Two fan-favorite NCIS characters return to the franchise in the spinoff NCIS: Tony & Ziva, and its promising timeline should atone for the mistakes the original series made regarding Anthony “Tony” DiNozzo and Ziva David’s relationship. The NCIS franchise is continuously expanding (on CBS and Paramount+), and the aforementioned spinoff serves as a blast from the past. As its title suggests, NCIS: Tony & Ziva brings back Michael Weatherly as Tony and Cote de Pablo as Ziva to continue the couple’s story on Paramount+. The new show is undoubtedly a gift to fans but also fixes NCIS’s past errors.
While Tony and Ziva’s romance was among the best in the TV show NCIS, their journey didn’t exactly have a perfect ending. At least, it wasn’t satisfactory for some viewers. Weatherly exited the CBS military police procedural series following the season 13 finale, and de Pablo left at the beginning of season 11 before briefly returning in seasons 16 and 17 (when Tony was long gone). As a result, both of their characters’ endings were somewhat disappointing and Tony and Ziva’s stories were intertwined. However, NCIS: Tony & Ziva should be able to make up for all the mistakes the parent show made.
Why Tony & Ziva’s NCIS Story Was So Frustrating
The Couple’s Ending Wasn’t Satisfying
Tony and Ziva’s romance is among the best slow-burns on TV, but it was also one of the longest. The NCIS couple’s will-they/won’t-they relationship grew tiresome as the seasons passed, and it didn’t even have a great ending that could make the long wait worth it. After more than a decade, Tony and Ziva’s story seemingly ended when she presumably “died” offscreen in the season 13 finale, “Family First.” The couple didn’t exactly run off into the sunset together, even when Ziva returned from the dead.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva will be all about [Michael] Weatherly and [Cote] de Pablo’s characters, and the spinoff can deliver on the romance between Tony and Ziva that NCIS didn’t show.
As many remember, Ziva faked her death and went into hiding to protect Tony and their daughter, Tali. However, Ziva returned in NCIS season 17 to neutralize the threat. Consequently, Ziva reunited with Tony and Tali in Paris (where they moved after Ziva’s “death”). The reunion happened offscreen, though, which takes a lot away from Tony and Ziva’s happy ending.
If a TV show couple (who has been on said series for a long time) doesn’t share their first real onscreen kiss until season 11, one would expect there to be a pay-off from the wait. Instead, fans were robbed of witnessing Tony and Ziva finally fully giving in to their feelings and committing to one another. The good news is that Paramount+’s NCIS: Tony and Ziva can redeem Tony and Ziva’s annoying NCIS ending.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva Will Deliver On The Romance That The Flagship Series Failed To Show
The Spinoff Can Focus A Lot More On Tony & Ziva
During a MIPCOM panel, a clip from NCIS: Tony & Ziva was shown, and Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly teased what’s to come in the spinoff. According to Deadline, the panel revealed NCIS: Tony & Ziva’s place in the franchise’s timeline. The series will pick up right after Ziva’s “death” and Tony and Tali’s move to Paris. So, the spinoff won’t skip over this pivotal period in the couple’s story. However, the premiere will eventually get to Ziva’s resurrection and reunion with Tony and Tali, meaning there will be plenty of time for the romance fans didn’t get to see in the original show.
The first season of NCIS: Tony & Ziva will also be doing a lot of catch-up to inform viewers about what Tony and Ziva have been up to in the years they have been missing from NCIS. This is necessary as the first NCIS TV show frustratingly never showed the couple’s happy ending. It also failed to take advantage of the couple’s biggest moments. Thankfully, NCIS: Tony & Ziva will be all about Weatherly and de Pablo’s characters, and the spinoff can deliver on the romance between Tony and Ziva that NCIS didn’t show.
How Tony & Ziva Will Be Different In The NCIS Spinoff Than In The Original Series
It Has Been A Long Time Since Fans Have Seen Tony & Ziva Together
A lot has happened to Tony and Ziva since fans last saw them in NCIS. They have been busy raising their daughter, and Tony opened a security business. However, when his place of work is attacked, the family must go on the run across Europe, which is when NCIS: Tony & Ziva’s story truly starts. At the show’s MIPCOM panel, de Pablo teased:
“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.”
It shouldn’t surprise the audience if Tony and Ziva have changed in the years since they reunited in Paris. Hopefully, by the spinoff picking up where NCIS left off with their story, viewers experience all the transitions in the couple’s life. Whatever the case, NCIS: Tony & Ziva will make up for the original show’s mistakes by emphasizing Tony and Ziva’s romance.