Here’s a high-level analysis of how NCIS’s writing turned Tobias Fornell into an unnecessary tragedy, based on fan discussions and critiques.
How NCIS’s Writing Turned Fornell into an Unnecessary Tragedy
1. Emily Fornell’s Death: A Heavy-Handed Plot Device
Fornell’s storyline reaches its darkest point with the death of his daughter, Emily, from a relapse and overdose. Many fans felt this twist served little narrative purpose and leaned into shock value rather than nuanced storytelling:
“Emily… she could have lived, and nothing in that story arc would have suffered.”
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Reddit users were particularly vocal:
“I did not enjoy them turning her into a drug addict… weak writing IMO…”
“Still so SO mad they killed off Emily. Completely unnecessary!!!… destroyed the Fornell character too.”
A top-voted critique summed it up bluntly:
“Killing Emily Fornell has to be the most unnecessary ‘kill off’ in NCIS history.”
2. The “Fridging” Trope: Saddling the Man with Misery
Fans also flagged how Fornell’s suffering follows a trope where female characters are killed to propel male emotional arcs:
“They love the fridging trope. Kate killed to get to Gibbs, Diane & Emily to affect Fornell… Lazy writing.”
3. A Life of Tragedy Without Payoff
Tobias Fornell has endured extraordinary trauma:
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His ex-wife Diane (one of Gibbs’s ex-wives) was murdered.
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He survived being shot and fired from the FBI.
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Then — his daughter dies unexpectedly, pushing him to the brink again.
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Fans empathized with how much he had already endured:
“Talk about a sad storyline. Wife killed, daughter dies… his alcoholism… in and out status with the FBI.”
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These repeated tragedies felt excessive rather than impactful to many viewers.
4. Lost Potential in Fornell’s Character Arc
Amid all this gloom, fans missed the depth and chemistry of Fornell’s relationship with Gibbs and other characters:
“Is it just me or does Fornell never get enough screen time?!… So much depth and growth… I would love to see him in every single episode.”
A more optimistic arc could have kept him grounded in the show, rather than turning his life into a relentless tragedy.
Final Thoughts
NCIS’s decision to center so much grief around Tobias Fornell—heralding his daughter’s death for dramatic effect—left many fans feeling it was stories piled on for shock, not emotional resonance. The writing choices turned Fornell from a complex, beloved friend of Gibbs into a figure defined by suffering—without the narrative payoff or character growth such arcs typically demand.
Let me know if you’d like a deeper breakdown of other characters’ arcs or writing critiques in NCIS!
