While the drone plot provides the action, the episode’s true "recovery" refers to the psychological and romantic state of the characters.
: Coming off a season where Deeks suffered significant trauma, his undercover role at a rehab facility mirrors his internal struggle with PTSD.
: Leonida possessed high-level IT knowledge, and the team discovers he was drugged and interrogated for information that would grant access to U.S. military drones in the Middle East. NCIS.Los.Angeles.S05E09.HDTV.x264-LOL.[VTV].mp4
: To investigate from the inside, Kensi poses as a nutritionist while Deeks goes undercover as a patient struggling with sex addiction.
" Recovery " serves as a bridge between the high-octane cases of NCIS: Los Angeles and its deeper character studies. It highlights how the team members' personal lives and past traumas are inextricably linked to their professional performance. The episode is frequently cited by fans for its balance of humor (largely through Deeks' undercover persona) and the emotional weight of its ending, which set the stage for Kensi’s subsequent deployment to Afghanistan. While the drone plot provides the action, the
Review: NCISLA “Recovery” (S5E9) – wikiDeeks | Marty Deeks
: The episode concludes with a significant shift in the "Densi" relationship. Deeks takes Kensi to a nice restaurant instead of the casual taco spot he originally suggested. military drones in the Middle East
The procedural plot begins with the suspicious death of Navy Lieutenant Commander Gary Leonida, whose body is found in a swimming pool at , an upscale addiction recovery center in Malibu.