The new season of "NCIS" is being billed as a time of "changing dynamics" for the team, burdened with at least the temporary loss of longtime Agent Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon).

CarterMatt reports, even though Gibbs is widely expected to survive the multiple gunshot wounds he suffered during Season 12's finale, it's almost just a given that he won't be able to lead in the way he long has for quite some time, leaving the need for others to fill that vacuum.

With that comes conflict, not to mention expected clashes between several other members of the team.

The new season opens with Navy surgeon Dr. Cyril Taft (Jon Cryer from "Two and a Half Men" fame) frantically working to save Gibbs. At that exact same moment, Senior Special Agent Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) and CIA Officer Joanna Teague (Mimi Rogers) are in Shanghai trying to get the upper hand on the Calling.

In previous interviews, showrunner Gary Glasberg has hinted that Weatherly's already second in command behind Gibbs character could be poised for a greater leadership role now that his boss has been sidelined.

The last season already saw him in contact with the head of The Calling, Daniel Budd (Giles Matthey), so it wouldn't come as a major shock to see DiNozzo now looked to as more of the person in charge, at least for the time being.

TVLine reports a bigger role could also be on the horizon for Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette), with her character placed squarely in the crosshairs during an "Abby / Die Hard" sort of storyline where her technical prowess is needed to preserve the day for the crew.

"NCIS" Season 13 is set to premiere on CBS on Sept. 22, and Season 12 is now available in CBS All Access.