Modern television has given audiences some popular crime series on various networks since the 1990s. “Law & Order,” “Criminal Minds,” and “CSI” all have incredibly large fan bases and an incredible record of accomplishment, just to name a few. Then there’s “NCIS.” With 19 seasons and counting, the CBS standard about the Naval Criminal Investigate Service is almost old enough to drink. It has spawned multiple spin-offs including “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “NCIS: New Orleans,” and “NCIS: Hawaii,” and boasts a veritable legion of adoring fans.
The fictional crime drama first aired in 2003, focusing on the titular investigative unit, and immediately attracted a large viewership with excellent acting, character chemistry, and twisty weekly cases to solve courtesy of the crack writing team. Great shows always have those qualities in common — it’s about the connection audiences make with characters, and “NCIS” has always had that in spades. But where does “NCIS” really rank among the greatest crime shows of all time?
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