Regardless of one’s internal struggles a long awaited series premiered yesterday. So, let’s set aside the fact I’ve been gone for way over a month and talk about this wonderful surprise we’ve been gifted, shall we?
This year I can’t even promise I will make up the posts as I haven’t kept track of what I’ve missed, and you shouldn’t make promises for things you cannot guarantee – all the cop shows taught me that – for now, let’s just move forward. Nothing brings one back to the keyboard like something they love.
And what better place to start, than the beginning.
Spoilers, obviously.
How Did We Get Here?
It has been over a decade since these two graced our screens together, with their last appearance as a pair being in NCIS Season 11 Episode 2: “Past, Present and Future”, and what a wait it has been.
I know that this spin-off was announced over a year ago because I distinctly remember powering through an NCIS rewatch because of it quite some time ago. Some of which was written about and recorded on this very blog. The remainder of which, not so much. So, let me catch you up, as is the nature of these posts.
I rewatched NCIS intermittently, as is evident. I don’t know exactly when I watched Ziva’s departure but I know it was some time ago because when I hopped back on to the NCIS train a few weeks ago it was in Season 13. I tearfully watched Tony leave, Ziva “die”, Abby leave, Ziva return and then leave again, and then to round all that off Ellie and Gibbs’ departures. I tried to give Season 19 a chance but it just doesn’t feel… the same… so I skipped to Ducky’s funeral, and Tony’s last 5 minute appearance and called it a day. I don’t know if I’ll keep up at this point. I might catch up insanely slowly, just when I need an episode to watch and I am, at that moment, not watching anything else – but otherwise I do not care about the current roster of characters to be invested like I was. Nick and Kacey never grew on me enough, and the last two reasons I was holding on left in too quick succession from each other for me to form attachment to either of their replacements before calling it quits. This was fun, NCIS, but one can go on for too long, wouldn’t you say?
All that said, boy, am I glad Tony and Ziva are back!
So, real quick, the end of the beginning.
Ziva’s departure, to my vague memory, was not bad. In fact, it in some ways made sense. From what I can recall she had been someone’s weapon all her life and she just wanted to find herself, find a life that wasn’t about someone’s mission. I like that for her. She earned it.
Of course, being who she is, she went back to Tel Aviv. Facts we will address eventually.
Tony’s departure is quite literally the biggest writing mistake the flagship show ever makes. Comparable only to whatever the f**k they did to Ellie. For Tony? It’s great, it works very well for him. In some ways it’s sad he hangs up the badge to become a father, like the two aren’t compatible, but of course Vance and Tim show us that’s not the case.
On the other hand, it makes sense for him, I suppose. It’s a lot of information to process, Ziva, Tali, etc. He goes first to find answers in Israel – which we will come back to – and then to Paris, where he had some of his favourite memories with Ziva, so that makes sense. It works for Tony, especially as he hasn’t quite felt like himself since Ziva’s departure. He obviously had an arc going on with his relationship to Ziva that was disrupted with her departure and that arc doesn’t quite recover without her. He feels almost lost without that relationship as an end point to his story, so, to have him leave to be the father to their child… that all makes sense.
For Ziva? This is the worst writing choice ever made. I’m not saying the show is/was sexist, but I’m not not saying that. They just have an interesting relationship with their female characters which are often largely overshadowed by the sheer amount of male egos… and I mean just look at the death numbers.
Ziva had a kid and didn’t tell him? It feels as much like Ziva as it doesn’t. I don’t think her character ever indicated she didn’t want to be a mother, so that’s fine. Not telling Tony is a toss up. I can almost excuse it… but then they killed her OFF-SCREEN! Which is the worst. How could they? How dare they? I distinctly remember watching that, possibly when it aired way back when – because I know I went on to watch the first season of Bull – and while by the time I was rewatching it for this I couldn’t remember what led up to it, I do remember that I hated it. I still do. Killed to write off a man. What a fumble.
So, thank the gods above we get the treasure that is Season 17.
Now, Ziva’s appearance in Season 17, of which there are 4 episodes, brings it’s own issues. Least among them the massive plot holes they have to wade through… but they did, and I would argue, with some relative success.
Firstly, I fully believe Ziva would fake her death and go on the run to protect Tali. This is 100% a Ziva move and I don’t even think it’s the first time she’s done that. I’m already on board. It is clearly an attempt to remedy the massive mistake made four years ago, but- it is an acceptable one because it completely tracks with the Ziva we know and love. Who despite finding a family with NCIS – and a better father than she ever had in Gibbs – never really outgrew her lone wolf tendencies. Not that she’s completely alone, she does have Adam, and is, in some ways, relying on Tony. She may have left to put all this behind her, but she is ever the paranoid and ever the target, even when she does not want to be.
Secondly, she does eventually state that Tony successfully found her way back when he left, which is very Tony. Every time she’s disappeared before it was Tony who found her, so it makes sense he would have again, and makes sense they would’ve parted ways to protect Tali until Ziva can rid herself of this threat and return to them. As I said, relying on Tony and as I said, of course he went to Israel to find answers and succeeded.
