he NCIS Season 22 Finale Breaks Viewers’ Hearts for All the Wrong Reasons
Season finales are supposed to leave you stunned, excited, and counting the days until the next chapter — but NCISSeason 22’s finale? It hit differently. Instead of the usual mix of emotional closure and suspenseful cliffhangers, many fans walked away feeling more frustrated than fulfilled.
Let’s dive into why the finale left hearts broken — and not necessarily in a good way.
A Twist Too Far?
Sure, NCIS has always thrived on twists — but this time, the twist felt more like a betrayal. The reveal of Carla Marino as the true antagonist came out of nowhere, with very little build-up. Some fans felt blindsided, not in the clever, well-planted-seed kind of way, but in a “wait, who is she again?” kind of way.
It wasn’t the kind of twist that made fans gasp — it was the kind that made them rewind to see what they missed, only to realize there wasn’t much foreshadowing at all.
Parker’s Cliffhanger Felt Unfair
Agent Parker being kidnapped in the final moments should’ve been a gripping cliffhanger. Instead, it left viewers annoyed. After carrying much of the season’s emotional and leadership weight, his fate was left hanging in the balance — not in a suspenseful “what happens next?” way, but more of a “that’s it?” kind of frustration.
Add in the possible off-screen death of his father and it felt like the finale was trying to cram tragedy into the closing minutes for shock value rather than storytelling depth.
No Payoff for Long-Term Arcs
Fans have stuck with NCIS for over two decades. They expect continuity, callbacks, and meaningful progression. Season 22 built up several promising arcs — Torres’ undercover op, McGee’s growing leadership, even Vance’s secretive behavior — but most of them either fizzled out or got shoved to the side in favor of last-minute drama.
For long-time viewers, it felt like an emotional investment with little return.
Character Death Teased… But Was It Worth It?
Wilmer Valderrama teased a “heartbreaking, earth-shattering” death leading up to the finale. While the episode was emotional, the actual death was ambiguous and off-screen. Some fans felt misled, while others were confused about who had actually died (if anyone definitively had).
That kind of hype needs a payoff. Without it, you’re left with disappointment rather than drama.
McGee Deserved More
One of the few highlights was McGee stepping into the spotlight. But even then, his role in the finale was overshadowed by the chaos around him. After 22 seasons, fans expected a more deliberate handoff of leadership or at least a solid emotional moment that acknowledged his journey. What we got instead was rushed and underwhelming.
Conclusion: A Finale That Fell Flat
There’s no doubt NCIS will bounce back — it’s too beloved not to. But Season 22’s finale was a rare misstep for a series known for its emotional precision and long-term payoff. Between rushed twists, unresolved arcs, and an over-reliance on shock over substance, the finale broke hearts — but not for the reasons the writers probably intended.
Let’s just hope Season 23 brings more clarity, more payoff, and a lot less confusion.
