The NCIS season 22 trailer debuts an updated version of the show’s theme. There are so many things to be excited about in the upcoming year of the CBS police procedural franchise. Aside from the launches of two new NCIS spinoffs that will bring back three of its best characters (Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Tony DiNozzo, and Ziva David), the flagship show also has some big storylines ahead. NCIS season 22 will feature storylines set up from the season 21 finale, as well as new unexpected ones.
Aside from revealing a peek of what lies ahead, the new NCIS season 22 trailer also debuted an updated theme for the series, as confirmed by co-composer, Gabriel Brown of Black Gryph0n on X.
In the post, which also includes the said NCIS season 22 trailer, Gabriel explained that he and his brother (and the other half of Black Gryph0n) wrote the song for the procedural. The updated theme starts with a slowed-down version of the iconic opening song and then transitions to a new track titled “Stand Up.”
What NCIS’ New Theme Song Means (It Features Easter Eggs)
David McCallum Gets A Nifty Reference.
In a separate article from TVLine, which Gabriel also references in his social media post, the new NCIS season 22 theme leaned heavily on the idea that Director Vance and Alden Parker’s team is “family in writing the lyrics.” The Brown brothers are both Navy veterans, which adds to the sentimentality of “Stand Up’s” lyrics. It also features an homage to Jessica Knight’s NCIS season 22 fate, as she takes on a new job as Chief REACT Training Officer at Camp Pendleton via the words “no time to react” and “the night’s returning.”
Interestingly, the slowed-down version of the original intro was used in NCIS season 21’s special Ducky send-off episode, where MCRT celebrates the life and legacy of the agency’s beloved ME-turned-historian.
Perhaps the deepest cut in the new NCIS theme song is its homage to Ducky Mallard actor, David McCallum. Just before its chorus, “Stand Up” references the late actor’s 1968 jazz song “The Edge.” Interestingly, the slowed-down version of the original intro was used in NCIS season 21’s special Ducky send-off episode, where MCRT celebrates the life and legacy of the agency’s beloved ME-turned-historian. The outing, called “The Stories We Leave Behind,” saw Jimmy Palmer and the rest solve his last case, which he wasn’t able to crack in time.
Our Take On NCIS Season 22’s Revamped Theme Song
NCIS’ More Intense New Song Can Be Used As Background Music To Certain Scenes
The revamped NCIS theme song is even better after learning about the special meaning behind the new alterations. Admittedly, I don’t think that CBS will use this new version as its official episode opener, but it’s great to know that this exists, in case a special outing needs to use a more upbeat and intense version of the show’s long-time track.
Perhaps they can use the part of the song that the Browns added as background music for some of the police procedural’s upcoming scenes. In any case, NCIS season 22 won’t have a shortage of that, considering what lies ahead for MCRT. As revealed in the trailer, the gang will once again deal with a mole scare in the agency.