Still The One

I'm writing this column one week after NCIS , broadcast TV's highest-rated scripted show, in the middle of its eighth season, aired its highest-rated episode yet. In the same eight seasons, other shows have peaked and declined. What are NCIS's secrets?

The concept for NCIS was introduced with a two-part episode of JAG , in which JAG hero Harmon Rabb Jr. (David James Elliott) stood accused of murdering a universally disliked colleague. By this time, creator Donald P. Bellisario had worked on eight seasons of JAG and firmly established it as a military legal drama. Though NCIS was technically a spinoff of JAG, in reality, the two agencies are quite distinct. Bellisario knew this, and knew a drama about NCIS might appeal to more viewers.

To begin, though NCIS investigates crimes committed by or against military personnel, about half its employees are civilians, not beholden to military courtesy. NCIS embraces the opportunity for casual office banter and a more creative style of camera work than seen on the stately JAG.

From the beginning, NCIS has featured a good mix of male and female, younger and older actors, each playing a character with a vital role in each investigation. Mark Harmon plays ex-Marine and instinctual investigator Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Michael Weatherly plays the younger, more flippant ex-cop Tony DiNozzo. Pauley Perrette, who actually studied forensics in college, plays forensic scientist Abby Sciuto and computer enthusiast Sean Murray plays computer expert Tim McGee, the latter two representing more modern crime-solving techniques. David McCallum rounds out the cast as Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard, given a garrulous, grandfatherly disposition to make exposition anything but dry.

In eight seasons, NCIS has had its share of cast changes, but has survived and grown from them because the writers have taken the time to make each departure significant to the series' history. The first regular to depart was Sasha Alexander, who played ex-Secret Service agent Caitlin Todd for Seasons 1 and 2. Kate was a straitlaced Catholic who rarely let her guard down and bristled at DiNozzo's constant teasing. When Alexander asked out of her contract, citing the physical demands of her role, Bellisario consented and wrote Kate's death into the script--a shocking death at the hands of seductive terrorist. Since Kate's death, other regulars and recurring characters have died and received the same respect.

Bellisario took Alexander's departure as an opportunity to create Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), initially a Mossad liaison officer who, unlike Kate, was very forward and intimidated DiNozzo. Ziva was initially disliked by the other characters, mirroring the reaction of fans who had warmed to Kate Todd, but her present chemistry with Tony is arguably more potent than anything he and Kate could have had.

Along with Ziva, Bellisario created Jenny Shepard (Lauren Holly), NCIS's first female director and former protege/lover of Agent Gibbs. Jenny's presence was the first step in gradually humanizing the hard-charging, ultra-competent Gibbs. His past included three ex-wives, but how would he react the reappearance of a former lover? Gibbs was further humanized at the end of Season 3, when the trauma from a bomb blast brought up repressed memories of his first wife and daughter, both killed by drug dealer while Gibbs was serving in the first Gulf war. Until then, Gibbs had been a character who would never have opened up about his family, so Bellisario used the bomb blast to force the issue.

During the fourth season, offscreen tensions grew between Bellisario and Harmon, reportedly over late script changes. This could very well have derailed the show, but Harmon had the support of his co-stars and crew, and Bellisario wisely ceded everyday showrunning duties to writer Shane Brennan and producer Chas. Floyd Johnson instead of brusquely forcing Harmon to leave.

Brennan's purely creative decision to kill off Jenny Shepard in the writers strike-shortened Season 5 gave viewers more than enough reason to come back. Harmon's rapport with Carroll from the medical drama Chicago Hope no doubt helped fans welcome him as they had fellow Chicago Hope alum Lauren Holly. With the exception of Sasha Alexander, the actors and guest actors' contentment playing roles year in and year out avoids the more sudden and substantial cast changes that have killed many shows.

Viewers are clearly pleased with Bellisario's and Brennan's willingness to let the characters' portrayals change from season to season. As Gibbs has shown more vulnerability, DiNozzo has shown competence behind his comedy. McGee has matured. Ziva has gone from distrusted outsider to full-fledged American citizen and NCIS agent. At the same time, NCIS has always embraced its history, which satisfies longtime fans and invites new ones. Meanwhile, the ratings for shows with less distinct characters and less continuity ( CSI , Law & Order ) have markedly declined.

I will still champion the underdogs, but this may be the only time a top-rated show is also my favorite.