: 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
is the fourth episode of NCIS: Los Angeles season 14, originally airing on October 30, 2022 . Directed by Dennis Smith and written by Lee A. Carlisle, the episode pivots from standard international espionage to a deeply personal legal and technical mystery involving Sam Hanna's family. Plot Overview: The Investigation of Aiden Hanna
"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
The NCIS team, driven by Sam’s relentless defense of his son, uncovers a corporate conspiracy. They discover that the aircraft's autopilot system, manufactured by Starling Aeronautics, had a known flaw that was intentionally reintroduced for sabotage by Master Chief Frazier. Frazier was acting on behalf of a rival company seeking to acquire the program for itself. Key Subplots and Character Development
: Special Agent Devin Rountree continues his arc regarding the LAPD's racial profiling incident . He struggles with whether to fight for accountability when the officer involved is likely to only receive paid leave, eventually finding support in Admiral Kilbride and Fatima.