Thirdly, like all we’ve seen before, this arc comes right back to the killing of Ari, which, at time of writing, happened about two decades ago. I will say this about NCIS, for a procedural, they never quite forget. I don’t mind that they bring it back to Ari, he was – and remains – important to her character. Speaking of things important to her character, that is going to be something to unpack in a moment.
On the last things I have to say about this arc, I really f**king enjoyed it, if you’ll pardon my french. I like that Ziva comes back clearly effected from having to jump back in, on the run and in hiding, separated from her child. It’s getting to her, she’s having panic attacks. In many ways it humanises this ex-assassin, and makes an arc that has effectively been happening behind our backs feel consequential. They told us, via Ellie, that Ziva was still alive in Season 16, which I didn’t expect. I really thought she was just going to appear out nowhere, but they laid the ground work for it, I should’ve expected more of them. That episode alone reminded us of the heart Ziva carried, even if she shielded it. Ever the more impactful to then see her again and see her struggling… with this decision, this life, this mission, this loss.
There is a few understandable riffs between the characters, but it is best not to judge them too soon, because by the end of the four total episodes every bridge is mended, Ziva is effected, but on her way back to her family, finally.
And while we don’t catch up again with the DiNozzo/David household, there is some comfort in knowing they are going to be reunited, finally. We do all remember – and can rewatch – what they were like back when they were still on screen together. Some undeniable chemistry, that is for sure. This is an ending their story had always deserved.
Which, of course, brings us to this week. All caught up for the spin-off NCIS: Tony & Ziva, which was announced so long ago and now today it begins.
Tony & Ziva Together Again
September 4th, 2025, the three episode premiere graces our screens globally as it drops on Paramount+, which I am so thankful I currently have. With weekly Thursday releases oncoming for the rest of the season.
I watched it immediately. Obviously.
I do generally take a few hours to days to several rewatches to fully process something I have watched – and believe me I see several rewatches in my future – but it having been like an hour since I finished Episode 3, let’s discuss, shall we?
One: This is f**king brilliant. Whoever pulled this all together should get an award because this is- I mean, not to speak too soon, because it can still go downhill from here, but it is just fantastic. I don’t have quite the words to express how good this series feels and how good it is to see Tony and Ziva on our screens again. So… f**king brilliant will just have to do I am afraid. Though, why they both still have their NCIS ID’s a decade after resigning is truly beyond me.
Two: Ziva is in therapy. This isn’t the only thing I should be discussing but it is a thing very important to me. Having watched Season 17 just so recently, it gave a fear in me that they might just forget that, and I hoped to all the holy gods that they wouldn’t. And they didn’t. I was quite happy to see that. She’s in therapy, she’s processing all those years of trauma and survival mode engrained in her mind and body. It is so good to see. Of course, she is still Ziva David paranoid and badass but she is as such in a slightly healthier manner. Besides, admitting one needs therapy and actually going is a healthy step within itself. One, I am particularly glad to see her take.
Three: Weatherly has apparently described the show as a When Will They – I believe him to be right. We are getting flashbacks to 2020 – something I will bring up again – as it goes on. They’re reunification, with the present and it shows they didn’t just jump straight into things – though there was much tension, inference, longing stares and some intimacy in what we have seen – but whatever went on in that time they’re also not together currently. However, as Ziva said, they have never had an issue with chemistry, and if they would stop undressing each other with their eyes perhaps they would be more focused. I only jest mildly, but seriously, when will they?
Four: That said, starting with a wedding that’s not theirs is f**king cruel. And like I knew it wouldn’t be. I saw the promo photos and I did not get my hopes up, but that does not, and I cannot stress this enough, make it any better. I hate you only slightly because you did still bring them back.
Five: We’re all aware COVID was canon in the NCISverse, yes? These flashbacks are going to reach a point of a global pandemic, are they not? We’re already in May. I don’t know the details of how France handled it but as it was a global pandemic I’m going to safely assume they were not immune. Just thought I would mention that.
Six: It’s nice in Paris, though. I do like their use of french music too. It means the score sounds as global as the plot is. Being in Europe does help in give reason to them not immediately leaning on their US-based friends, which were mentioned. They did explain it was perhaps best not to call Tim, and I don’t disagree, the current events being what they are. Regardless, this is as much a romcom as it is an action and Paris is the city of love, after all.
Seven: Lesbians. That’s actually the end of that point. I just want everyone to know there are lesbians. Ex-military and hacking Lesbians. Lesbians.
Eight: And there was only one bed. I mean… is it not a classic for a reason? And then to wake up all snuggled and Ziva to sneak out before he knows? Oh, c’mon, now. The tension and chemistry is undeniable.
Nine: I know him! That is the one and only Edwin Jarvis, a mister James D’Arcy. Not only him but also Maximilian Osinski, also known as S.H.I.E.L.D’s own, Agent Davis. Fun fact, he’s married to Dichen Lachman, or Jiaying. The interconnected world of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D brings me great joy, and it’s blast to see these two on my screen again.
