NCIS: New Orleans

I want to like this show. I've been a Scott Bakula fan since his "Quantum Leap" days. I like love both the original NCIS and NCIS:Los Angeles. Both have excellent casts and storylines. NCIS: New Orleans may develop into a show worthy of the NCIS brand. Or it turn out that third time is not the charm. Some of the basic character types from the first two are present: a strong "parent" figure who leads the team, a dignified yet slightly eccentric pathologist, the "kid" from out of town, the nerd, the town in which the show is set. The writing, at least for the first episode, could be stronger. It was a bit cliche' for my taste. I often knew what was going to be said or how a plot thread would be resolved ahead of time. So far, sadly, my verdict is "meh." I will watch next week and hope for some improvement in the writing and some jelling of the characters and their relationships. That team motif is crucial for an NCIS show. Next week's episode draws in the whole original NCIS team to help the New Orleans bunch battle a plague threat. Hopefully the ensemble comraderie and Abbie's adorable nerdiness will rub off on the New Orleans bunch. Maybe they're a gumbo that just needs to set awhile.