I Watched All Four NCIS Shows Of 2025, And I Have A Clear Favorite

by

I first started watching NCIS back in 2008 when it was on USA Network, though it had actually started five years earlier as a spin-off of JAG on CBS. For a long time, though, I wouldn’t have called myself a true fan of the whole NCIS universe. I tried NCIS: Los Angeles for a while, but stopped watching, and I never got into NCIS: New Orleans or NCIS: Hawai’i. However, by 2025, I was definitely a fan, because I watched all four NCIS shows that were on last year.

Just to recap, there are four shows in the NCIS franchise: NCIS, NCIS: Origins, NCIS: Sydney, and NCIS: Tony & Ziva (which unfortunately ended recently). The original three shows aired on CBS, while Tony & Ziva was a streaming exclusive on Paramount+. I watched all four throughout 2025, and by the end of the year, and looking ahead to the 2026 TV season, one really stood out. Let’s dive into why Origins is now my favorite of all the NCIS series.

The New Characters Are Just As Compelling As The Established Ones

Like many viewers of NCIS: Origins, I was initially most excited to see young versions of Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Mike Franks. Austin Stowell and Kyle Schmid do a great job in those roles, but I’ve also really enjoyed getting to know the other main characters – Lala (Mariel Molino), Randy (Caleb Foote), Mary Jo (Tyla Abercrumbie), and Vera (Diany Rodriguez). From Lala recovering from her car accident to learning about the difficult past of Mary Jo, I’m just as invested in their stories as I am in Gibbs and Franks, and I look forward to seeing what happens with them each week.

The show Origins takes the time to develop its supporting characters, both through major reveals – like Cliff Wheeler’s hidden sexuality – and smaller details, such as Gail’s quirky way of organizing things. This makes the Pendleton NIS office feel like a believable workplace with distinct individuals, rather than just a backdrop for the main plot. As a result, I find myself more concerned about what happens to these characters and genuinely invested in their stories.

The Show Delves Into Pretty Dark Corners For Network TV

Network television has rules about what it can show, so violence and gore are usually less graphic than on cable or streaming services. However, NCIS: Origins does a good job of creating suspense and drama even with these limitations. Like other NCIS shows, it features murders each week, and some of them are quite disturbing, occasionally stretching the limits of what’s acceptable for a TV-14 rating.

Beyond its striking visuals, Origins truly shines in its exploration of the minds of its criminals. Whether it’s the Sandman killer featured throughout Season 1—both the imposter and the actual perpetrator—or the villains in standalone episodes, like the man exposed as Tish’s attacker in “From the Ashes,” the show consistently delivers compelling and dark narratives, even within the boundaries of its TV rating.

I Appreciate The ’90s Nostalgia, But Am Also Reminded Of How Far We’ve Come

I was born in 1991, which is when the show NCIS: Origins starts. Although I don’t personally remember the early ‘90s, I definitely recognize the nostalgic feel the series creates. Things like pay phones, older cars, and the music of the time – remember when Randy played Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch? – plus references to movies that were popular then, are all really fun to see. That’s why I hope the show lasts a long time – I’d love to see how these characters respond to even more ‘90s pop culture as the series goes on.

Throughout the series, Origins also highlights how much progress has been made over the past thirty years. Although sexism still exists in the workplace, it’s less blatant than what characters like Lala, Vera, and Mary Jo experience. For instance, Cliff Wheeler now leads NIS, even though openly acknowledging his sexuality could have cost him his job in the past. The ‘90s had their good points, but certain aspects of that era are definitely a thing of the past.

It’s Novel Watching Crimes Being Solved Before The Digital Era

The show NCIS: Origins is set in a time when technology was very different. The Pendleton NIS office only had one computer, which was mostly used to convert paper files to digital format. It was an outdated machine – if it got too hot, it could take 8 to 12 minutes to cool down! Today, computers and smartphones are essential, and this advanced technology helps solve crimes, as we see in the current NCIS series.

It’s refreshing to watch crimes being investigated in a time before the internet and digital technology were common. Detectives have to rely on traditional methods – making more phone calls and physically searching through files – which makes this show unique within the franchise. This focus on old-school tactics also adds to the appeal of the show’s historical setting.

I’m really enjoying NCIS: Origins and hope it continues to be a great show for a third season. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until February 24th for new episodes of NCIS: Origins, NCIS, and NCIS: Sydney due to the Olympics. When the show returns, I’m hoping we’ll quickly get news about Season 3. I’d love to be revisiting this show again next year and still consider it one of my top three favorites.

Read More

2026-01-01 17:09