Why NCIS Should Bow Out Gracefully After 22 Seasons
Every good show has its time, and after a monumental 21 seasons on the air—with a 22nd on the way—it’s becoming increasingly clear that NCIS might need to take its final bow. This long-running action-drama has been a fixture of the television landscape for over two decades, weathering countless cast changes and evolving through different eras. However, even the most resilient shows eventually face the reality that their best days might be behind them.
As NCIS prepares to enter its 22nd season, the cracks in its once-solid foundation are becoming harder to ignore. While the series has done a commendable job of reinventing itself over the years—introducing new characters, tackling current issues, and even venturing into spin-offs—there’s no denying that today’s NCIS is a far cry from the show that captivated audiences in its early years.
The Formula Is Showing Its Age
Since its debut on CBS, NCIS has followed a tried-and-true formula: the team, connected to the Navy or another branch of the military, is presented with a brutal, bloody case. Each episode is enhanced with a fresh twist, sometimes involving a personal connection to one of the team members, or revealing a piece of their backstory. It’s a formula that has served the show well, keeping it engaging and fresh—at least for a while.
But after two decades, even the most successful formulas can start to feel stale. NCIS has struggled to stay relevant in an era where technological advancements like artificial intelligence are reshaping the world. The show’s attempts to address these contemporary issues have often felt awkward and out of touch, highlighting just how far behind the times it has fallen. For instance, its handling of AI-related storylines—such as using the technology to “resurrect” the dead—has been criticized as weak and poorly executed.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. There have been moments when NCIS has managed to break out of its box, delivering episodes that are genuinely innovative and engaging—like the Western-themed adventure in Season 21. But for every successful swing, there have been twice as many misses, making it increasingly clear that the show is running out of steam.
The Loss of Gibbs Was a Turning Point
Every long-running TV drama eventually faces cast turnover, and NCIS is no exception. Over the years, the show has lost major cast members due to a variety of reasons—Mark Harmon (Gibbs) left of his own accord, Pauley Perrette (Abby Sciuto) departed after a backstage conflict with Harmon, and David McCallum (Ducky) passed away. Despite these losses, NCIS has managed to soldier on, strategically hiring new actors and integrating them into the story.
However, the absence of Gibbs—who served as the show’s moral compass and emotional anchor—has left a noticeable void. His gravitas, backstory, and relationships with the rest of the team were central to the show’s appeal. Without him, NCIS just doesn’t feel the same. While Gary Cole’s Alden Parker has brought new life and mystery to the series, he can’t fully replace the irreplaceable Gibbs. This loss is a big signal that it might be wise for NCIS to end now, before Parker’s eventual departure leads to yet another major character turnover.
The Mothership Is Outlasting Its Spinoffs
The NCIS franchise has been incredibly successful, spawning multiple spinoffs over the years. But as the original series continues to chug along, these newer shows have struggled to find their footing. NCIS: Hawai’i, for example, took the franchise’s typical formula and added a fresh spin, focusing on characters who weren’t clones of Gibbs and storylines that diverged from the usual NCIS fare. However, despite these efforts, the show was ultimately canceled.
Fans were understandably upset, especially when CBS claimed that it had tried to save the series but was hampered by limited timeslots and a crowded streaming platform. Meanwhile, NCIS was greenlit for yet another season, despite showing signs of age. There’s a growing sense that the original show is overstaying its welcome, potentially to the detriment of other programs that could have similarly long and fruitful runs.
It’s Better to Go Out on Top
Television history is full of examples of shows that stayed on the air for too long, ultimately tarnishing their legacies. Series like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, MASH*, and Friends all knew when to call it quits, leaving fans with fond memories rather than overstaying their welcome. NCIS would do well to follow in their footsteps.
Ending NCIS after Season 22 would allow the show to bow out gracefully, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most successful dramas in television history. After all, not many shows get to entertain audiences worldwide for more than two decades. By ending now, NCIS can avoid the fate of so many long-running series that stretched their premises too thin and ended up losing their audience’s interest.
In the end, it’s better to be the guest who leaves the party early, rather than the one who overstays their welcome and becomes a nuisance. NCIS has had an incredible run, but it’s time for the show to take its final bow and let fans remember it for the great entertainment it provided, rather than watching it struggle to stay relevant in real-time.
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