Two beloved characters from NCIS are making their return in the upcoming spinoff NCIS: Tony & Ziva, which aims to address the missteps of the original series regarding Anthony “Tony” DiNozzo and Ziva David’s relationship. As the NCIS franchise continues to expand on CBS and Paramount+, this new show promises to be a nostalgic journey for fans, bringing back Michael Weatherly as Tony and Cote de Pablo as Ziva to further explore their story.
While Tony and Ziva’s romance was celebrated as one of the best slow-burn relationships on television, their journey didn’t wrap up satisfactorily for many fans. Weatherly left the series following Season 13, while de Pablo exited at the beginning of Season 11, returning briefly in Seasons 16 and 17 when Tony had already departed. This left both characters with underwhelming conclusions to their arcs, and their intertwined stories felt incomplete. However, NCIS: Tony & Ziva is set to remedy these past mistakes.
The Couple’s Unsatisfying Conclusion
Tony and Ziva’s relationship was characterized by a prolonged will-they/won’t-they dynamic that ultimately fizzled out without a proper resolution. After years of tension, their story seemingly concluded when Ziva “died” offscreen in the Season 13 finale, “Family First.” Although Ziva later returned from the dead, the couple never shared a definitive happy ending, and their reunion in Paris happened offscreen, robbing fans of the moment they had been eagerly awaiting.
In NCIS: Tony & Ziva, the focus will squarely be on Tony and Ziva, allowing the spinoff to delve into the romance that the original series often overlooked. Ziva’s faked death was a pivotal plot point intended to protect Tony and their daughter, Tali, but it led to an unsatisfactory payoff for their relationship. Thankfully, this new series will explore the emotional depth and romantic developments that fans missed out on.
A Fresh Start for Tony & Ziva
During a recent MIPCOM panel, a clip from NCIS: Tony & Ziva was showcased, revealing that the series will pick up immediately after Ziva’s supposed death and Tony and Tali’s move to Paris. This means the spinoff won’t skip over this critical period in their story. The premiere will eventually address Ziva’s resurrection and her reunion with Tony and Tali, ensuring plenty of opportunities to showcase their romance that fans have longed to see.
The first season of NCIS: Tony & Ziva will also catch viewers up on what the couple has been through during their absence from the franchise. This is crucial since the original NCIS series failed to properly depict their happy ending or fully capitalize on their significant moments. Fortunately, NCIS: Tony & Ziva is dedicated to exploring the lives of Weatherly and de Pablo’s characters, allowing the romance that the original show left behind to take center stage.
A Long-Awaited Reunion
Since fans last saw Tony and Ziva together in NCIS, much has transpired. They have been busy raising Tali, and Tony has started a security business. However, when that business comes under attack, the family must go on the run across Europe, setting the stage for NCIS: Tony & Ziva. As de Pablo noted at the panel, “We haven’t seen these characters since 2013, and I think the fans have always wanted to see what happened between them. In our first season, they’re going to get a fix of what has happened.”
As the spinoff picks up where NCIS left off, viewers can expect to witness the growth and changes in Tony and Ziva’s lives since their reunion in Paris. Overall, NCIS: Tony & Ziva promises to rectify the original series’ shortcomings by emphasizing the romance that has captivated fans for years.
