Why It’s Time for NCIS to End After 22 Seasons
After 21 seasons — with a 22nd already confirmed — CBS's NCIS remains a strong show on network TV. But even successful shows need to take a break. What used to be a leader in crime shows now feels heavy with its own history. Fans, critics, and even casual viewers can tell: NCIS, as we know it, has come to an end.
"It's better to leave the party early than to be the guest everyone's waiting to leave.”
Let's discuss why it's time to give NCIS a good farewell — before it becomes a shadow of the show we once loved.
A Tired Formula in a Changing World
For over 20 years, NCIS has followed a familiar pattern:
Murder. Mystery. Military involvement. Repeat.
The show’s formula — a case linked to the Navy, some team jokes, and a surprise twist — used to feel fresh. It mixed action, emotion, and humor in a way that was enjoyable for viewers. But now, in 2025, that formula feels old.
There have been a few bold moments. For example, a Western-themed episode in Season 21 took creative risks that worked well. But these moments are rare. Attempts to modernize — like adding AI plots or digitally "resurrecting" characters — often feel clunky, outdated, or awkwardly executed.
Other procedurals have evolved with the times. NCIS feels stuck in the past, occasionally trying to catch up, but it doesn't always make us believe it knows what direction it is going in.
The Show Lost Its Soul with Gibbs’ Exit
We have to be honest: NCIS hasn't been the same since Mark Harmon left the show as Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
"Gibbs wasn't just the main character — he was the heart and soul of the show.”
Gary Cole’s Alden Parker has added a new personality to the team—mysterious and skilled. But he is not Gibbs, and he wasn't meant to be. That void remains glaring, and viewers can feel it.
The loss of original cast members like Pauley Perrette (Abby) and David McCallum (Ducky) makes this issue even clearer. NCIS is trying to keep going, but it's running on memories and loyalty from fans.
Spinoffs Keep Dying to Keep the Main Show Alive
Recently, CBS canceled NCIS: Hawai'i after only three seasons. Despite decent ratings and a strong fanbase, the network cited “limited space” on the schedule.
This feels unfair when NCIS—a show in its twenty-second season—keeps getting renewed. The message is clear: the network is focusing more on its past than on new ideas.
NCIS staying on the air shouldn't mean cannibalizing its own franchise. Spinoffs like Hawai'i and New Orleans gave the brand room to breathe and evolve. But with their cancellation, CBS seems intent on keeping the original on life support — even if it means suffocating fresh stories.
Better to End with Grace Than Fade Into Mediocrity
History teaches us some important lessons: the best shows leave us wanting more. The Mary Tyler Moore Show, MASH, and Friends all knew when to say goodbye. They left behind legacies that fans still love today.
NCIS deserves the same — not a slow decline into being ordinary.
Let it finish with Season 22. Let fans say goodbye with gratitude, not disappointment. The show has given us two decades of stories, memorable characters, and great moments.
Let that be its legacy — not a warning about a show that didn’t know when to stop.
NCIS has had an amazing run, lasting more than 20 years. But staying on air isn’t everything. Sometimes, the most powerful choice a show can make is knowing when to take its final bow.
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