I’ve been a dedicated NCIS viewer for years. That comforting mix of naval intrigue, crime-solving, and family-like teamwork kept me tuning in week after week. Lately, though? My worst fears have become reality. The show feels hollow, off-brand—and in danger of losing its identity. WWE-style character drama, generic cop plots, and cartoonish writing have replaced the military substance that made NCIS great. If CBS doesn’t course-correct soon, the whole franchise could unravel.
NCIS Has Evolved into a Generic Cop Drama
Navy Context All But Vanished
Fans on Reddit lament that the show rarely tackles real naval or Marine Corps issues now:
“Many episodes only seem to have tangential connection to the Navy… it feels like they realize at the last minute that it’s supposed to be naval crime.” reddit.com+15reddit.com+15looper.com+15
A common complaint: off-base murders better suited to local police or FBI, not NCIS.
Personal Drama Overshadows Procedural Rigor
The current trend: case threads always revolve around personal crises.
“Almost every single case is somehow personally involved with a main character… Season 22 has been the weakest by far.” reddit.comreddit.com
Longtime fans feel the methodical crime-solving has taken a back seat.
The Cast Chemistry Has Disintegrated
Original Team Missing the Glue
With departures of Gibbs, Tony, Ziva, and Abby, the show lost its foundation.
“It fell off when Tony left… it cratered when Gibbs left.” reddit.com+7reddit.com+7reddit.com+7
The current team never reached that authentic “found-family” feel, according to reddit users.
New Characters Feel Flat
Attempts to replace originals with Torres or Bishop have flopped. Fans call them “one-dimensional,” lacking depth:
“They are indeed one-dimensional.” looper.com+15reddit.com+15reddit.com+15
CBS clearly misjudged when onboarding replacements without the charisma of their predecessors.
Writing Quality Is at an All-Time Low
Soap-Opera Energy Over Crime Rigor
Showrunner Binder’s scripts have tipped too far into melodrama.
“It feels like a sitcom… just shitty soap opera-ish characters.”reddit.com+1reddit.com+1looper.com+9reddit.com+9screenrant.com+9
Echoing Looper, the show now relies on emotional melodrama and lacks the depth of earlier seasonsreddit.com+6looper.com+6looper.com+6.
Plot Holes and Continuity Errors
Longtime viewers spot obvious mistakes that break immersion—out-of-sequence backstories, reused tropes, and technical slips forums.primetimer.com+9looper.com+9screenrant.com+9.
No one expects perfection—but consistency and respect for the story’s own world matter.
Viewer Fatigue Is Real—and Alarming
Fans Are Jumping Ship
Reddit users report frustration, boredom, and disillusionment. One post reads:
“I’m done… it’s directionless… feels like it’s written by AI.” looper.com+1scorpiolikeyou.com+1reddit.com
And ratings? They remain decent, but enthusiasm is fading fast.
What CBS Must Do—And Do Now
Reclaim the Military Core
Bring real naval cases back—shipboard crimes, military espionage, and on-base investigations. Echoing early seasons, invest in authenticity reddit.com+3euro.dayfr.com+3reddit.com+3reddit.com+2reddit.com+2reddit.com+2.
Fix Character Depth
Give McGee, Knight, Parker real arcs. Let them grow, disagree, and inspire emotional buy-in.
Bring Back Franchise Legends
Bring in Gibbs, Tony, Ziva, or even Fornell through cameos—reviving emotional ballast and shared historyimdb.com+6reddit.com+6reddit.com+6.
Hire Better Writers
Quality writing matters. Stop chasing soap opera tropes and focus on procedure, tension, and naval authenticity.
Restructure the Format
Consider shedding episodes or retooling the format—cut filler and double down on core strengths.
The Real Cost of Ignoring Fans
Without an overhaul, NCIS risks becoming just another bland procedural—losing its unique flavor. More viewers will drop off, casting doubts on the franchises: Origins, Sydney, Hawaii—all at stake if the flagship sinks.
Conclusion
NCIS isn’t dead—yet. But it’s veering dangerously off course. CBS must act—refocus on naval roots, restore emotional authenticity, supercharge character arcs, and hire writers who understand what made NCIS a global phenomenon. Do this now—or risk losing a treasured institution to soulless apathy.
FAQs
1. Has NCIS really lost its naval focus?
Yes. Reddit users note little to no real navy investigations—casual crime cases dominate instead. imdb.comreddit.com
2. Why are fans leaving in droves?
Reddit threads cite poor writing, lack of naval plots, cartoonish characters, and repetitive storylines.
3. Can returning legacy characters help?
Absolutely. Fan polls show Gibbs, Tony, or Ziva cameos renew emotional engagement.reddit.com+15looper.com+15reddit.com+15
4. Are new NCIS characters bad?
Criticism centers on them being shallow, filled with soap-opera drama, and lacking deeper arcs.reddit.com+7reddit.com+7reddit.com+7
5. What writing changes does NCIS need?
Move away from personal drama, plug plot holes, focus on naval cases, and improve character development. Hire stronger writers.
If we love NCIS, we owe it this much. Time to bring it back—before it’s too late.
