Is it me, or does the show NCIS seem to be slowing down?

I agree with you. I've watched since season 2 and when I watched it often people told me to get a life. Now all of a sudden EVERYONE loves it and has jumped on the bandwagon while I am growing tired of it. Yes it will probably be hard for them to get away from the stereotype of their characters if and when the show ends and I have a feeling that if half of the cast decided to leave (kinda like what happened to CSI) then people wouldn't watch as much. Just depends on who quits first or if for some reason the show has to be cancelled.

I disagree with your use of 'stereotype' because the characters are always showing many new aspects of their personalities and thoughts. Yesterday's episode is marked as being pivotal for almost all of them. No one is going to be the same after this season.

Tiredness is a natural thing after months of 16 - 18 hour / 6 day weeks.

NCIS is THE top rated show, so I doubt CBS is ever going to let it go.

Additionally, if you look at the Credits, you will see that many of the Episodes are Written and / or Directed by the cast. Mark Harmon used to be the star, now he's the Executive Producer. When the series (eventually) ends, these men and women will have Directorial credits (as Abby would say) up the wazoo. It is the same way as with Star Trek, where everyone in the series directed and / or wrote at least one to a half-dozen episodes. Many of those men and women are Producers of their own shows now.

Yeah, I know what you mean...Its as if they are bored, and want a change of character. I'm glad someone else has noticed!