to lie to them due to his time at the "Hetty Lange School of Mischief."

Kensi wants to know what the plan is. Callen is more worried about the rogue CIA group – "the syndicate" - and possible involvement with Prince Kamal or Joelle's belief that Kamal is involved. Eric pops up with news on the syndicate with Nell on the TV screen. Nell has info on a company called Gulf States Geological Survey or 2GS from Joelle's USB drive. 2GS looks like an oil related business but it is really of mix of former CIA and corrupt businessmen exploiting troubled countries for profit. Legitimate companies won't do business in these countries but 2GS will. Callen asks for the connection to Kamal. There isn't one. 2GS would see Kamal as a hinderance, not an ally.

Alarms go off – the boat shed has been breached. The team has guns drawn when Joelle, wearing a dark wig, walks in. "Nice helmet," Deeks jokes before noting that they need a new secret hideout. Joelle tells the group that she is there to help and that she means no harm to Kamal.

In the interrogation room, Joelle muses that fate keeps bringing her and Callen together. Callen reminds Joelle that she walked into the boat shed – fate had nothing to do with it. Joelle is unhappy Kensi and Deeks raided her motel room – every government agency is probably looking for her. She didn't mean to involve Callen – she was surprised to see him at the hotel. Callen thinks it wasn’t a good surprise for Joelle since he stopped her from killing Kamal.

Joelle tells Callen that she is trying to protect Kamal – she went after his decoy on purpose to test Kamal's security. She asks Callen if he honestly thinks she'd make a mistake and go after the decoy. 2GS wants the Prince dead. Callen tells Joelle that Eric and Nell are trying to verify her research. Joelle got the info from a 2GS contact who now is either in hiding or dead – she can't contact him.

Joelle thought the attack on the decoy would send Kamal back to Saudi Arabia. Her attempt to get near Kamal at the hotel was to see if she recognized any of his security team that was really working for 2GS. Callen tells her Kamal is cutting his trip short and is leaving in an hour. Joelle thinks this will move up the timetable for an assassination, Callen agrees.

Joelle is surprised Callen agrees with her - "no fight, no raised voices." Callen asks if that's what she wants. She does not so they're off to save the Prince. Callen has Sam go with Kensi and Deeks to the hotel. Sam is give Agent Bush a full debrief in hopes of saving Kamal.

Eric is walking from Hetty's area to the stairs up to Op when he sees Joelle in the bullpen. (Geez, Deeks wants a new super secrety hide out with the boat shed but that's a place for the team to meet with the public – what is Joelle doing in the bullpen? /rant) Eric pulls some sewing shears on Joelle but unfortunately, they are chained to the fabric table. Callen arrives, as does Nell who thinks Callen is insane for bringing Joelle to the office (and she has the highest IQ of anyone at NCIS so I think she agrees with me).

Callen explains that Carl Brown fed the CIA everything about the office – there's nothing she hasn't seen, even the big board in Ops. Callen wants Joelle to look through the backgrounds and photos of all the DSS Agents and the Prince's security team to find the CIA assassin. Joelle thinks going with Callen to see the Prince would be better. Callen does not. He leaves. Eric wants to tie Joelle up before they start reviewing the backgrounds. Nell thinks that excessive.

At the hotel, Agent Bush is a bit wary about Joelle's involvement. She was trying to kill the Prince just hours before. Kensi and Deeks correct Agent Bush – she wasn't trying to kill him and didn't kill anyone with the DSS or the Prince's entourage "that we know of," Deeks adds helpfully. Bush assigns Sam to stay with the Prince at all times. Sam asks about the Prince's return to the airport. He's going back on the helicopter, the decoy takes the limo. Sam wants that switched up. Bush feels like he's losing control of his assignment.

Sam makes it clear that when the helicopter is in the air, there is no way to protect the Prince. He can be protected on the ground. Bush is flying – despite his fear of heights – with the decoy, Sam is riding with the Prince, Kensi is on overwatch and Deeks is coordinating with LAPD. Bush is worried about the Prince but he's also worried about their careers.

In Ops, Joelle clears all the members of the DSS protective team and the Prince's security members. Eric has been reading more 2GS background info. The company was responsible for the assassination of at least two dozen international figures. Joelle snaps at Eric and Nell – there will be another dead leader if they don't let her help. Nell gives as good as she gets, saying they've been through this and Joelle is staying put per Callen's orders. Joelle demands to speak to Callen. Eric is not happy with Joelle's tone toward Nell. Saying "I like you two," Joelle makes it clear that if she really wanted to leave, Eric and Nell could not stop her. Pulling her gun from an under the desk holster, Nell disagrees. Calmly and politely, she asks for Callen – two "pleases" and everything.

Nell drives Joelle to the hotel in her mini-Cooper. Now wearing a suit similar to the protection detail's look, Joelle joins Callen. Nell warns Joelle that she's watching from Ops. Trying to make things light, Joelle jokes to Callen that she doesn’t remember Nell being that scary. Callen explains the idea of the Nellverene. Joelle will not be on comms and will not be armed. She will be looking the assassins and looking with Callen.

