This is one of the best and longest running made-for-TV crime/drama series. I have been its loyal viewer from the very beginning, and all I can say that I have not yet seen one disappointing episode! I too have seen some characters who were killed off or left the show for other unspecified reasons, e.g. Pauley Perrette who had issues with Mark Harmon on the sets. What I do feel disappointed about are the other spin offs, specifically NCIS Los Angeles with its two leading goofballs, and NCIS New Orleans that isn't quite up to par to the original series, no matter how hard they try.