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Usually, when former cast members come back to TV shows for multi-episode arcs, it can be a sign of trouble. It’s often a sign that the shows are finding ways to breathe old life back into their storylines, and I did have to question that when the news about both NCIS and NCIS: Origins came out.
At first, it was just NCIS: Origins, with Mark Harmon set to return as Gibbs throughout the third season. This is for a multi-season arc, so that there’s a storyline set across two timelines. This didn’t worry me too much, though, as Harmon narrates and we’ve seen him show up in the series before to tell the story.
Then NCIS shared that Michael Weatherly will appear in Season 24 for his own season-long arc. There’s no word on whether Cote de Pablo will also return, or whether this will be retconning Tony & Ziva or not, yet.
However, it’s when I started to question things. With LL Cool J constantly appearing in NCIS just for random camoes and getting his own spin-off, is it a sign that the franchise as a whole is struggling and turning to old favorites to help?
There’s Nothing Concerning About Gibbs Returning
I don’t think NCIS: Origins* getting Gibbs back is anything to worry about just yet. My gut said that it was just Harmon deciding that it was time to reprise his role a little longer than just one episode per season.
The prequel series is a fun show, and while the series is seeing a reduction of episodes, I still think it’s got a strong footing. The crossover with NCIS last season worked well, and it’s not like Harmon isn’t involved with this prequel. He literally narrates it.
It was only a matter of time, really, for him to show up properly. Plus, I’m hoping we get to see the stray dog he’s taken in again!
NCIS Has a Chance to Right a Wrong
As for Weatherly appearing in NCIS, that one does have me concerned. It comes six months after NCIS: Tony & Ziva* was canceled, and the networks messed up with that show.
Really, it should have been on CBS and not Paramount+. The whole reason I didn’t watch it was that I wasn’t going to get yet another streaming platform — now I happen to have it, but that was because more and more intriguing shows were added. I didn’t get it for just the NCIS* spinoff. If it was on CBS, though, I would have watched it!
I don’t think the flagship show is struggling. It’s still one of the top performers on CBS each week, especially with its move back to Tuesdays. So, I do think that it’s the show’s attempts to right a wrong.
The question now is whether the 10-episode spinoff will be retconned, and I think that’s where we’ll get ideas as to whether it’s going to be a sign of trouble or not.
Retconning is going to piss off a lot of people, even those who didn’t watch it and may end up watching it because Weatherly is coming back. Not retconning means explaining a few things for those who didn’t watch, which is relatively easy considering McGee and others likely have no idea what happened to Tony and Ziva.
The NCISverse Is Struggling a Little Though
All that being said, there are concerns about the universe as a whole. NCIS: Sydney hasn’t been the big hit that Paramount+ and CBS have likely wanted. There was an attempt to get more viewers by pushing it to the fall for NCIS night, but now it’s moving back to the midseason with a shorter season order.
NCIS: Hawaii was unfairly canceled, and there are still plenty in the fanbase so angry that they refuse to watch anything else. NCIS: Los Angeles got a somewhat rushed ending when it came to wrapping up Hetty’s storyline — that had to be pushed into NCIS Season 22!
It’s clear that the universe isn’t as strong as it once was when we have Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans controlling the airwaves. Giving LL Cool J his own show with NCIS: New York makes it clear that CBS is looking at veterans from the franchise to keep the universe growing, but maybe it’s time to listen to what the fans are saying, or they’re going to keep walking.
NCIS* and NCIS: Origins* will return in fall 2026 on CBS.
