Hold onto your Caf-Pow, folks… “NCIS” is about to break our collective hearts. Wilmer Valderrama (a.k.a. Nick Torres) just dropped the kind of season finale tease that has fans spiraling: “Somebody dies—and it’s not the murder of the week. It’s somebody, unfortunately, very close to us,” he told E! News. No, your eyes aren’t going out: you’ve read that right. A major character is getting the axe, and it’s going to hit way too close to home.
This show has pulled some emotional punches over the years, but this one? Feels different. It feels personal.
Not the Guest Star, This Time
Valderrama didn’t name names (rude), but he made it clear that the death will shake the team to its core and set the stage for a very different Season 23. “We will see the team go rogue in ways we’ve never seen before,” he teased (E! News). So… who’s it gonna be?
Fan theories are flying. Over on X, one viewer summed up their thoughts with: “I hope it’s no McGee! I hope that’s not why Tony is crying on Ziva’s shoulder in the TIVA preview. ANYBODY but Tony’s Probie please….” Same, friend. Same.
Another fan chimed in with, “I’m still reeling from when they did that to Caitlin Todd,” which is fair.
But it was this comment that got us in the feels: “Praying that everyone makes out of the NCIS season finale alive next week since the theme seems to be killing off main characters.” Honestly, we’re all one bad reveal away from rage-quitting or crying into our gear bags.
Still, you’ve got to hand it to the writers; they know how to keep us invested. Valderrama called this finale “earth-shattering and heartbreaking,” (E! News). And you know what? Mission accomplished. We’re stressed.
Pain Now, Payoff Later?
It sucks to lose a fave, but even long-running shows need a shakeup every now and then. As much as we hate the idea of saying goodbye, it seems like this twist could lead to some seriously juicy arcs next season.
One Redditor spoke with sincerity saying, “Honestly none, NCIS has been going for that long and has had so many brilliant characters come… I’ve just accepted one day if the show doesn’t end then none of the original cast will remain.”
So while we may be crying into our keyboards come Monday, there’s always hope. New energy. New stories. Maybe even a new face or two. And let’s be honest, “NCIS” has a knack for turning heartbreak into high-stakes drama.
Whatever happens, one thing’s clear: this finale isn’t just a goodbye…it’s a game-changer. See you on the other side.
The “NCIS” Season 22 Finale (Episode 20, “Nexus”) airs Monday, May 5th, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET on CBS.
