CBS may have likely causedNCISseason 22 posting the show’s lowest-rated episode ever. In the ever-changing way that people consume their entertainment, long-running shows likeNCIScontinuously raking in millions of viewers is very impressive. Granted that the numbers aren’t exactly as massive as before, but the show has consistently been a top-rated performer for the network. Aside from building a massive following,NCIShas also established a shared universewith several spinoffs. That said, while it doesn’t seem like the franchise is slowing down anytime soon, its recent numbers may be a cause for concern.
Currently,NCISseason 22 is the third longest-running scripted American series, only behindLaw & Order: SVUseason 26 andLaw & Orderseason 24. It’s an institution for CBS, and frankly, it’s difficult to imagine what its programming would be like without the flagship. This is even after MCRT has seen a series of casting changes in the last few years, includingMark Harmon’s retirement of Leroy Jethro Gibbsand David McCallum’s death, which was mirrored in Ducky Mallard’s fate. Currently,NCISseason 22 is shaping up to be a solid year, but that isn’t reflected in the numbers.
NCIS Season 22, Episode 4, “Stick & Stones” Is Its Lowest-Rated Episode Ever
The Procedural Sees An All-Time Low
After thecliffhanger finale ofNCISseason 21, the first few episodes of the current year have been focused on re-establishing the dynamic in the Navy Yard bullpen. Jessica Knight officially returned from her 6-month stint in Camp Pendleton, while Timothy McGee continues to cope with the disappointment over being passed on for the Deputy Director promotion. These stories and other overarching storylines are incorporated with weekly cases. That said, what’s lost in the shuffle is thatNCISseason 22, episode 4, “Sticks & Stones” is the lowest-rated episode of the show ever, only posting 4.76 million viewers (viaProgramming Insider).
1
6.42
2
5.37
3
“The Trouble with Hal”
4.92
4
4.76
5
“In from the Cold”
5.26
6
“Knight and Day”
Prior to the outing,NCIS' lowest-rated episode was the season 20 premiere, “Family Matters,” which posted 5.82 million viewers (viaShowbuzz Daily). It aired on July 25, 2025, and kicked off a crossover event that concludes onNCIS: Hawaiʻiseason 2 episode 1, “Prisoners' Dilemma,” which had around the same ratings at 5.31 million viewers. BeforeNCISseason 22, episode 4, “Sticks & Stones,“NCISseason 22, episode 3,“The Trouble with Hal” was the show’s lowest-rated outing with just 4.92 million viewers — the same numbers thatNCISseason 22, episode 6, “Knight and Day” had.
NCIS Season 22, Episode 4 Being Its Lowest-Rated Episode Ever May Be Due To The Elections
CBS Could Have Just Given NCIS A Break
That being said,NCISseason 22, episode 4, “Stick & Stones” having the show’s lowest viewership may not be entirely its fault. As previously mentioned, much has changed in terms of the entertainment landscape. Aside from network TV, people have turned to the binge-watch model, which was perpetuated by the influx of streaming services. Aside from being able to revisit so many old shows through various platforms, Netflix, Paramount+, Peacock, and others like them also regularly release original shows. Because of this, some users have, or at least have considered, abandoning traditional broadcasters.
“Stick & Stones” was released on Monday, July 26, 2025 — a day before the latest American election, with the presidency between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
In this particular scenario, however, the reason may not be rooted in anything thatNCISdid or the rise of streaming services. Instead,NCISseason 22, episode 4’s low rating could be chalked up to CBS' poor scheduling choices. “Stick & Stones” was released on Monday, June 11, 2025 — a day before the latest American election, with the presidency between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. It would be an understatement to say that it was a tense time for the country, and while escapist entertainment may work for some, the majority of the U.S. was tuned in for news reports.
NCIS Begins Solving Its Oldest Plot Hole By Secretly Introducing A Fan-Favorite Character In Origins
NCIS: Origins tackles Leroy Jethro Gibbs' early years in the agency, but it also has a chance to fix some plot holes, including its oldest one.
Because of this,it may have been wiser for CBS to giveNCISthe week off at this point. It could have easily filled its slot with a special broadcast about the election or just used the slot for a re-run of a previous episode that it wanted to highlight. This way,NCISseason 22, episode 4 wouldn’t have had to have such bad numbers, which, for the kind of story it had, didn’t really deserve.
Why NCIS Season 22, Episode 4 Deserves A Rewatch
“Sticks & Stones” Is NCIS Season 22’s Strongest Episode
After a shortened 2023-2024 TV season, which was packed with so many integral narratives, including the surprise return ofMichael Weatherly’s Tony DiNozzo Jr. for Ducky’s funeral. This understandably prompts NCIS a return to its usual storytelling approach in season 22. Instead of a succession of big plots, these are more scattered throughout the year, since it has significantly more episodes to play with. Because of this,NCISseason 22 is more of a true procedural in terms of format. Admittedly, this may be frustrating to some who are looking for developments on some integral arcs.
NCIS season 22, episode 4 is one of, if not its strongest installment this year, which makes its low rating so much more disappointing.
While the year has some rather skippable outings, because they don’t have any impact on the larger themes at play, interestingly, “Sticks & Stones” doesn’t fall in that category.NCISseason 22, episode 4 is one of, if not its strongest installment this year, which makes its low rating so much more disappointing. In the episode, Parker and the team scramble to stop a burgeoning World War III. The majority of the episode’s scenes take place in the Navy Yard office, and aside from the international turmoil, the team also has to deal with the hostile FBI.
NCIS Season 22 Establishes Timothy McGee’s Best MCRT Replacement
While Alden Parker and the rest of the MCRT trying to stop World War III, NCIS season 22 also establishes the best replacement for Timothy McGee.
Elsewhere,NCISseason 22, episode 4 also delivers on the long-awaited post-break-up talk between Jessica Knight and Jimmy Palmer. The pair is separated from the rest of the commotion back in Navy Yard, and while Parker and McGee defy orders from their superiors, they sit on a camper and talk about the status of their relationship. It’s an effective juxtaposition that answers some of the most pressing matters inNCISseason 22.
NCIS Season 22 Still Has Work To Do To Improve Its Ratings
The Year’s Overall Numbers Are Down
While CBS' scheduling forNCISseason 22, episode 4 is to blame for its low ratings, the show’s overall numbers for the year should be something that the network should look into. Perhaps the procedural needs to do something about its season-long arc, which introducedGabriel LaRoche as the newNCISvillainto lure people back. Otherwise, it could also bring back some familiar faces from the show’s past so the project can rely on nostalgia to revive viewers' excitement about it. DiNozzo did appear last season, perhaps Ziva David or Ellie Bishop can resurface.
NCIS
Cast
NCIS is a television series that follows a team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Premiering in 2003, the show explores various cases involving Navy and Marine Corps personnel, ranging from murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines.
