Director: Various
Screenplay: Gary Glasberg
Starring: Scott Bakula, Lucas Black, CCH Pounder
Country: USA
Running Time: 42 min
Year: 2014
BBFC Certificate: 15

Well then, before I start this review, I have a confession. This is the first time that I have seen any of the NCIS franchise. It was a wonderful chance for me to try something new when many people have told me to give it a go. As a fan of forensic crime dramas like CSI, Cold Justice and Bones, this was a programme that had great potential to be thought provoking as well as entertaining. And boy did it succeed.

So what is it all about? This series follows a team within the Naval Criminal Investigative Service as they deal with new cases in the big easy ranging from murders, outbreaks of the plague and arson. The leader of this crack team is Dwayne Pride as played by the legendary Scott Bakula (Enterprise, Quantum Leap) and his second in command Christopher LaSalle who is portrayed by Lucas Black (Legion, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift). Also we have their medical officer Loretta Wade who is brought to life by CCH Pounder (Warehouse 13, Sons of Anarchy, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones).

I found the character development throughout this program to be wonderfully impressive as it progresses through what is a rather well knitted story arch. the special effects in it are beyond reproach with some of the best makeup and designs I have seen since AMC’s Walking dead.

One of my favourite episodes was episode 2 Carrier in which the team must locate a group of sailors when a Navy Lieutenant on Liberty dies of the bubonic plague on Liberty. Then they must fight as hard as possible control a potential outbreak and determine the source of the highly infectious disease before it spreads beyond control. The story was deep and contained many points that had me on the edge of my seat due to the intense suspense that this  wonderful team of actors and writers manage to bring to the screen.

I really enjoyed this programme and look forward to season two with great anticipation. I would recommend it to most people as this seems to have something for everyone within it. The complete first series is available now on DVD so I hope that you will enjoy it.