CBS’s NCIS Downgrade Just Got Exponentially Worse Despite Backlash

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I have to admit, as a long-time fan, I’m a little disappointed with the direction the NCIS franchise has taken. It’s been a favorite of mine since it first aired in 2003, created by Donald Bellisario and Don McGill, and I’ve enjoyed watching it evolve with all the spin-offs over the years. But the latest update, particularly with NCIS: Origins, feels off. This prequel, which is set to explore young Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ beginnings at NCIS in the 2025-2026 season, just doesn’t quite capture what I loved about the original. It’s frustrating to see a show with such a strong history potentially lose its way.

NCIS: Origins has been exploring the early days of Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ career at the Camp Pendleton office for the past two years, alongside his team led by Mike Franks. The show has delighted fans by bringing back characters from the original NCIS, as well as introducing new ones like Lala. Lala has become a key member of the team and a romantic interest for Gibbs, and their developing relationship has been a central focus of the series. The season 2 finale finally delivered on that storyline with a heartwarming kiss.

NCIS: Origins Season 3’s Shortened Run Is More Disappointing After Lala & Gibbs’ Romance

The excitement of learning more about the show’s backstory is tempered by the news that NCIS: Origins will have a shorter third season. CBS made decisions about the NCIS shows relatively early, giving the writers time to plan proper endings. However, the network recently announced further details, including cutting the episode count for NCIS: Origins from 18 to just 10.

The prequel series will be back for the fall 2026 season on CBS, but it’s expected to have a shorter run. It will initially air at 10 PM Eastern Time, an hour later than usual, before being replaced mid-season by NCIS: Sydney. Season 4 of the NCIS: Sydney spinoff will also be shortened, as it will now share the same timeslot as the prequel.

While streaming shows often have around 10 episodes, traditional network TV seasons typically have between 18 and 22. Because NCIS: Origins is only confirmed for three seasons, CBS has a limited time – until the 2026-2027 television season – to develop a full romance between Lala and Gibbs and reveal the reasons for their eventual split.

What NCIS: Origins Shortened Run Means For Gibbs’ Prequel Series’ Future

I was a little disappointed to hear that season four of NCIS: Origins will be shorter than previous seasons, but I understand it’s becoming more common on network television. It seems like networks are trying to fit more shows into the schedule by sharing time slots, which means we get more variety, but also shorter seasons. It’s a shame, because one of the things I always loved about network TV was getting a really long run of episodes – something streaming and cable don’t always offer. It feels like that advantage is shrinking a bit.

If NCIS: Origins gets a fourth season with 10 episodes, the show could have a longer run because fewer episodes allow for more detailed storytelling. Unlike other NCIS series, this prequel has a planned ending that’s already been set by the show’s official history. This allows CBS to explore the remaining years of Gibbs’ time at Camp Pendleton at a more relaxed pace, rather than rushing through them.

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2026-05-07 19:48