Reaching 500 episodes is a rare achievement in television, and NCIS marked the milestone with a dramatic episode designed to honor its legacy while pushing the story forward.
Showrunner Steven D. Binder revealed he wanted the installment to feel meaningful for longtime fans. The episode revisited connections to the early days of the series while introducing a major loss for the team with the death of director Leon Vance.
Still, the procedural remains one of CBS’ biggest successes. Since premiering in 2003, NCIS has grown into a global franchise with multiple spinoffs, including NCIS: Origins and NCIS: Sydney, along with the upcoming Tony & Ziva series.
With strong ratings and continued fan support, the future of the franchise looks secure even after two decades on the air.