A guy in my office purchased a box set of NCIS episodes and we have all been watching them. Despite having seen most of the episodes I have found myself really enjoying re-watching them.
Initially I didn't like NCIS. Mostly because the backdoor pilot aired on JAG and the NCIS team was accusing my beloved Harmon Rabb of murder. If they couldn't understand the awesomeness of Rabb well obviously these were not characters I could get behind! I have long changed that initial opinion and I am happy that NCIS has become the highest rated scripted television show in America. Indulge me while I explain how NCIS has won me over.
Excellent storylines
NCIS has consistently strong stories. One would think that a show based on only Navy/Marine related crimes would run out of stories. Yet NCIS manages to make this an asset. Not only do they have the traditional murder procedural episodes but they also have terrorist plots, kidnappings, arms dealers, obsessed serial killers and international intrigue. They also don't forget the past and their stories consistently intertwine and lead into each other.
Characters
There are shows that are all about the personal dramas of the characters. Sometimes it feels like the cases are mere subplot to the larger "will they, won't they" story arcs. But NCIS has managed to keep the show character driven without forgetting about the cases. The characters in NCIS feel real; people I could work with or be friends with. All of them have stories and lives beyond what we are shown in each episode. They have loveable quirks. Abby is a wonderful, brilliant contradiction. Ducky is a fountain of knowledge and random facts. Tony is a hero hiding in a class clown outfit. Gibbs is a high functioning mute. But they are so well acted and written that these never feel superficial. They are whole people that are allowed to grow and change.
Fun
Watching NCIS is just fun. It combines high drama that is suspenseful, sad and poignant but it also takes the time to be a little goofy. From Ziva's syntax mistakes and random Ducky ramblings, to Abby who makes the forensics exciting, or even the understated Gibbs with his head slapping no-nonsense attitude there is rarely an episode without an opportunity to giggle.
Military
I am biased. I can't help it. I enjoy that NCIS highlights the men and women of our country that serve in the armed forces. I appreciate that they are also multi-dimensional. Sometimes the Navy Petty Officer is the hero and sometimes the villain. Either way it can be a realistic glimpse into military culture and its members.
In nutshell that is why I like NCIS. If you haven't seen it then you really should.
