It is true the last 2 seasons are a slow death. Every episode is about Gibbs might leave, die, retire, go off into the sunset and be happy, etc. Very few humor anymore. The normal process should have been Gibbs retires, DiNizzo takes charge... because DiNozzo left it should have went to McGee: he's still there but not in charge. Ziva came and went then came back for repeated "someone is after me" episodes. Now new characters for... Cole as new team lead? Not even Director claiming it's over his head, must bring in someone from the outside, etc? The new female negotiator for... many hostage episodes to come?
Characters used to have purpose, chemistry, positions and earned audience attention. Now it's like rotating door to fill episodes, add new actors because some leave the show and no reason given (Parrette, Weatherly at least went off to do Bull, Wickersham just hangs her hat, Pablo just doesn't come back, Bello didn't really say why, and most other regulars simply died characters). What is actually going on behind the scenes? Hostile work environment? Abuse? Actors want more control or writers do? Directors who drive away actors? Seriously I went back to watch from episode one and season by season it used to develop but last 2 is simply dragging out "don't let Gibbs go" = time to either kill him, retire him, or force to another department. It's time to get back to working cases and yes I know Harmon is Executive Producer and all but the man Gibbs is too old to be an agent now.