"ncis: Los Angeles" - Dead Stick(2022)

: Regulars Kensi Blye and Marty Deeks are notably absent from this episode. This allowed for more focus on Sam's family and gave characters like Shyla Dahr a chance to step into field operations. Thematic Significance

The central conflict begins when Sam’s son, Aiden Hanna, crashes his fighter jet during a test mission, narrowly avoiding a residential area. Investigators immediately suspect pilot error, threatening Aiden's career. Due to a concussion, Aiden has memory gaps, leaving him unable to defend himself initially. "NCIS: Los Angeles" Dead Stick(2022)

"Dead Stick" emphasizes the theme of family loyalty against rigid institutional systems. It highlights how personal bias can cloud investigation but also how a team's collective trust can overcome corporate deception. Critics at Fangirlish noted that while it effectively grounded Sam’s character, the absence of "Densi" (Deeks and Kensi) shifted the show's usual dynamic significantly. "NCIS: Los Angeles" Dead Stick (TV Episode 2022) - IMDb : Regulars Kensi Blye and Marty Deeks are