Common Sense Media Review
By Sierra Filucci
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Upbeat but average crime show with blood, bodies.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
NCIS
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 35 parent reviews
Based on 106 kid reviews
Kids say this crime procedural series is engaging and features strong character dynamics, making it a favorite among teens and adults alike. However, many parents advise caution due to its occasional gore, sexual innuendos, and mild language, recommending it primarily for mature viewers aged 12 and up.
- engaging characters
- caution advised
- mature themes
- strong dynamics
- appropriate for teens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
NCIS is an offshoot of JAG, and, like its predecessor, it takes a military angle on the standard legal/crime procedural drama: The unit's purpose is to investigate crimes involving Navy and Marine Corps personnel. Mark Harmon plays Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the man in charge of on-the-ground operations. Gibbs is a serious guy whose impatience with bureaucracy makes you wonder why he chose a career in the military, but whose experience and intensity keep the rest of the team on track. His two main investigators, Anthony "Tony" DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), riff with each other constantly, including some sexual banter. Several other characters round out the show, most notably Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette), whose gothic style and relentlessly chipper attitude make her an unusual forensic expert. Her geeky personality and propensity for Big Gulp sodas add to her cult appeal.
Is It Any Good?
For many years, CBS was regarded casually as a network aimed at the elderly. With series such as Murder, She Wrote and the investigative journalism warhorse 60 Minutes, it's easy to understand the generalization. NCIS feels like a leftover from that era of programming; lead investigator Gibbs spends so much time glaring at his younger coworkers that you expect him to explode at any moment with a "Get off my lawn, you hippies!"
Like an engine ground down by years of overuse and poor repairs, NCIS represents the low ebb of the crime procedural drama. Attempts at humor and character development feel forced; the seams begin to show between scenes barely stitched together to propel a murder-of-the-week plot. Despite its flaws, the show maintains an enormous viewership and an upbeat tone that distinguishes it from some of its darker brethren.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about any stereotypes they witness while watching. Does the male and female characters' behavior on the show reinforce or combat stereotypes? What's the difference between male and female sexuality on the show?
How realistic are the characters and scenarios on this show? How does the show differ from other crime procedurals?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 23, 2003
- Cast : Mark Harmon , Michael Weatherly , Sasha Alexander
- Network : CBS
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : October 3, 2024
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