MovieChat Forums > NCIS: Los Angeles (2009) Discussion > How would you reorganise the team?

How would you reorganise the team?

posted 7 years ago by MarleyMilk
16 replies | jump to latest

S7's ratings were poor, and now there's strong hints that the cast will be shaken up. How would you reorganise the team going forward into a possible S9?

Imo the big change needs to be with Deeks. He and the role that he plays needs to end. I don't want to hate, but his character is polarising to say the least. Many people are put off by his "humour" and he's a big reason why the show has been bleeding viewers. They need to drop this infantile tone and bring in mature characters.

The main team should be as it were in early season 1;

Callen, Sam, Kensi, Hetty, Eric and hopefully Nate stays.

The 4th agent spot should be left open so different characters at different points can fill in. So maybe Anna partners for half the season, then moves on. Then Eric has a stint because of some story arch. Then a case requires another agent from somewhere to join the team, so they're brought in for a season max. Then some newbie comes for a while etc.. They should just leave that spot open so they can keep the stories and characters fresh for future seasons.

If not, then I'd like to see Eric gradually move into that role permanently, and the show should bring in a new techie person. Someone who is not annoying!

And if another permanent character is brought in, it should be for a new role. For those who watched La Femme Nikita, it would be good to have a new character in the Walter role. Someone running the armoury and giving the agents weapons.

[–] itslikethis 7 years ago

Interesting idea. I agree that Deeks--and especially the focus on Densi--was what drove viewership down in both season 6 & 7 (I didn't even watch season 7). Deeks is an idiot character: sexist, immature, unbelievable, and just stupid.

I'd like to see them bring in a new character more like Dom. Kensi did a good job as his partner, and she needs a regular partner IMO. But the character needs to be a REAL NCIS agent and not a liaison--that's lame. NCIS could have an agreement with LAPD and get rid of the liaison position.

I like Eric & Nell in OPS, so I'd keep them there. I'd like to see Nate come back more often, and I don't mind Anna.

[–] IFeelPossessed 7 years ago

Eric should stay out of the field. If he doesn't get someone killed, he will get killed.
Nell should also stay in Ops. I don't like her in the field as I generally find her character extremely patronising.

I would hate for a character similar to Dom to be brought in. He was boring and to kill him off was the best move the show could have made in Season 1.

I can see Granger being killed off as clearly the character has some serious health issues, which might mean changes to the senior roles within the LA office.

Bringing in another character who people love to hate is always a good move, for the other characters too (e.g. Hunter v Callen, Granger v Callen & the others).

[–] MarleyMilk 7 years ago

I like Nell too tbh, I'd keep her. I just miss the tone of early S1.

And Dom was not given enough time to develop. He brought the right dynamic to the team. He was fun without being annoying, and Kensi wasn't bogged down in a stupid romance.

[–] bliss_pepper 7 years ago

Agree with you about Dom--he wasn't given enough time and he was funny without being annoying. It was good to have a less experienced agent being mentored by the team members.

[–] MarleyMilk 7 years ago

Yes. This is what I liked about Dom. Plus it meant that Kensi was the senior partner, which was good for her character. I liked seeing her in that mentoring role. Once Deeks came along, she regressed. Her characterisation has mostly revolved around Deeks and Densi ever since.

[–] JB_me 7 years ago

No kidding. She's gone from bad ass to butt kisser.

[–] robocop-37224 7 years ago

Definitely keep Eric out of the field cause he's just soF ucking Annoying. Plus he acts so Stupid in that role. There's a saying that goes" if it's not broke, don't fix it"! Well it wasn't broke and yet they brought in Deeks,Anna,and way too many extras to fast. They got more done with Callen, Sam and Kensi not to mention ALL OF THE CASES WERE MILITARY RELATED.

[–] MarleyMilk 7 years ago

Yeah, that's another thing. I'd like to see more military related stuff again.

[–] ScrystaLz 7 years ago

The first thing I would do is just to get rid of Deeks then make Anna a permanent member of the team...and maybe even have her replace Deeks and make her Kensi's new partner in the field. And bring Nate back on a permanent capacity too, like he was in season 1.

Wouldn't change anything else.

