NCIS – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

NCIS

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2003

56%

WISE Score

7.8

IMDb

Long-running military crime procedural where every episode delivers a fresh corpse and a predictable investigation.

7.8/10

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NCIS

show

TV-14, 2003

56%

WISE Score

7.8

IMDb

Long-running military crime procedural where every episode delivers a fresh corpse and a predictable investigation.

7.8

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Screenwise Verdict

NCIS is the television equivalent of a reliable sedan—it gets you where you're going, but nobody's excited about the ride.

It's been on since 2003, which means it's older than today's high schoolers. The formula is so predictable you could set your watch by it: dead body, investigation montage, Gibbs gut instinct, case closed. Rinse, repeat, 400+ times.

The good news: it models teamwork, respects military service, and keeps language relatively clean. The bad news: your teen will see more crime scenes than a medical examiner, and the show's age really shows in pacing and production.

If your 14-year-old is curious about forensics or military life, this isn't the worst entry point. But if they're just looking for something to binge, there are sharper, more engaging options that won't feel like you're watching TV from the Bush administration.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media says 14+, and that tracks. The constant crime scene imagery and dead bodies make this too intense for younger kids, but high schoolers who can handle procedural violence will be fine. Adults still watch it, though honestly, there are better crime shows out there if you're not already invested.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The show models teamwork, loyalty, and justice-seeking through a tight-knit investigative team. Characters show respect for military service and each other. However, the procedural format means exposure to crime, death, and moral complexity in every episode. The tone is generally professional rather than gratuitously dark, but it's still built around murder investigations.

Imaginative

Standard procedural crime formula with minimal creative spark. Each episode follows a predictable pattern: crime happens, team investigates, case gets solved. There's some forensic science and investigative reasoning on display, but it's a paint-by-numbers format that's been running for 20+ years without much innovation. Not actively imagination-killing, just unremarkably formulaic.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it 14+ for good reason. Every episode features graphic crime scenes with blood, gunshot wounds, and dead bodies. IMDb parent guide notes moderate violence and frightening scenes. While the violence isn't gratuitous by adult standards, it's consistent and unavoidable—this is a murder investigation show. No surprise sexual content or excessive profanity, but the crime scene imagery is a steady diet of 'what horrible thing happened this week.'

Enriching

Offers some exposure to forensic science, military culture, and investigative procedures. Characters demonstrate problem-solving and teamwork. The show respects military service and explores ethical questions around justice. But it's entertainment first—the 'learning' is incidental. You're not walking away with deep insights, just a general sense of how crime investigations work (heavily dramatized) and some military jargon.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Shows teamwork, loyalty, and competent adults solving complex problems together
Introduces forensic science concepts and military culture without being preachy
Characters respect each other and model professional behavior under pressure
Massive episode library means endless content if your teen gets hooked
Cleaner language than many crime shows—network TV standards keep profanity mild

⚠

What to Watch For

Graphic crime scenes in literally every episode—blood, bodies, gunshot wounds are the baseline
Can desensitize to violence and death when it's just 'another case of the week'
The formula gets repetitive: crime happens, Gibbs stares intensely, Abby runs forensics, case solved
20+ years old at this point—production values and pacing feel dated compared to modern streaming shows

Conversation Starters

"How realistic do you think the forensic science is? What would actually take weeks instead of hours?"
"Would you want to work in law enforcement or the military after watching this?"
"Why do you think crime shows are so popular? What makes people want to watch murder investigations for entertainment?"
"How do the team members handle disagreements? What makes their teamwork effective?"

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