Twelve years later, NCIS: Los Angeles Season 5’s “Merry Evasion” remains the show’s strongest holiday hour — even outshining the fan-favorite “Humbug.” What makes it hold up? It’s not the romance or holiday fluff. It’s the perfect blend of suspense, character depth, and emotional tension.
The episode follows the team protecting Senator Lockhart’s daughter, Lily (Michelle Trachtenberg), in a fast-paced chase filled with CIA tricks, narrow escapes, and a storyline tied to Chinese cyber operations. Callen and Sam carry the action, while the rest of the team handles the fallout from the episode’s biggest shadow: Kensi’s absence.
Set during her Afghanistan arc, “Merry Evasion” uses the distance between Kensi and Deeks to full effect. She’s exhausted and homesick; he’s lost without her. Hetty’s secret gift — a secure line home — leads to a tender, awkward, quietly devastating phone call that becomes the episode’s emotional heart.
With Kensi away, the series leans into an unexpected delight: the Deeks–Nell pairing. Their mix of mentorship, humor, and surprising chemistry adds levity without weakening the stakes.
“Humbug” may deliver the iconic “all in” moment, but “Merry Evasion” is the more complete episode. It blends tension, humor, ensemble balance, and just enough holiday spirit to capture what NCIS: LA always did best: found-family warmth wrapped in high-stakes chaos.