A few feet away, Sam tells Deeks he's going to get the Prince. Deeks asks if Sam trusts Joelle. He doesn’t answer that question but he says he trusts Callen. Deeks still thinks Joelle turned herself in for a second shot at the Prince. If Joelle is there to kill the Prince, it is "our job" to take her out according to Sam. He looks to the roof of a nearby building – Kensi has set up her sniper gear and is ready to go. She has Joelle firmly set as a target.

The Prince's entourage is leaving the suite. The Prince, who earlier was wearing a business suit, is now in more traditional thawb. Sam explains it is time to go. The Prince speaks glowingly of Los Angeles, it is so green. Dying in LA would be alright by the Prince but he'd prefer to die at home. Sam promises he'll get Prince home. The Prince believes only God could make that promise but he has faith in Sam. He asks Sam about where Sam would like to die – the sea. Even during war, Sam found peace at sea. The Prince is sorry there isn't a boat to the airport.

Leaving the suite, the decoy goes to the roof with Agent Bush, Sam takes the Prince to the limo. Deeks is going to be driving the security SUV – the Audi – behind the Prince's limo. On overwatch, Kensi tells him to be careful, one he is on the move, she can no longer cover his "ass". Deeks and his ass are going to be fine because they have a wedding to plan. Callen joins Nell in being surprised Kensi and Deeks are talking about getting married again. Kensi reminds Callen she's the one with the big gun.

Bush is not happy with the chitter-chatter. Joelle is looking all around but doesn't recognize anyone. She's worried the bad guys recognized her and sent a team of new people to kill the Prince. Callen tells her to relax but Joelle can't – the bad guys took her from her life, her family. She needs to stop them. Callen calms her – tells her to focus.

The Prince asks Sam to take him home. On the roof, Bush thinks he's talking to Agent Collins, the last man Joelle cleared in Ops, but it is the groom from the hallway. Phony Agent Collins turns around with his gun out. Bush pulls his weapon. The two men exchange fire. The groom is dead, Bush is hurt but able to call down that the bride is the assassin.

On the ground, Sam and the Prince are the length of the loading dock away from the limo. Joelle starts running toward the Prince just as Bush calls about the bride is sent. Kensi is about to shoot Joelle when everyone see Joelle pointing to a hotel maintenance worker on the loading dock platform. It is the bride and she's armed.

Calling to Kensi to shoot the person in the ballcap, Callen points out the killer to all. Sam and Joelle protect the Prince while Kensi, Callen and all the DSS Agents open fire. Sam hustles a grateful Prince into his limo. The Prince swears to Sam he is in Sam's debt. Sam wants to talk about the "Apocalypse Now" remake.

As Deeks disarms the dead bride/assassin, Joelle recognizes her as a CIA Officer a few years behind her at the Agency. Joelle didn't like her. Callen thought it was dumb for Joelle to run at the Prince. She thought saving the Prince was more important than the chance that Kensi would shoot her.

Bush is being wheeled into an ambulance with a shoulder wound when he calls to Callen. He apologizes to Callen for taking away Garrison/Nikita Reznikov/Nicky – it wasn't the right thing to take him away to save the photographers but he couldn't figure out another way. Callen admits he couldn't find another way either. Bush hopes Callen finds his father and is then put in the ambulance. Joelle asks what happened to Callen's father.

In the bullpen, Sam tells Kensi and Deeks he is getting to keep the suit, but the tailor is making a few alterations. Deeks talks about getting a tux for the wedding, Kensi talks about a dress. Deeks thinks they need a venue and a date, Kensi adds a guest list and wedding vows, catering, a registry. Sam stops them. Don't force the wedding, "do things on your time when you're ready. Three months, three years, we'll all show up no matter what." Deeks is grateful for the "wise words from a wise man." Sam adds that they shouldn’t wait three years.

Nell arrives with Eric. Joelle's contact at 2GS is alive, safe and willing to testify. With Joelle's evidence, 2GS offices are being raided all over the country. Joelle earned her freedom and can return to her family.

Outside Joelle's old home, she asks Callen what to say to her family. He has no idea since his sister isn't talking to him. Joelle can say something, anything to her loved ones. Eventually they will understand. Joelle leaves the car but as Callen pulls away, she walks from the front yard and down the street.

What head canon can be formed from here: Agent Bush gets the rare hero turn here as a guy the show set up as a bureaucratic villain in an earlier episode but who really was a competent fed who was doing his job as bad as that job may be. The Callen as the orphan storyline got a little revival here as he was the man with a family ripped away from him while Joelle was a woman with a family should would not rejoin. Kensi and Deeks's wedding was played for laughs but also I think it was a little fan service – get married already!

Episode number: Episode number three of season ten, 219 overall.

#NCIS: Los Angeles Rewatch #NCIS: Los Angeles #NCIS Los Angeles #NCIS: LA #ncis la

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