Why Many NCIS Fans Were Skeptical of Gibbs and Jenny

When it comes to romantic arcs in NCIS, fans have shown strong opinions. Some relationships — like Tony and Ziva or McGee and Delilah — sparked genuine affection. Others quietly faded or met tragic ends. But one pairing that always felt complicated, and never quite earned full fan approval, was the one between Supervisory Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and NCIS Director Jenny Shepard (Lauren Holly).

They had history. They had chemistry. But for many fans, something just didn’t sit right.

Jenny’s Inconsistencies Left Fans Frustrated

One of the biggest issues fans had with Jenny Shepard’s character was a lack of clarity in her motivations. A Reddit thread titled “Why did fans reject the romance of Agent Gibbs and Jenny Shepard?” revealed just how divided the audience was.

One commenter described her as unpredictable:

“It was like the writers didn’t know what to do with her or they kept changing their minds,” wrote u/maraudelle.

Jenny’s back-and-forth behavior, especially during Season 4, made it hard for some fans to believe in her feelings for Gibbs — or even in her role as a stable character. Others pointed out that the audience was still processing the loss of Caitlin “Kate” Todd (Sasha Alexander), and many had hoped she and Gibbs would eventually reconnect. Jenny, for them, didn’t fit the same emotional space.

Her Leadership Style Made Connection Difficult

Jenny wasn’t just another agent — she was the Director of NCIS. That power dynamic alone made things complicated. As Gibbs’ superior, even subtle moments between them could come across as awkward or out of place.

Redditor u/Dreamlacer summed it up:

“Jenny and Gibbs had history, but when she became the boss, it would've been highly inappropriate for them to get together.”

Her constant reminders of Paris — their romantic past — became a point of tension rather than nostalgia. What could have been a romantic subplot started feeling more like professional leverage.

Some Viewers Just Didn’t Like Her

While many fans appreciated Lauren Holly’s performance, others felt disconnected from Jenny as a character. One Reddit user pointed to her harsh demeanor and decisions that placed agents like Tony in danger, especially when her personal motives — including revenge — took priority.

“She did put Tony and the others in unnecessary danger,” one user noted. “She rolled the dice with their lives.”

On social media, even those who believed she loved Gibbs acknowledged her priorities lay elsewhere. As one Twitter user said, “She really did love him, but she put her career first.”

And for some, it wasn’t about the specifics at all. “I hated Jenny in every way,” another fan admitted.

A Romance That Never Had a Future

Despite moments of tenderness and shared history, the relationship between Gibbs and Jenny was more shadow than substance. Fans were given flashbacks, tension-filled scenes, and just enough ambiguity to stir speculation — but not enough to build something fans could root for.

In the end, it was all cut short. Jenny was killed in a gunfight at the end of Season 5, and Gibbs never pursued another lasting relationship onscreen. Thirteen seasons later, he remains alone.

Whether it was her character arc, her position as director, or unresolved emotional tension, Gibbs and Jenny never became the couple fans wanted. And maybe they were never meant to.

For a deeper look at NCIS romances that did click with audiences, see our article on How Tony and Ziva Redefined NCIS Romance or revisit the dynamic between McGee and Delilah.

What do you think? Should Gibbs and Jenny have gotten a real chance — or was it better left in the past? Share your thoughts with fellow NCIS fans below or in the comments on our Facebook page.