Aside from the return of the two title characters,NCIS: Tony & Zivalooks most promising due to one opportunity provided by its release window that could facilitate a first-ever storytelling feat for the franchise. It’s difficult to say very much about the upcoming spinoff’s storyline ahead of release, as even details regarding most of theNCIS: Tony & Zivacastinvolve characters of whom fans have no prior knowledge. Fortunately, if it’s anything likeallNCISfranchise spinoffs, it won’t take long for viewers to start feeling connected with the newer characters.
Between the return of two beloved characters and a storyline that intriguingly covers both past and present,NCIS: Tony & Zivadoesn’t face as many hurdles to its success as spinoffs that change little more than location. The show’s biggest risk as of now is simply thatNCIS: Tony & Zivastreams on Paramount+, requiring fans who watchNCISexclusively on CBS to decide whether it’s worth a subscription. But the bigger question is whether the new show will embrace its full potential to deliver a bigger story than the franchise ever has before.
The Biggest NCIS Franchise Event Was A 3-Way Crossover With Los Angeles And Hawai’i In 2023
NCIS Largely Crosses Over With One Spinoff At A Time
It wasn’t long after the new spinoff was announced that fans began to ponder the possibility of anNCISandTony & Zivacrossover, although it’s uncertain what that would entail. There hasn’t been a shortage of crossovers in theNCISfranchise. Most only cross over two shows, or have multiple characters appear in a single episode (as was the case with the1000th episode ofNCIS). ButNCISseason 20, episode 10 kicked off a three-part crossover between the flagship and itsLos AngelesandHawai’ispinoffs.
The backdrop for the crossover event made sense as an excuse to bring the three teams together. Having already planned on attending a retirement party for FLETC professor Dale Harding (Robert Picardo),the teams join forces when Harding’s death unearths cryptic files that lead to multiple kidnappings and exposed agents. The stakes rise significantly with each episode, to the point that it’s understandable the franchise hasn’t staged a substantial number of similar events. However,NCIS: Tony & Zivasets up what might be considered an even bigger crossover opportunity.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva’s Release Window Could Set Up The Franchise’s First 4-Way Crossover
All Four NCIS Series Will Be Airing At The Same Time
Before getting carried away, it should be noted that a four-wayNCIScrossover wouldn’t necessarily air in as many parts. The crossover wouldn’t be grander than the aforementioned three-parter in terms of size, but rather in scope. And it’s made possible for the first time now thatNCIS: Tony & Ziva’s release scheduleconfirms the first season’s 10 episodes will air from Sept. 4 to Oct. 30. This means that, to at least a partial extent,all four currentNCISseries (the flagship,Tony & Ziva,Sydney, andOrigins) will air within the same timeframe.
SinceNCIS: Originsis a prequel whileNCIS: Tony & Zivawon’t be airing on the network,the simplest way to achieve a crossover of this magnitude would be for Ziva (Cote de Pablo) and DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) to appear in a two-part crossover betweenNCISandNCIS: Sydney. As for how to factor inOrigins, it could be as easy as bringing Mark Harmon back as Gibbs alongside the future version of a character unique toNCIS: Origins. And while this might sound like a lot to balance, the franchise is currently in a unique position to pull it off successfully.
Why An NCIS: Tony & Ziva 4-Way Crossover Makes Perfect Sense Right Now
There’s No Better Time To Unify The NCIS Franchise
TheNCIS: Sydneyteam has yet to cross paths with Parker’s (Gary Cole) crew. It’s more advantageous for that to happen now that both series are airing on the same night, andintroducing the DiNozzo family into the action could help promoteNCIS: Tony & Zivafor the sake of killing two birds with one stone. While reuniting Tony and Ziva with Jimmy (Brian Dietzen) and McGee (Sean Murray) would obviously be the bigger selling point, Tony would also likely have enough chemistry with JD (Todd Lasance) to sway those not yet watchingSydneyfrom their current spot on the fence.
It’s naturally harder to produce any type ofNCIS: Originscrossover, but Tony and Ziva could play a major role in making that possible. Gibbs' narration inOriginssuggests he’s currently guilt-wracked and looking backward. Were a major player from his past to resurface at the same time as anNCIS: Tony & Zivacrossover, it would establish a theme of Gibbs confronting his past while running into old friends. It wouldn’t be the easiest crossover to write, but it would make great strides toward unifying the franchise’s current installments.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva
Cast
NCIS: Tony & Ziva follows former NCIS agents Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David as they navigate danger across Europe. When Tony’s security company is attacked, the pair must uncover their pursuers and rekindle their trust to secure a future together. Set to be released in 2025, the series ties together personal and professional intrigue.
