Romance isn’t inherently a problem for the NCIS universe — but context matters. In NCIS: Origins, romantic tension sits at the heart of the story. Gibbs’ unresolved feelings for Lala Dominguez, paired with his impulsive marriage to Diane, feel organic because the prequel is framed as an emotional recollection of his past. The love triangle is built into the show’s DNA.
The flagship series, however, operates differently. Its recent move toward romantic entanglements — particularly the hinted triangle involving Torres, Knight, and Jimmy — clashes with its established identity. These characters have always been defined by trust, teamwork, and restraint. Turning them into romantic rivals risks cheapening those dynamics.
NCIS doesn’t lack emotional depth; it simply expresses it through loyalty, loss, and moral conflict rather than romantic chaos. As the franchise evolves, the challenge will be knowing when to embrace love stories — and when to leave well enough alone.
