The Covid era of the NCIS franchise What Could Have Been

So, 14 March 2025 marks five years since filming on the three NCIS shows was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic; forcing them to end season 17 of NCIS , NCIS LA season 11 and NCIS NOLA season 6 early. Thankfully, filming for the next seasons started in September with safety restrictions.

But sadly, these seasons were shortened from the usual length; presumably, a lot of episode ideas the writers had had to be scrapped? But on the bright side, we did get rewritten versions of the episodes planned for the previous seasons: This is my guess, but I think the first four episodes of Season 18 are the ones meant for Season 17, episode 2 and 8 of LA season 12 were the intended final two episodes for season 11 and the parts of the last few episodes and the subplot in episode 3 of NOLA season 7 were the intended plans for NOLA season 6.

Also, covid was brought in. I know people say Jack was meant to leave at the end of season 17, but I'm not convinced.

And of course the subsequent writer's strike didn't help.

But what did you guys all think of the episodes during the Covid era? Do you feel the safety restrictions hindered the franchise and any episodes we did get And do you feel the pandemic and the strikes have negatively effected the franchise and its budget? what did you think of the way each show handled the pandemic? And are there any other known plans that were scrapped?