Ten: The actual plot. Right now the plot is little more than a backdrop to my joy. It’s entertaining, it’s action packed and it feels very Tony & Ziva. In fact, despite the years since we saw either of them, both of them feel very much like the characters we used to know. It happens, but sometimes characters can return after years and they don’t quite feel like themselves, but these, they do. Ziva feels like Ziva. Tony feels like Tony. And yet they also both feel like the natural progression of these characters that became parents to a 10 year old. Aside from that I feel I can’t really comment on the plot without having the full answers – or at the very least the outcome of this fake wedding – and we won’t have those for weeks. So for now, I’ll say, it’s perfect, and we will talk about it in full when this series comes to it’s unfortunate close. This is after all just the first three episodes and while I can’t quite recall how many we’re due to get – I’m going to assume it’s eight – I’m sure I’ll have much more to say when we do get them and we get a much fuller picture. There is still so much we don’t know about the past nevermind the events of the present.
The Unaddressed Elephant in the Room
Ziva David is Israeli- and ex-Israeli government at that.
There is a current world climate around that particular country that I’m not saying they have to address, and they probably won’t, but it does feel like a risk in general to bring her back at all, fan-favourite or not.
I’m just glad to have her back, and personally unaffected by whether they chose to address it or not. I do tend to consume my media in a vacuum, not that it’s ever made in one, and keep politics off my blog, that’s just how I prefer it. As far as I can gather in Hollywood, it doesn’t matter whether you’re pro or anti Palestine, it doesn’t go well for anyone to say anything either way. A code of silence, if you will. I am not nearly informed enough but I can recognise atrocities when I see them. They are likely to say nothing at all, in fact they’ll probably avoid it as best as possible.
The thing is, though, and this did occur to me both in my rewatch of her original arcs last year and her Season 17 reappearance, the country matters to Ziva. She did give up her citizenship, yes, she became an American NCIS Agent, but she doesn’t forget it. She keeps the flag with her American one, shit gets tough she goes back to Tel Aviv, her family is still Israeli, dead though they may be. She might be in Paris now, but she was living out her days with Tali in Israel. Ari more than worked for Hamas. His mother was Palestinian, she worked on the Gaza Strip with Ari and was killed in an Israeli missile strike. Ari was supposed to be a mole, Ziva was supposed to be her brothers handler, that’s why she appears in Season 3. The fact she had to shoot him to protect Gibbs after he goes rogue haunts her. She comes back in Season 17 and it’s still about Ari. Might not be about Ari now, but he still matters to her. That was her brother. So much of those countries and their early 2000’s political contexts were apart of her story and season stories back then. NCIS has, in many ways, always been a bit political by it’s nature.
They’ve already mentioned that she is Ex-Mossad, Jewish Mother. They’re not forgetting that those are parts of her story, they’re just not mentioning that those parts of her story are tied to some truly awful atrocities at present- so far anyways. The only mention of Israel was in a flashback/recap from Tony’s departure. Though because we literally saw Tel Aviv in the recap from Ziva’s departure we have technically seen it too.
It just feels worth thinking about if not to hold it against them. Over all this show is truly brilliant, surpassing most of my expectations and high hopes. They already took the risk to bring her back at all and as TV goes there are only so many risks they will probably take. As light-hearted as NCIS can be, the show is currently quite lighthearted so… ya know… I don’t really know. It’s complex, I suppose, from an industry stand point. Who are we to guess to the considerations made behind closed doors. Whether the show would even have space to address it if they were even going to take the risk. I don’t know. The show doesn’t tend to forget, but I wouldn’t call them bold either so-… Just enjoy it in it’s vacuum, I guess.
Some Final Words
A lighter note to close us out.
We only have three episodes so you can’t really say too much. Of course, I have said quite a bit, but- just to relieve the mood, I will reiterate in so many words. We have waited over a year, or if you want to think about it, over a decade, for this show, this story, this reunited pair on our screens. Their chemistry and tension was palpable a decade ago and not an ounce of that in the time that’s passed has been lost. It is a joy to see them running together again and I can’t wait to see how this unfolds in the coming weeks.
This show has been patiently and long-awaited for, and as far as I can tell right now, it is going to deliver on all it’s promises and be well-worth the wait.
I do have the concern that is it giving limited series vibes, but it has only just begun so we’ll just cross our fingers and try not to be too unintentionally cynical. Enjoy what we do have because a few years ago this in and of itself would’ve been a pipe dream and now here they are prancing around Paris as parents together. How beautiful.
I am so glad we get to see them again.
To Conclude
Hi! I’m back. Briefly. Will I stay? Who knows! We’ll find out.
Patience is a virtue and motivation is a quality I do not currently possess. With great love for any patience you may have for me, assuming any of you are still reading at all, I hope you enjoyed this less than brief catch-up. Thank you so much, more than words can express, for reading this post.
I hope you will join us for the next, whenever that may be. As always:
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You can follow me on Instagram at: @thebomff or on Threads at: @thebomff
On to the next!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the images, narratives or characters present or referenced in this post. All rights belong to CBS, Paramount, Marvel and all other relevant parties.