Tony and Ziva are often considered to be NCIS’ best romance, but NCIS season 22, episode 17 just reminded me which couple is really the best. While romances have never been the focus of the NCIS shared universe franchise, they have been a significant subplot, with characters like Tony and Ziva experiencing years of a will-they/won’t-they romance. In fact, most NCIS couples have been in slow-burn relationships.
NCIS season 22 even started out the season by continuing the trend of romances that took a while to ignite with Jessica and Jimmy’s uncertain reunion after their breakup in the NCIS season 21 finale. NCIS’ interest in the slow-burn trope has only highlighted Tony and Ziva’s tense and dramatic relationship, making them one of the more memorable couples on the show. However, there is one couple that is even better than Tony and Ziva, and they are not even in a slow-burn relationship.
Delilah’s Appearance In NCIS Season 22, Episode 17 Reiterated Her And Tim’s Stable Relationship
Delilah & Tim Have Been Married For 8 Years
Delilah rarely appears on NCIS, but when she does, she always acts as a happy reminder of her and Tim’s happiness. When Delilah shows up at NCIS to briefly help with a case, she and Tim’s nemesis, Gabriel LaRoche, quickly befriend each other. The two discover they have several interests and, in order to smooth things over with Tim, LaRoche invites both Delilah and Tim to dinner with him and his wife in NCIS season 22, episode 17.
They support each other and work hard at maintaining their relationship.
Delilah’s appearance in NCIS only reiterates how well she and Tim work together, as a couple and as partners. They have been together for over a decade and have been married for eight years, having had two children during this time as well. It may be easy to forget Delilah because of how uncommon her appearances are, but it is clear how perfect the two are for each other. They support each other and work hard at maintaining their relationship.
The best example of this is near the end of episode 17 when Tim becomes suspicious of LaRoche again. To help him, Delilah spills some wine on Tim’s pants so he would have an excuse to get up from the table and snoop around. While Delilah may not always agree with Tim and thinks that Tim has no reason to dislike LaRoche, she understands that this is part of his job and helps him anyway. She trusts him to do the right thing, and if that includes snooping at someone else’s house, she agrees to disagree.
The McGees’ Stable Marriage Is A Healthier Romance Than Tony & Ziva’s Tumultuous Relationship
Tony & Ziva Have Experienced Too Many Forced Separations
As a couple on television, Tony and Ziva are fun and exciting. However, realistically, Tim and Delilah’s romance is better. Tony and Ziva danced around the idea of becoming a couple for years before it became too late. At first, Ziva’s decision to leave in NCIS season 11 ended her will-they-won’t-they relationship with Tony. Later, her decision to fake her own death practically annihilated any chance of them getting back together until season 16, when she returned.
The back-and-forth decisions and surprise announcements make for great drama, but they also create an unhealthy dynamic filled with risk and danger. As a result, Tony and Ziva’s relationship will always be haunted by their moments of near-death. NCIS’ Tony and Ziva may be a popular couple, but their instability moves them second to the McGees’ healthy relationship. Tim and Delilah have also had their share of scary moments, but not to the same extent as Tony and Ziva.
What Makes Tim & Delilah’s Romance In NCIS Work (When Others Have Failed)
Delilah & Tim Share Everything
The longevity of Delilah and Tim’s relationship is not without reason. In NCIS season 22, episode 17, Delilah revealed exactly what has made her and Tim’s romance last so long. In response to Tim wanting to keep a secret about LaRoche’s ongoing case while at LaRoche’s dinner, Delilah angrily whispered, “We don’t keep secrets in this family.” Delilah’s short sentence may be the key to NCIS romances and the answer behind why most NCIS couples fail.
Delilah and Tim share everything and do not keep their work and personal lives separate. As both of them are government officials, it also probably makes their relationship easier since they both understand the stress the other goes through. Delilah’s NCIS season 22 return has only solidified the view that she and Tim make the best NCIS couple. When compared to Nick and Robin’s romance or even Jessica and Jimmy’s, Delilah and Tim are not scared of talking things out and revealing uncomfortable information. That is why they have lasted so long.