NCIS fans have taken to social media to discuss the show’s habit of ‘recycling’ certain plots, with some claiming they’ve ‘worked out’ this is the case for a heartbreaking Gibbs storyline.
The 22nd season of NCIS premiered on CBS yesterday, leaving fans anxious about the future of Special Agent Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) and Dr Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) after a job offer disrupted their relationship.
The NCIS franchise recently celebrated its 1000th episode with the finale of season 21, and it seems to be gaining more traction, as the new spin-off, NCIS: Origins, also premiered on Monday.
Returning cast members include Gary Cole as Alden Parker, Sean Murray as Timothy McGee, Wilmer Valderrama as Nick Torres, Brian Dietzen as Dr Jimmy Palmer, Diona Reasonover as Kasie Hines, and Rocky Carroll as Leon Vance.
Before the new season, some fans took to social media to discuss the show’s tendency to “recycle” certain storylines.
On Reddit, user @Any_Coyote6662 noted they had noticed similarities in some heart-wrenching plotlines involving fan-favorite Leroy Gibbs (Mark Harmon), reports the Express.
They posted: “I’m re-watching NCIS. And I’m noticing recycled stories. For example, old guy with flashbacks from war somehow gets Gibbs’ attention and then they use old footage from the war to help the guy recall the details of the big battle.
“And it all goes down in the interrogation room. And both guys have some dementia too. And both end up resolving a personal mystery or issue from their military service,” they added.
“The execution of Kate is retold when Diane was shot by a sniper by a different terrorist, while on a different roof and died in Gibbs’ arms. And both are shot to make Gibbs suffer. And both times, being on the roof was a set-up.
“There are others. And, as with when Diane was shot, the entire storyline was of repeating old cases. However, there are numerous examples of stories that are repe ated without using repetition as the plot/motive.
“Can anyone else think of any? I’m sure I haven’t noticed tons of repeated storylines and plot points. It’s fun to point them out.”
They added: “Disclaimer: it doesn’t bother me at all. I just like to notice things about the series.” (sic)
Taking to the comments, other fans shared their thoughts, with one writing: “Well the Diane thing, the guy who shot her purposely shot her with a sniper long range to remind him of Kate.
“He even killed someone in he beginning of the episode just how Mike Franks died so. Also, like how Jenny shepherd died so that was supposed to reflect the other storyline. But yeah, they have a lot of the same storylines. Soldier selling info, their friend finds our so they kill them. The basic storyline.” (sic)
Another chimed in: “As the old saying goes, as much as you try to dress it up, there are only three reasons for murder, money, vengeance, or jealousy. So, it is not all that difficult to find comparisons if you look for them.
“That being said there were some clearly rehashed storylines and/or crimes in NCIS:New Orleans that were “borrowed” from the original. Most notably (off the top of my head) both having the story of a sailor coming in and wanting their murder solved before they die because they were poisoned with radiation.” (sic)
A third viewer agreed, stating: “I can’t remember exactly now, but there were a couple that were recycled from Kate to Ziva.
“And there were the two episodes where they (the writers, not the team) use the tape loop a la Speed – once to fool the bad guys in the school and once they’re fooled by the bad guys while they are watching a storage unit. 3.18 Bait. 5.12 Stakeout.” (sic)
A fourth viewer chimed in: “I’ve seen several ‘recycled’ storylines re-told with a slight twist and extolled as ‘never seen before’. But, swap a character and location, and it’s a storyline from seasons 1-11.” (sic)
NCIS season 22 premiered on Monday, 14 October on CBS and will continue to air on Monday nights at 8pm. You can also catch up with NCIS on Paramount+.