NCIS: Los Angeles

For crime show lovers, the name NCIS: Los Angeles probably sparks some hint of recognition. It is not related to the CSI franchise, however, except in as much as it shares a network with them. Rather, it is the spin-off of the hugely popular NCIS, known in some cases by its rather redundant first season title 'Navy NCIS.'

NCIS stands for the Naval Criminal Investigative Services, which polices crimes committed by and against Navy personnel and the Marines. In the Los Angeles spin-off, the agents work for the covert operations branch of NCIS, called the Office of Special Projects. Heading up the OSP is Henrietta (Hetty) Lange, a fearsome and brilliant but vertically-challenged leader.

Running the field operations team is agent G Callen. He doesn't know what his first name is, and neither does the government. Raised in orphanages, he is a trusted comrade of Agent Gibbs from the original series.

Agent Sam Hanna is Callen's partner, and the only person Callen truly trusts. A former Navy SEAL, Hanna has more faith in his fellow man, but respects Callen's instincts. The two of them work together like a well-oiled team, and engender many jokes about their 'work marriage'.

Junior agents Kensi Blye and Dominic Vail round out the first season field operations team. Kensi is a former military brat who uses her skills, brain and appearance equally well in the field. Dominic is the newest agent, and means well but still has some rough edges.

Operational psychologist Nate Getz is the tallest member of the team, towering over everyone in the room at all times. He provides valuable psychological insight into the minds of the criminals that the OSP deals with. Computer technician Eric Beale works in the heart of a suite of modern electronics, pulling up information as fast as the agents can use it. He likes to summon everyone to meetings with a whistle, a habit Hetty isn't too fond of.

NCIS: Los Angeles takes the idea of the original series and spins it out in a new direction to create chaos and intrigue on the sunny beaches of LA. The show maintains the quality of NCIS and the comradery of the original team, while the covert mandate of the OSP creates new adventures for them. Fans of a good crime drama that doesn't ignore character development will enjoy this one a lot.