Summary
NCISmay have already set up Tony and Ziva’s spinoff story, and it might have been overlooked. Due to the writer’s strike,NCISseason 21 was a brief 10-episode season, but it still managed to pack a punch. It delivered a tribute episode to David McCallum’s Ducky and the1000th episode ofNCIS.With such epic milestones, one tiny detail was easy to overlook, but it could lead to another epic installment of the franchise,makingNCISseason 21 all the more significant.
There was a moment inNCISseason 21 that suggested there could be a promising connection between the flagship series andParamount+‘sNCIS: Tony & Ziva.The Tony and Ziva pilot could even cross over toNCIS,returning the franchise’s fan-favorite characters to where it all began while closing a critical unsolvedNCIScase. The opportunity for a connection between the series barely announced itself, especially considering it occurred in one of the most bizarreNCISepisodes ever. The confusing elements could have been a way to distract viewers while the episode subtly set up Tony and Ziva’s spinoff story.
10 Best Seasons Of NCIS, Ranked
NCIS has been on the air for over 20 years and has over 20 seasons. For better or for worse, some seasons definitely stand out more than others.
The Attack On Tony’s Security Firm Could Connect To The Villain From NCIS Season 21, Episode 6
The Villain From NCIS Season 21, Episode 6, “Strange Invaders” Is Still At Large
Reports aboutNCIS: Tony & Zivahave released many exciting details about the limited spinoff series. In its premiere,NCIS: Tony & Zivawill follow the agents as they run across Europe after an attack on Tony’s security companyfrom an unknown threat. The"unknown threat"could connect to another unknown threat fromNCISseason 21. In episode 6, “Strange Invaders,” the Major Case Response Team (MCRT) had a series of paranormal encounters. A levitating killer murdered their victim with ammunition that had an extraterrestrial connection, and the alien tease almost broke the entireNCISfranchise.
NCIS’ MCRT never traced the manufacturer, but it could lead to whoever planned an attack on Tony’s security firm.
While the paranormal connection seemed inevitable at one point, the team ultimately traced the attacker to an artificially intelligent drone that could murder on its own. The head of an artificial intelligence company,Daniel Silcott, revealed to the team that he developed the AI program for a weapon manufacturer in Sri Lanka, but that was all he knew about the people he had once worked with, who ultimately stole his technology and used it to create a deadly next-generation war machine.NCIS' MCRT never traced the manufacturer, but it could be whoever planned an attack on Tony’s security firm.
How Tony And Ziva Could Tie Into The Season 22 Storyline
Tony And Ziva Could Return In Season 22 To Launch Their Series
Tony and Ziva could factor into theNCISseason 22 story,since their series could share a mutual threat with the MCRT. Tony and Ziva could feature inNCISseason 22 after the attack on his firm, reaching out to their old agency for any potential leads they have on their attacker. The teams could discover that they share a mutual threat, and therefore,Tony and Ziva could return to the bullpen to help the team investigate. Their return to Washington Headquarters could be a potential temporary haven for them and their team before returning to Europe to investigate.
NCISseason 22 will premiere on CBS on Monday, October 14.
Tony and Ziva appearing onNCIScould be a way to re-establish their characters beforeNCIS: Tony & Zivadebuts on Paramount+. Featuring Tony and Ziva would be a clever way to promote the offshoot, which will be the first to be on a streamer rather than air on CBS. Even if Tony and Ziva don’t launch their series onNCIS,the agents could feature sometime inNCISseason 22 before their spinoff as a way to bring back the fan-favorite characters in the mothership.
Tony And Ziva’s NCIS Season 22 Role Could Bring NCIS: Tony & Ziva’s Premise Full Circle
NCIS: Tony & Ziva Needs A Tie To NCIS
IfNCIS: Tony & Zivaconnected toNCIS, it would officially bring the series' premise full circle. In the grand scheme of things,NCIS: Tony & Ziva’s title makes no senseafter their official casting update.The Tony and Ziva series cast does not feature a single NCIS agent; instead, it has international intelligence operatives. The casting is understandable since the series will take place overseas, where Tony and Ziva ultimately have settled down. However, branding the series with theNCISacronym made less sense after establishing that Tony and Ziva would have no official ties to the agency.
NCIS: Tony & Zivawill feature serialized storytelling for more connected episodes.
If Tony and Ziva’s main villain is the same as inNCISseason 21,NCIS: Tony & Ziva’spremise will connect back to the flagship. Michael Weatherly appeared onNCISbefore the spinoff, featuring alongside Jimmy in theDucky tribute episode. Ziva reaching out to the Washington MCRT for help or offering it would be a great way to give Cote de Pablo the same connection. TheNCISseason 21 weapons manufacturer could be the ultimate villain in the spinoff series, since they pose a massive threat to international intelligence and security, ultimately bringingTony & Ziva’s premise full circle.
NCIS
Cast
NCIS is a television series that follows a team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Premiering in 2003, the show explores various cases involving Navy and Marine Corps personnel, ranging from murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines.
