The NCIS franchise continues next year with the much-awaited spinoff, NCIS: Tony and Ziva. The series will focus on Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), who have reunited in Paris to raise their daughter, Tali (Isla Gie).
Years after Ziva’s supposed death and Tony’s departure from NCIS, the couple will face new challenges when they must run from unknown attackers. The show will show their journey as they try to rebuild their lives and find a happy ending.
But what led Ziva to fake her death? What happened in the past that made her disappear, leaving Tony and her friends to believe she was dead? Let’s look at the major events that made Ziva go off the radar in NCIS.
Ziva’s Death Faked by Trent Kort in NCIS Season 13
In NCIS Season 13, during the finale episode titled “Family First,” it seemed that Ziva David was killed. Her death appeared to be caused by a mortar attack on her house, which was set up by Trent Kort (David Fayan Fisher), a rogue ex-CIA agent.
In this same episode, Tony discovers that he and Ziva have a daughter named Tali. Ziva had left NCIS earlier, and Tony didn’t know about the child’s existence. Ziva’s friend, Mossad Director Orli Elbaz (Marina Sirtis), explains that Ziva kept Tali a secret from Tony because she didn’t want to complicate his life.
When Tony meets Tali, he realizes Ziva must have told her about him because Tali recognizes a picture of them and calls him “Aba,” the Hebrew word for father.
In the same episode, the NCIS team, including Tony, finds Kort and kills him as payback for Ziva’s apparent death. After losing Ziva, Tony hands in his badge and gun, leaving NCIS.
This marked the end of Michael Weatherly’s 13-year-long role on the show. Tony then decides to focus on raising Tali, seemingly closing the chapter on his relationship with Ziva. But that all changed in Season 16.
Ziva’s Shocking Return in Season 16
In the Season 16 finale, “Daughters,” Ziva David makes her return. She surprises Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) in a cliffhanger scene, revealing that she is alive. Ziva tells Gibbs that he’s in danger, which leads to the events of Season 17. In this season, Ziva’s storyline is shown further, explaining why she had to fake her death.
It turns out that Ziva had to go into hiding because a dangerous operative named Zahar (Louise Barnes) was after her. Zahar wanted revenge for the death of Ari Haswari (Rudolf Martin), Ziva’s half-brother, whom Ziva killed in 2005. Ari had gone rogue and worked for terrorist groups, including Zahar’s. Ziva killed Ari during a confrontation with Gibbs, which made Zahar blame both Ziva and Gibbs for his death.
To protect her family and friends from Zahar’s threats, Ziva staged her death and operated in secret, trying to eliminate the threat. During Season 17, Ziva reconnects with Gibbs to help take down Zahar and her group.
In the episode titled “The North Pole,” it’s revealed that Zahar was living next door to Gibbs, raising her son, Phineas.
Ziva eventually confronts Zahar in an abandoned warehouse, but Gibbs arrives just in time to stop Zahar once and for all. Ziva then helps NCIS rescue Phineas in the next episode, “In the Wind,” marking her last appearance in the series as she leaves to reunite with Tony and Tali in Paris.
What’s Next for Tony and Ziva in NCIS: Tony and Ziva?
In the upcoming spinoff, NCIS: Tony and Ziva, the story picks up with Tony, Ziva, and their daughter living in Paris. However, things take a turn when Tony’s security company comes under attack, forcing the family to go on the run across Europe.
Tony and Ziva will have to work together to figure out who is behind the attacks, and Tony will struggle with trusting Ziva again. He still harbors doubts about her love for him because she kept Tali’s existence a secret and faked her death. A major part of the series will deal with Tony rebuilding his trust in Ziva.
Fans Excited for the Return of ‘Tiva’
The return of Tony and Ziva has excited longtime NCIS fans, especially those who loved their relationship, often referred to as “Tiva.” In the original NCIS series, their relationship never got a full resolution. The two characters didn’t officially reunite onscreen, and the romance between them was never fully shown.
With this new spinoff, fans will finally get to see Tony and Ziva’s relationship take center stage, with Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo returning to their iconic roles.
The spinoff NCIS: Tony and Ziva offers a fresh chapter in the lives of Tony and Ziva as they raise their daughter while facing new threats. The series provides long-awaited closure for fans of the couple, showing how they rebuild their relationship after Ziva’s fake death and secrets.
With action, suspense, and emotional depth, viewers can expect a thrilling yet heartfelt journey as Tony and Ziva balance their love and family with the dangers that follow them. This next step in the NCIS franchise brings excitement for both new audiences and loyal fans, eager to see the duo find peace and happiness.
