Who Was Shot in 'NCIS' Cliffhanger? 4 Theories for Season 24 - Yahoo
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NCIS's Season 23 cliffhanger is a masterclass in narrative suspense — and the four "who got shot" theories reveal exactly how writers manipulate audience psychology to keep us hooked.
Zeigarnik EffectNarrative Transportation TheorySuspense TheoryAudience Engagement
Theory Briefing
- The NCIS Season 23 finale ended on a gunshot cliffhanger involving Torres and Mateo, leaving viewers deliberately uncertain about the victim.
- Four competing fan theories have emerged, each exploiting our tendency to fill narrative gaps with pattern-based reasoning — a textbook case of the Zeigarnik Effect.
- Showrunners use unresolved tension as a retention tool, with Season 24 not arriving until Fall 2026, maximizing audience suspense over months.