The NCIS pilot recently celebrated its 21st anniversary, and even after all these years, I still consider it to be the best episode of the entire series. As one of the longest-running scripted shows on television, NCIS has become more than just a hit; it’s a television institution. Over the years, it has spawned several spinoffs, including the upcoming NCIS: Origins, which focuses on a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, and NCIS: Tony & Ziva, a new series on Paramount+ centered around fan favorites Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo’s characters. While each of these shows has its own fanbase, I personally remain loyal to the flagship series. Even after more than two decades on the air, NCIS continues to stand out as my favorite.
Recently, CBS’ NCIS franchise reached a significant milestone, celebrating its overall 1,000th episode. This achievement encompasses all of the various spinoffs, but fittingly, the commemorative episode came from the original series, which has contributed around 450 episodes to that total. Having watched most of them, I can acknowledge that not every episode has been a standout, but that’s inevitable given the many changes the show has undergone. From cast shifts to behind-the-scenes personnel changes, NCIS has weathered its fair share of transformations. Yet despite the highs and lows, for me, the pilot remains unmatched. Its combination of stellar writing, gripping storytelling, and character dynamics set a tone that still resonates, even after all this time. Out of everything NCIS has produced, that very first episode continues to be the gold standard.
