One detail of theNCIS: Tony & Zivapanel atSan Diego Comic-Conrevealed how theNCISspinoff might underestimate one key characteristic of the couple’s story.Paramount+’sTony & Zivawill see Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo share the screen again as Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David after 12 years since they were last seen together inNCIS.
The road to get the titular characters to whereTony & Zivafinds them was full of obstacles, plot twists and faked deaths, withNCISreferencing Paris and their family life, never showing it. ThelatestNCISspinofffinally has the chance to do so, but it cannot forget what helped Tony and Ziva reach Paris in the first place.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva’s History Recap Doesn’t Feature Any Character From The Flagship
The Beginning Of NCIS: Tony & Ziva Places All The Focus Only On The 2 Of Them
TheTony & Zivapanel at San Diego Comic-Con, whichScreenRant’s Rachel Foertsch attended, revealed plenty of exciting details about the upcomingNCISspinoff, addressing the differences with the original series, while also raising the hype for one of the most anticipated reunions in theNCISuniverse. However, one clip also raised some concerns because of who it didn’t feature.
Tony & Zivawill release on Paramount+, whileNCIScontinues to air on CBS, making the two very different in form, as the first will inevitably have very distinct characteristics from a network TV show.
Indeed,the video shown at theTony & Zivapanel recapping the history between the titular characters only featured Tony and Ziva, not showing any otherNCIScharacter, without whom their story would have been much different. The spotlight on Tony and Ziva is understandable, given that the series focuses on them, but it’s also disrespectful towards the flagship’s characters.
This is especially true with the video being the start ofTony & Ziva’s premiere episode, setting the tone for the rest of the spinoff.No appearance of theNCIScharacters who had been like a familyfor the decade and more Tony and Ziva spent at the Navy Yarddownplays the role they had in Tony and Ziva’s story.
Gibbs & The Rest Of The MCRT Are Instrumental In Tony & Ziva’s Story
Tony & Ziva Would Have Never Gotten To Where They Are Without The MCRT Team
Tony and Ziva’s connection began and developed at work after Ziva’s arrival as Mossad’s liaison within NCIS in season 3. The banter that characterized their relationship from the very beginning wouldn’t have been possible if the two hadn’t connected as members of the Major Crimes Response Team, with their professional relationship paving the way for something deeper several seasons later.
The intense loyalty the MCRT had for one another also extended to a steadfast belief in their innocence if that was in question, and to support from afar when one of them was missing.
The wayNCISshowed Gibbs and the MCRTsupporting Tony and Ziva was unparalleled. After Tony’s fight with Rivkin ended in the latter’s death and brought Vance, Gibbs, Tony and Ziva to Israel, kickstarting the end of Ziva’s position within the MCRT and bringing to her capture in Somalia, Vance and Gibbs willingly sent McGee and Tony to save Ziva.
The intense loyalty the MCRT had for one another also extended to a steadfast belief in their innocence if that was in question, and to support from afar when one of them was missing.This proved crucial inNCISseason 11, episode 2 when Tony could stay weeks in Israel to look for Zivawith Gibbs and the team’s support.
Even Tony and Ziva’s separate exits, which led them to their story inTony & Ziva, wouldn’t have been possible without their family at the MCRT.Weatherly’sNCISexit as Tonyfocused entirely on Ziva’s presumed death and learning about Tali, which prompted him to leave his job to take care of his and Ziva’s daughter, something Gibbs fully supported.
Similarly,Ziva would still be on the run from Sahar had Gibbs and the MCRT not intervened inNCISseason 17. Her return revealed the truth about why and how Ziva had everyone believe she was dead, evenlettingNCISexplore the father-daughter-like bond Gibbs and Ziva shared. Thanks to the MCRT’s help with Sahar, Ziva could return to Tali.
Ziva’s brief return proved the MCRT members didn’t need to know her to help her, like Torres and Bishop.The MCRT’s help was thus instrumental in getting Tony and Ziva where they areinTony & Ziva,both practically and emotionally. Their friendship and assistance made Tony and Ziva who they are, making their absence inTony & Zivadisrespectful.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva Needs To Acknowledge The Role MCRT Played In Their Narrative
The NCIS Spinoff Needs To Do More Than Solely Mention The Flagship Characters
With their last appearances inNCISheavily focusing on the future awaiting them,Tony & Zivahas the perfect chance to accurately tellnot only how the titular characters acclimatized to their life in Paris, but alsoif and how they keep in contact with their old teamat the Navy Yard. Doing so can acknowledge the role MCRT played.
Thecalling out ofNCIScharacters inTony & Zivabeing mentioned at San Diego Comic-Con suggests the keyNCIScharacters’ absence in the recap is only temporary, with the spinoff wanting to acknowledge the duo’s history and who played a hand in getting them there. However,Tony & Zivashould do more than just offhandedly mention their MCRT friends.
Tony & Zivapremieres on Paramount+ on Thursday, June 23, 2025.
Several originalNCIScharacters appearing might be difficult, with them having exited the show, but given how McGee put his life on the line more than once for Tony and Ziva, he should appear in some form inTony & Ziva. It would make a crossover withNCISseason 23 possible and acknowledge their importance inNCIS: Tony & Ziva.
