Despite still being one of the most-watched shows on network TV,Ā NCISĀ has been slipping in viewership ratings, starting when fellow CBS show,Ā Tracker, dethroned it as the number 1 show in primetime. Still, with a solid fan-base that has been watching the show since the 2000s, it’s safe to assume that the procedural will continue to be on the airwaves.
However, to make sure that the flagship and the rest of theĀ NCISĀ franchiseĀ can last for more years to come, it has to find ways to revitalize its storytelling. That starts with bringing back a forgotten storytelling gimmick in season 23.
NCIS Season 23 Has A Two-Part Premiere
During the opening salvo forĀ NCISĀ season 23, it’s confirmed that it will be a two-parter. “Prodigal Son Part 1” debuts the new year with the immediate fallout from Parker Sr.’s murder. The episode includes a series of flashbacks to Alden’s earlier and more rebellious years. As it turns out, he used to harbor a grudge against his father’s dedication to the Navy.
NCIS Hasn’t Had A Two-Part Premiere Since 2005’s “Kill Ari”
Two-part premieres aren’t rare in network TV. ABC’sĀ High PotentialĀ season 2 opened its year with a two-hour special that ended the Game Maker’s narrative. Meanwhile,Ā 9-1-1: Nashville’s premiereĀ is spread throughout three weeks worth of episodes. Intriguingly, however, while the rest of the industry make the super-sized premieres the norm,Ā NCISĀ has dropped it from its run until “The Prodigal Son Part 1” and “The Prodigal Son Part II.”
It has been over 20 years sinceĀ NCISĀ last had a two-part premiere, which was notably “Kill Ari (Part I)” and “Kill Ari (Part II).” The show has had other extended narratives, but they were saved for crossovers, backdoor pilots, and finales. What makes this parallel more interesting is thatĀ NCISĀ season 2 finale, “Twighlight”, also ended with theĀ brutal murder of Kate Todd.
