The latest Power Rangers reboot, set to debut on Disney+, is making waves for its bold departure from decades-old traditions.
For the first time in its history, the show will not rely on footage from Toei’s Super Sentai series, the Japanese franchise that provided the suit battles, Zord sequences, and monster fights that defined Power Rangers since its inception in 1993.
This move frees the new series from the rigid “monster of the week” structure, allowing writers to craft a more serialized and cinematic story that targets an older demographic.
Without the constraints of imported footage, the reboot can abandon the expectation of a Megazord battle in every episode. Instead, the show is expected to focus on character development, world-building, and long-form storytelling, giving emotional arcs and relationships more room to breathe.
While fans may miss the weekly giant robot fights, the change opens up new possibilities for narrative depth and creative action sequences. Fewer Megazord scenes mean that when they do appear, they can be treated as major, earned moments rather than obligatory finales.
This shift also addresses a long-standing critique: the repetitive nature of the franchise’s format. The old structure often forced conflicts to reset every episode, limiting the potential for lasting consequences or character growth.
By moving away from this model, the new Power Rangers can explore more complex villains and allow the Rangers themselves to evolve. The result could be a show that feels more mature and deliberate, with action scenes that serve the story rather than simply checking off a box.
Representation Takes Center Stage
Power Rangers has always prided itself on diversity, but the new reboot is taking inclusivity to the next level. The most recent installment, Power Rangers Cosmic Fury, was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for its positive LGBTQ+ representation, particularly through the characters Izzy (Green Ranger) and Fern (Orange Ranger).
Izzy’s journey is portrayed with nuance, focusing on personal growth and self-discovery, while Fern’s character is depicted as a lesbian, adding another layer of authenticity and visibility to the series.
The inclusion of queer characters is not a token gesture; it is woven into the fabric of the show, with storylines that treat their identities as integral parts of who they are, rather than just plot points.
The dynamic between Izzy and Fern is handled with sensitivity, highlighting their strengths, struggles, and triumphs in a way that feels genuine and relatable. This approach sets a new standard for children’s programming, showing that everyone, regardless of background or identity, deserves to see themselves reflected on screen.
The franchise’s commitment to diversity extends beyond LGBTQ+ representation. Power Rangers has consistently cast actors from various ethnicities and backgrounds, sending a powerful message to young audiences about the strength found in unity and acceptance.
The new reboot builds on this legacy, aiming to foster a more inclusive narrative that resonates with a global audience.
What’s Next for Power Rangers
The changes coming to Power Rangers are not just about format and representation; they signal a broader evolution in how superhero stories are told for younger viewers.
Power Rangers (Credit: Disney+)
By moving away from the monster-of-the-week model and embracing serialized storytelling, the reboot has the potential to deliver a richer, more engaging experience that appeals to both longtime fans and new audiences.
The focus on character development and emotional depth could take the franchise to new heights, making it a standout in the crowded world of children’s television.
At the same time, the emphasis on diversity and inclusion reflects a growing demand for representation in media. The nomination of Power Rangers Cosmic Fury for a GLAAD Media Award is a testament to the franchise’s enduring dedication to promoting positive LGBTQ+ representation.
As the new reboot prepares to launch , it stands as a beacon of hope for a future where everyone, regardless of their background or identity, can see themselves reflected in the stories that shape our culture
The Power Rangers franchise has always been about teamwork, unity, and the power of diversity. With these bold changes, it is poised to continue that legacy in exciting and meaningful ways, setting a new standard for what superhero stories can achieve on screen.
When Cote de Pablo exited NCIS early in season 11, CBS faced a rare identity crisis for a long-running procedural that had already survived one shocking loss.
Ziva David had replaced Kate Todd after Sasha Alexander’s season 2 departure, and over several years, she grew into the show’s emotional anchor and one of television’s most recognizable agents. Her sudden 2013 exit pushed writers and executives to rethink how to keep the franchise feeling both familiar and new.
Their answer arrived in the form of Emily Wickersham’s Eleanor “Ellie” Bishop, an NSA analyst introduced in season 11 and promoted to a full-time agent shortly after.
Bishop stepped directly into Ziva’s old team slot, but with a distinctly different energy: analytical, slightly awkward, and morally idealistic instead of hardened by years of fieldwork.
Critics at the time noted that trying to follow a fan favorite looked risky, yet her eight-season tenure ultimately cemented Bishop as more than a stopgap.
Ziva’s story did not actually end with that airport goodbye. After years of off-screen explanations that she had died on a mission, season 16 revealed that Ziva had faked her death and was still alive, leading to Cote de Pablo’s multi-episode return in season 17.
Those episodes allowed Ziva to warn Gibbs of a looming threat, reconnect with the team, and pursue a reunion with Tony and their daughter, closing a major character arc that had hung over the series since 2013.
The irony is that while Ziva’s return answered long-standing fan demands, it also highlighted a new problem: Bishop’s own story suddenly felt unfinished.
In the season 18 finale “Rule 91,” Bishop torpedoes her reputation, resigns from NCIS, and disappears into a covert mission arranged by Odette Malone, the same contact who once guided Ziva.
That exit connected Bishop directly to Ziva’s clandestine world, yet the series then simply moved on, leaving viewers with a kiss shared between Bishop and Nick Torres and a pile of unresolved questions.
