“Deciding where to begin with the sprawling saga of ‘NCIS’ can be daunting. Fans generally advise starting from the beginning of its 21-season journey to fully grasp the characters and their evolution. While some suggest jumping into the latest season for a quicker catch-up, the majority on the ‘NCIS’ subreddit insist that the early seasons are essential viewing. According to one user, ‘The first seasons are where the show shines brightest—why miss out?’
However, not everyone agrees. On Quora, user Jeremy Cox points out that newer seasons are designed to accommodate new viewers, with minimal references to past episodes. Yet, ongoing storylines like Alden Parker’s mysterious past and Jessica Knight’s complex romance with Jimmy Palmer add depth that benefits from watching earlier episodes.
Interestingly, ‘NCIS’ itself traces its roots back to ‘JAG,’ where it debuted with a backdoor pilot. Some fans argue that starting with ‘JAG’ Season 8’s ‘Ice Queen’ and ‘Meltdown,’ which introduced key characters like Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Abby Sciuto, provides crucial backstory.
Ultimately, fans emphasize that ‘NCIS’ is more than just a procedural—it’s about character development over time. As Quora user Florence Lince puts it, ‘This isn’t a show you can drop into randomly. You need the full picture.’
With Season 22 of ‘NCIS’ set to premiere this fall, now’s the perfect time to dive into this enduring series during the leisurely summer months.”
