Frank Military Delivers Torture, Twists & Tender Densi Moments in a Russia-Heavy Hour
By [Your Name] | TV Drama Watch | June 2025
Frank Military returned to the director’s chair with NCIS: LA’s “Through the Looking Glass,” and fans instantly knew they were in for a ride—emotionally raw, psychologically complex, and tinged with his signature darkness. Set against the ever-present Russian subplot and Joelle’s spiraling vendetta, this episode offered more than just plot mechanics. It gave us layered emotion, heartache, and a quietly powerful step forward in Kensi and Deeks’ ever-evolving journey.
🇷🇺 Another Day, Another Russian Plot…
If Season 12 had a subtitle, it might be “Russian Problems & Daddy Issues.” Through the Looking Glass revisits the former with Joelle’s bloody thirst for vengeance against the people who dismantled her life. While her storyline is steeped in loss and personal destruction, some viewers have grown weary of her arc. Though Frank Military gives her scenes gravitas, Joelle’s character risks overstaying her welcome—especially when her manipulations come at the cost of Callen and Sam’s sharp judgment.
Still, Military’s masterful tension-building and pacing ensure the case holds your attention, even if it drags you back to familiar geopolitical territory.
💔 Densi in the Dark
While international espionage might be the plot engine, the heart of the episode beats strongest in the intimate, domestic drama of Deeks and Kensi. With in-vitro attempts weighing them down, and the lurking threat of David Kessler casting a long shadow, this installment continues the pair’s ongoing fertility struggle.
Military gives us three standout scenes that show the quiet unraveling of Kensi’s emotional armor—and the unwavering presence of her partner. These aren’t just check-ins for fan service. They’re layered, authentic, and, in true Densi fashion, interrupted just when things get real. Thankfully, the script cleverly resumes their conversations rather than dismissing them entirely, allowing meaningful beats to breathe.
🎭 Performance Highlights
Daniela Ruah turns in a beautifully restrained performance, letting us feel the fatigue of Kensi’s emotional marathon. From fears about Kessler to quiet desperation over fertility setbacks, she brings rawness without ever losing Kensi’s strength.
Eric Christian Olsen complements her with a masterclass in subtle emotional support. His portrayal of Deeks as a partner who offers not just love but space, therapy, and understanding, reminds fans why he’s the moral compass of the show.
Their final exchange, where Kensi opens up to the idea of adoption, is the closest we’ve come to light at the end of the tunnel. Her vulnerability and his unwavering support hit just the right emotional chord.
💬 “You’re getting attacked from all sides, you’re trying to punch your way out… and in the midst of all that, you’re thinking about helping some kid?”
— Deeks, summing up exactly why he loves Kensi
🔍 Memorable Moments
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Joelle’s transformation into a haunted figure driven only by vengeance adds grit, even if viewers feel disconnected from her journey.
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Exploding car scenes and gritty reveals give us that edge-of-your-seat Military flavor.
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Kessler’s ominous postcard hints at future arcs while anchoring present dread.
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Deeks’ pink sweatshirt — a strange but endearing wardrobe choice that somehow works.
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Kilbride channeling Hetty with timely interruptions and dry one-liners adds levity to a heavy episode.
📺 Final Verdict: Deep Cuts Over Flashy Action
Through the Looking Glass may not reinvent the formula, but it digs deep where it matters most—into the emotional interiors of characters we’ve spent over a decade with. It trades adrenaline for authenticity, and spectacle for subtlety.
Is it a perfect episode? Not quite. The Russian plot fatigue is real, and Joelle’s arc remains divisive. But as a Densi character study, and a slow pivot toward adoption, it may just be one of Season 12’s most emotionally rewarding hours.
⭐ Episode Score: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
✔ Excellent performances
✔ Emotional depth
✔ Strong dialogue
✘ Overused Russia arc
✘ Joelle’s screen time outstaying its welcome
📝 Looking Ahead: The Finale Tease
With only one episode left, the finale promises a mix of lightness and danger—cue Surfer Deeks in a wetsuit getting kidnapped. Whether that balances out the emotional weight of this episode remains to be seen.
🗣️ Join the Conversation:
Did Through the Looking Glass strike a chord or feel like déjà vu? Are you on board with a potential Densi adoption arc? Let us know in the comments or tag us on socials with #NCISLAWeekly.