Profit Or Panic: Why A Bishop Return Calms Cancelation Talk
Behind the scenes, NCIS sits at a vulnerable but valuable point in its broadcast life. The flagship series has already secured a 22nd season on CBS, with season 21 averaging around 6.7 million live-same-day viewers and a 0.42 rating in the key 18–49 demographic.
Those numbers represent modest declines from season 20, yet they still place NCIS among the most-watched scripted network shows, particularly once delayed viewing and streaming on Paramount+ are factored in.
Industry ratings analysts describe the show as a “sturdy, stable performer” that remains a major cash generator for CBS, largely because the network owns the series and benefits from its syndication and streaming value.
At the same time, recent history shows that veteran dramas can be retired not only for ratings, but for cost savings and scheduling flexibility, which fuels ongoing chatter that NCIS could be quietly steered toward an end date once its current contracts run their course.
This is where the idea of Emily Wickersham’s return moves from nostalgic wish to strategic asset. In 2025, Wickersham publicly reunited with former NCIS producer David J. North, an encounter that sparked widespread speculation pieces about how easily Ellie Bishop could be written back into the narrative.
Entertainment coverage noted that Bishop’s last known operation involved Odette, tying her to Ziva’s covert network and providing writers with a clean hook to reintroduce her as either an undercover asset or a temporary consultant.
From a business perspective, bringing back Bishop restores continuity without needing to reinvent the ensemble with another untested character. Ziva herself was once a replacement, and Bishop followed the same pattern, which proves that NCIS can acclimate viewers to new faces over time.
NCIS (Credit: Amazon Prime Video)
Yet constant turnover in core cast members carries risk for a legacy procedural already fighting demographic erosion, and a familiar return allows CBS to sell fresh episodes while signaling stability to both advertisers and longtime fans.
External ratings trackers like TVSeriesFinale and The TV Ratings Guide consistently note that NCIS’s streaming presence on Paramount+ helps buffer the show from the abrupt cancellations that sometimes hit lower-rated newcomers.
Giving lapsed viewers a reason to tune back in with a marketed “Bishop is back” campaign could bolster those metrics, especially if linked to event-style episodes that also feature references to Ziva’s past missions.
Fan Emotions, Story Payoff, And What Comes Next For NCIS
For longtime fans, the parallel between Ziva and Bishop is not just a casting trivia note; it is a pattern that shapes how viewers emotionally invest in NCIS.
Ziva replaced Kate Todd and grew into a symbol of resilience and representation, particularly as a complex Israeli character whose storylines addressed identity, trauma, and loyalty.
When de Pablo left, many viewers felt the show had failed to honor that complexity, and only the careful design of her season 17 arc softened that frustration.
Bishop’s trajectory echoes that earlier tension. She entered as the smart outsider, eventually forged deeply loyal bonds with McGee and Torres, and then disappeared after one fateful undercover decision, with little clarity on how it affected her psyche or her relationships.
Social media discussion and fan forums since 2021 point repeatedly to unfinished business, particularly around the hinted romance between Bishop and Torres and the moral cost of her fabricated betrayal.
Recent think pieces on outlets like Screen Rant and CBR treat Ziva’s eventual return as proof that NCIS listens, albeit slowly, when fans keep a character’s name alive.
They also highlight how de Pablo’s willingness to rejoin the series depended on new storylines that respected the character’s earlier impact, including her desire to reunite with Tony and their daughter rather than simply resume business as usual.
That precedent suggests that a Bishop comeback would need more than a quick cameo; it would require a thoughtful arc that makes her sacrifice in “Rule 91” feel meaningful rather than like a convenient exit ramp.
Speculation pieces have already floated plausible narrative directions. One recurring idea is that Bishop’s clandestine mission has finally concluded, leaving her free to assist the team on a limited basis while still carrying the weight of what she did to protect national security.
Another popular pitch imagines Bishop returning with intel linked to Ziva’s old enemies, effectively becoming the new bridge between Gibbs’ era and the current squad, while also forcing Torres to confront his unresolved feelings.
This character-driven approach dovetails with CBS’s broader NCIS strategy. Alongside the main show, the network is nurturing spin-offs like NCIS: Origins, which focuses on a younger Leroy Jethro Gibbs and has generated concern from ratings columnists due to softer early numbers.
Analysts argue that the flagship remains the franchise’s primary ratings engine and streaming magnet, which makes reinforcing its creative spine far more urgent than forcing too many offshoots at once.
Against that backdrop, the chatter around Emily Wickersham’s possible return looks less like simple nostalgia and more like a quiet test of audience appetite for a renewed, interconnected NCIS era.
Her character occupies a rare space: she is Ziva’s original replacement, a fully formed lead who left on a cliffhanger, and a bridge between old and new storytelling priorities at CBS.
If the network chooses to bring Bishop back, even for a limited arc, it signals confidence rather than retreat, reassuring viewers that NCIS is not inching toward a quiet cancellation so much as adjusting its roster for another chapter.
For now, what exists is a mix of hard facts and enticing possibilities: a confirmed 22nd season, a still-strong ratings profile, unfinished character arcs, and an actor who has maintained public ties to the creative team that shaped her breakout role.
In a TV climate where long-running dramas often vanish without emotional closure, that combination alone makes fans hopeful that Ellie Bishop’s unresolved story might be exactly what keeps NCIS feeling necessary rather than merely nostalgic.