[–] darkavenger77 7 years ago

One of two ways, either more ridiculous or for a change, serious:

1) The Challenger becomes an agent similar to KITT on Knight Rider (1982). They have a crossover episode with Hawaii Five-0 (2010) with stunts and special effects to rival a summer blockbuster. ING is accidentally electrocuted and becomes a ghost. In a crossover episode with Supernatural (2005), he is ganked by Dean. SN enlists in the Navy and becomes the only member of SEAL Team 6. EBB works undercover as either a lingerie or swimsuit model in every episode.

-OR-

2) PEBG is fired for failing to follow grooming regulations. Deeks is returned to the LAPD, but instead quits and launches a successful comedy act. ALL cases are related to either the USN or USMC (weird concept, I know ). Replacing PEBG is a Captain America-like veteran agent that goes by the book. ING is killed performing field work he was clearly unqualified for, and the APD is sacked as a result. A zen-like team leader is introduced that is similar in ways to a younger Gibbs. Rounding out the team is a new recruit from FLETC that is eager to learn NCIS field work. Granger passes away from service-related illness and is given a military honors funeral. No replacement is seen since Assistant Directors do not perform field work.

NCIS: LA Character Acronyms (unique signature for this post series for new members)
APD= All-Powerful Dwarf, Hetty
EBB= Eastern Block Barbie, Anna
ING= Irritating Nerd Guy, Beale
PEBG= Poorly Executed Beard Guy, Callen
SN= Super Nell
TTS= The Trained Seal, Sam

[–] JB_me 7 years ago

Fire Callen because he doesn't follow grooming regulations? How dumb. Does a little facial hair bother you that much? Geesh, get over it. I do think the Deeks comedy act is a great idea.

[–] bliss_pepper 7 years ago

Making the show silly is just a dumb idea. As for removing Callen as the team leader, that's even dumber. He's a perfect team leader. Who the heck cares about his beard growth? Removing him would be an absolute disaster, as would getting rid of Hetty. We don't need another Gibbs. Besides, he wouldn't fit L.A. Eric has to stay; regardless of his quirks, he has mad computer skills. Getting rid of Deeks is the one good idea you had.

[–] darkavenger77 7 years ago

Making the show silly is just a dumb idea. As for removing Callen as the team leader, that's even dumber. He's a perfect team leader. Who the heck cares about his beard growth? Removing him would be an absolute disaster, as would getting rid of Hetty. We don't need another Gibbs. Besides, he wouldn't fit L.A. Eric has to stay; regardless of his quirks, he has mad computer skills. Getting rid of Deeks is the one good idea you had.

It's easy to criticize.. seeing as how you have not posted one, what is your answer to the topic my most intelligent friend?

BTW, someone as smart as you has probably figured out by now that there are a diversity of opinions on nearly every subject matter, to include TV shows. What's wrong for one is good for another. But if it makes you feel superior, keep on insulting others as to their opinions.

Ignoring politics doesn't mean politics will ignore you.
-Pericles paraphrased in <100 characters

[–] bliss_pepper 7 years ago

Obviously, these are my ideas. I didn't think I'd have to state the obvious, but I will be sure and do that from now on in case other posters mistake my opinions for their own.

As for reorganizing the team, I did make comments in my critique of your suggestions: keep Callen, keep Hetty, keep Eric--in OPS, get rid of Deeks. There was no mention of removing Sam, so his staying is a given. As for Nell, I would keep her--but in OPS--and I would keep Kensi. Kensi could have a new partner, or they could partner her with Anna. Also, I would bring Nate back occasionally to help team members with problems and to evaluate them. I would have another Asst. Director as I think Hetty is better when she has a "friendly" antagonist.

[–] robocop-37224 7 years ago

DarkAdventure..I agree EBB doubleDD's should be in a swimsuit every week, braless on Sat and in a wet T shirt, braless and bottomless as well on Sundays. KITT would be driven by PEBG.definitely give Grainger a full military funeral but no
1) SNTNS( super Nell the Navy seal)
2) get rid of Deeks. For good!
3) give Kensi her balls back
4) leave Eric in ops
5) leave Hetty also

[–] darkavenger77 7 years ago

DarkAdventure..I agree EBB doubleDD's should be in a swimsuit every week, braless on Sat and in a wet T shirt, braless and bottomless as well on Sundays.

Sounds like you're in the coveted 18-25 male demographic. 

As to the rest, there are any number of ways the show could go. No one in Hollywood listens to us here on IMDB, so it's just a fun writing exercise.

Ignoring politics doesn't mean politics will ignore you.
-Pericles paraphrased in <100 characters