Sadly, NCIS season 22 has confirmed my worst fears about the show, and I hope that CBS fixes it before it is too late. As one of broadcast TV’s longest-running shows, NCIS is already an institution. It has weathered so many changes in the past, including Mark Harmon’s exit in NCIS season 19 as Leroy Jethro Gibbs — something that I expected would be the end of the show. That said, it moved forward, and even staged some of its most memorable episodes in over 2 decades on the air. Unfortunately, it caught a snag in season 22.
After a shortened NCIS season. 21 due to the dual Hollywood strikes of 2023, the police procedural returned to its usual episode count. This meant that it had more time to explore both ongoing storylines and episodic narratives. Jessica Knight’s cliffhanger fate was immediately resolved, when she eventually returned to MCRT. Parker had a massive year, as he was reunited with his nemesis, Carla Marino, while Timothy McGee’s competition with Gabriel LaRoche ultimately ended in disappointment. Overall, however, NCIS season 22 was lackluster, which was made worse by what was happening in the bigger universe.
Let’s be real—NCIS used to be the gold standard of network crime dramas. It had heart, suspense, humor, and characters we’d follow to the ends of the Earth. But lately? It feels like the show’s spirit is slipping through our fingers. I’ve watched NCIS since Gibbs barked his first “Rule #1,” but something’s changed. And not for the better.
What’s Gone Wrong With NCIS?
The Magic Chemistry Has Fizzled Out
Remember the days of the team’s perfect chemistry? The way Tony teased McGee, how Abby’s quirks brought charm, and how Gibbs silently commanded every room? Now, it feels like everyone’s just… going through the motions.
Character Arcs Are Flatlining
A big part of NCIS’s success was its evolving characters. But the current arcs? Paper-thin. Motivations seem unclear, growth is minimal, and emotional depth is rare. There’s no “aha” moment anymore—just a slow, steady fade.
The Painful Departures Still Haunt Us
No Real Closure For Fan Favorites
Ziva’s return should’ve been epic. Instead, it felt rushed and hollow. Gibbs’ exit? Bitter-sweet at best. The worst part? Fans are left dangling, emotionally abandoned by the writers.
CBS Keeps Moving On Too Fast
One character leaves, and boom—a replacement arrives like it’s no big deal. But NCIS was built on connection, not convenience.
Storylines Have Grown Predictable
Where’s The Edge-Of-Your-Seat Drama?
Plot twists used to leave us reeling. Now? The mystery is often solved by the halfway mark. The writing plays it too safe, trading suspense for repetition.
Recycled Plots Are Dragging It Down
How many times can a Navy officer be found mysteriously dead before it starts feeling like déjà vu? It’s high time the showrunners gave the writing room a shake-up.
New Characters Aren’t Filling The Void
Personality Overload, No Substance
New additions like Parker and Knight had potential—but instead of enhancing the team, they often feel like awkward puzzle pieces in the wrong box. They try hard to be “quirky” or “tough,” but it rarely feels natural.
The Legacy Characters Are Missing
Where’s the depth that characters like Ducky, Abby, or even Bishop brought? These new recruits don’t carry the same emotional weight—and fans notice.
Too Much Focus On Spinoffs
Diluting The Core Show
Between NCIS: Hawaiʻi, NCIS: Sydney, and past spinoffs like NCIS: New Orleans, it feels like the franchise is spreading itself too thin. CBS seems more focused on expanding than enhancing.
Quantity Over Quality
Sure, we love a good NCIS universe—but not at the cost of the original. If the flagship suffers, what’s the point of the offshoots?
Viewership Is Slipping, And It’s Obvious
Fans Are Tuning Out
The ratings tell the story—people are losing interest. Not because they hate NCIS, but because they love it and want it to be better. There’s disappointment in every underwhelming episode.
CBS, Are You Listening?
Ignoring Feedback Will Cost You
Social media is full of frustrated fans. Reddit threads, tweets, YouTube rants—it’s all there. Loyal viewers are crying out for better writing, deeper characters, and meaningful storytelling. But CBS seems to be tuning it out.
What CBS Needs To Do To Save NCIS
Bring Back The Emotional Core
Rediscover The Human Element
What made NCIS special wasn’t just the cases—it was how those cases affected the characters. Bring back the heart, the vulnerability, the raw moments that made us care.
Give Characters Room To Grow
Let Arcs Evolve Naturally
We want to see journeys. We want Knight to have a real arc, not just banter. We want Torres to wrestle with his demons, not mask them in sarcasm. Give us the gritty emotional depth that built this show’s legacy.
Stop Relying On Nostalgia
Don’t Just Name-Drop Tony Or Ziva—Do Something With It
Teasing fan favorites without delivery is frustrating. If they’re not coming back, stop dangling the carrot. If they are—make it count. Don’t let their legacies be cheap cameos.
Fresh Writing, Not More Filler
Hire Writers Who Get It
Let’s get fresh perspectives in the writer’s room—people who understand what made early NCIS brilliant, and who know how to build new stories without leaning on the past.
Don’t Let The Legacy Crumble
Respect The Foundation
NCIS isn’t just another procedural—it’s a cultural icon. Treat it like one. The fans are still here. We’re just waiting for the NCIS we fell in love with to return.
Conclusion — The Clock Is Ticking, CBS
I never thought I’d say this, but watching NCIS has become a chore instead of a joy. It breaks my heart, truly. This show raised the bar for procedural dramas, but now it’s barely meeting the minimum. CBS, we’re begging you—don’t let NCIS die a slow, forgettable death. The fire can be rekindled. The heart can return. But you have to act now—before it’s too late.
