Kensi Blye - a paradox in development - Part 1

This is a critisism of the character, not the actress Daniela Ruah (whom I like)

Kensi is probably the character I disliked most when I first watched NCIS:LA and have now, after 1 year ended up liking the most. She has developed so much over 3 season that it´s pretty astounding. But it´s also good to see how her character has improved and gotten better and better. Right now, she is one of the better created characters on TV.

In season 1, she is the super-ninja-kick-ass-deadly-agent that can assassinate, kill, destroy, hurt and injure people without ruining a fingernail and look sexy while at it. She is the alpha female, beautiful looking but still deadly. And she manages to put her life in danger over and over again, use her sexuality to get suspects (which is an aspect I have never enjoyed in her character) and shoot and kill dozens of people without blinking an eye. Nothing seems to affect her, except when Don dies (probably the first moment she was genuinely hurt in the series). She is very unrealistic and definitely not someone females can relate to. As a character she has her moments but a lot of the time, she is flat and unemotional. She does her part well but she seems to have no soul, no feelings, no back story. It seems it´s not until the last 4-5 episodes of season 1 she suddenly starts springing out as a real character. And that is great to watch. At least, when watching old episodes, I detect a great change between the earlier and later episodes of season 1.

In season 2 there is a sudden developement in her character straight from the beginning which is very welcomed (where Deeks plays a part). Suddenly as a character she starts to display more feelings and seems much more affected by what she does. She is no longer the unfeeling ninja-assassin agent but someone that´s a kick-ass agent with a healthy dose of feelings. Her back story is explained and it gives her more depth. She starts to relate more to people (such as in the black widow episode) and is affected by what goes on around her. And I can´t help but mention that her humour suddenly explodes. I can´t count all the times I either giggle or laugh heartily at the antics she and Deeks pull off.   Episode 2x17 is a turning point because she is genuinely affected by Deeks being shot and is shown being scared, confused, worried, frustrated and feels the negative aspects of her job. She is someone that really feels, someone that´s human (And Ruah´s performance in this episode was great!).

In episode 2x20 The Job she is at her best in my opinion in season 2 She does pull the ninja-agent-seducing card but she does it with a genuinely human feeling. She is shocked when a man is shot, scared when she needs to meet the thief, tired and off after being hit on the jaw (probably the first time an injury she has sustained has had any lasting damage) and she is for the first time terrified of what might happen. In other words, she goes through a range of emotions that make her seem wonderfully human. This is the episode where I really began to enjoy Kensi as a character and like her. And I have re-watched it several times and each time, enjoyed it as much.

It´s kind of like the writers had a burst of epiphany between season 1 and 2 about how they wanted to develope character and the end result is great!

Next Part will be about season 3 and a little bit more dissecting :)

Deeks - A good character

I just got my first comment! Thank you Edgar Allen :)

The blog post today is dedicated to the character Marty Deeks on NCIS:LA, because he is my favourite character on that show (Kensi is 2nd). He is in my opinion, the best created character and here´s why in bullet points:

-He is not a superpower, ninja agent. He is "just" a cop which incidentally makes him more toned down than the others and more subtle.

-He is uncomfortable with all the killing they have to do (while the other just shoot away) and when he shot an unarmed man he was distressed and worried. He has a motto of shooting only those who intend to harm him or are aiming a gun at him and shooting. Never ever unarmed people or citizens.

-He knows when NOT to shoot (unlike the rest that seem happy to shoot pretty much anyone) and has the glorious quote:"They gave me a gun because I know when not to shoot. If I have lost that edge, I am just another thug with a gun".

-He talks a lot, has an awkward aura about him and makes blundering mistakes. I can so sympathysize with him talking a lot (a bad habit of mine!) and it´s refreshing to see a character that´s not perfect, but is  human and makes mistakes and is a bit blundering.

-He has his issues with sensitivity, chappy lips, dry skin, losing a fingernail and little petty stuff. While it´s little things it´s good to have a character to complains about them and it makes him more human.

-His constant talking and offhand remarks always make me laugh. He is witty, awkward, gloriously unassuming and funny as hell.

-He is incredibly loyal, particularly to Kensi and is always protecting her. It´s a lovely thing to see and it makes their bond that more realistic and nuanced.

-He is uncomfortable with some of things they do. He just doesn´t march on like the rest (well not Kensi) like nothing affects him. He is affected and shows his feelings, both good and bad.

-He displays connection towards other characters and reaches out to them which is always wonderful to see. He is awkward when communicating but he does it sincerely.

-He admits that he has weaknesses and that he had a difficult past. And that yes, he has not moved far aay from the place he grew up in. He admits he isn´t perfect, that things affect him and that he´s still figuring life out. He is human.

-He is Norwegian-American. As a Norwegian, it makes me very happy :)

I love watching Deeks on NCIS:LA and I am a subtle fangirl.

And next up for dissection is Kensi as a character.