NCIS Needs to End – Here’s Why the Long-Running Show Should Bow Out Gracefully

For over two decades, NCIS has been a staple of American television. With 21 seasons under its belt and a 22nd on the way, the procedural drama has outlasted most of its peers. But like all long-running shows, it’s starting to show its age. Between tired storytelling, major cast departures, and newer spin-offs getting axed to keep the original alive, it might be time for NCIS to retire while fans still remember it fondly.

The Show’s Formula Has Grown Stale

Since its 2003 debut, NCIS has followed a predictable yet effective formula:

• A military-related crime kicks off the episode.
• The team investigates, uncovering personal connections or dark secrets.
• By the hour’s end, justice is served.

For years, this structure worked—but now, it feels outdated. Attempts to modernize the show, like AI-driven storylines, have fallen flat, coming across as clumsy and behind the times. Even when the series takes creative risks (like Season 21’s Western-themed episode), the misses are more noticeable than the hits.

"Procedurals thrive on familiarity, but after 21 seasons, NCIS feels less like comfort food and more like leftovers."

Losing Gibbs Was the Final Blow

No show survives two decades without cast changes, and NCIS has weathered plenty:

• Mark Harmon (Gibbs) left in Season 19 after leading the show for 18 years.
• Pauley Perrette (Abby) exited amid behind-the-scenes tensions.
• David McCallum (Ducky) passed away in 2023, marking the end of an era.

While Gary Cole’s Alden Parker has brought fresh energy, the absence of Gibbs—the show’s emotional core—is undeniable. NCIS was built around his gruff charisma, and without him, it feels like a different (and lesser) show.

Newer Spin-Offs Are Dying to Keep the Original Alive

CBS’s handling of the NCIS franchise has been questionable at best. While the mothership chugs along, newer entries like NCIS: Hawai’i—which offered a diverse cast and fresh storytelling—were abruptly canceled. Network execs blamed scheduling conflicts and Paramount+’s crowded lineup, but fans saw the truth: CBS is prioritizing the aging original over potential successors.

"Why cancel a promising spin-off just to keep a 21-year-old show on life support?"

Great Shows Know When to Quit

History has shown that the best series exit on their own terms:

• MASH* bowed out with a record-breaking finale.
• Breaking Bad ended before overstaying its welcome.
• The Good Place wrapped up in four tight, brilliant seasons.

NCIS has already beaten the odds, outlasting most dramas in TV history. But if it continues, it risks becoming a shadow of its former self—something no fan wants.

The Verdict: End It Before It’s Too Late

There’s no shame in letting go. NCIS has had an incredible run, but all good things must end. Rather than limping toward cancellation, the show deserves a proper, satisfying conclusion—one that honors its legacy before fatigue sets in.

The clock is ticking, CBS. It’s time to say goodbye.