Cliffhangers can drive any innocent television viewer to the brink of insanity. During the show's offseason, they're left to toil in their anxieties and rot in their anguish. It's understandable that producers want to keep fans engaged, but at what cost? What's a show if its most loyal viewers drop dead of a heart attack before next season's premiere due to the intensity of last season's finale?
For fans of "NCIS: LA," this sensation is all too familiar. Last season left off with two of the departments most beloved detectives in dire circumstances. And now fans desperately seek for details on the upcoming fifth season in hopes of learning detectives Sam and Deeks' fate.
The duo will escape the menacing hands of their torturer, however, they will suffer detrimental side effects while coping with their past, which could affect Deeks' relationship with Rachel. As executive producer Shane Brennan tells Entertainment Weekly, both his past and blossoming romance will greatly tie into the new season, and that could push him to open the coveted box.
"I can absolutely [promise] that you will see the box in every episode, where Deeks left it. It's still there," Brennan said. "There may be a moment this season where - because of what he's been through and because of the kiss and because of the delicate nature of the relationship between Kensi and Deeks - that Deeks gets the box down, and picks up those scissors, and maybe opens the box or maybe doesn't." Great. Another cliffhanger.
As for Kensi, she will have a hard time staying focused after the two locked lips last season. "He fired something up in her," Brennan said. To make matter even more difficult, her first task will be rescuing Deeks from Sidorov
"It's not just her partner she's saving; it's this guy she might have a future with," said Daniela Ruah, who plays Kensi on the show. Deeks will eventually make it out safe and sound, but he'll be battling both the traumatizing aftermath of his torture while juggling his feelings for Kensi, which could make things interesting.
"NCIS: LA" will return to CBS September 24.