‘NCIS’ Season 13 Update: Cote de Pablo’s Ziva David could re-appear ‘in some form’ (Review)

CBS’ “NCIS” Season 13 aired its 19th episode on March 22, leaving fans with only a few new episodes featuring Michael Weatherly’s Tony DiNozzo. In response to fan clamour for an exit that is linked to Cote de Pablo’s Ziva David, show boss Gary Glasberg said fans’ wishes “will be delivered in some form.”

Spoiler alert: This update contains “NCIS” Season 13 spoilers. Read on if you have watched the latest episode. UPDATE: Cote de Pablo reveals real reason for leaving NCIS.

In mid-November, “NCIS” director Dennis Smith posted on Twitter a reunion photo with Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly. Then in the first week of January, reports came out confirming that Tony DiNozzo is leaving the successful CBS crime drama at the end of Season 13. Fans could only hope that the trio got to talk about their schedules for Cote’s farewell guesting in connection to Tony’s exit.

“NCIS” showrunner Gary Glasberg hinted at being aware of what the fans are hoping to see in the final episodes of Tony DiNozzo. The show boss said there would be “lots of surprises” and “lots of twists and turn” in the last few episodes of “NCIS” Season 13.

"I promise you that everything you're fishing for will be delivered in some form," Glasberg told TV Guide. This ultimately leads to some hope for the Tiva fans, who have never given up hope on seeing their favourite couple on “NCIS” again.

Robert Wagner, who plays Tony’s dad, was recently seen in “Reasonable Doubts,” which aired on March 22. The duo’s final scenes could be considered a farewell, a way for the show to acknowledge Tony’s growth, well as the evolution of his relationship with his father.

In another Tony-connected farewell, Scottie Thompson has so far appeared twice in “NCIS” Season 13, reprising her role as Jeanne Benoit. Tony fell in love with Jeanne while Ziva was still in the show. If the writers are bringing back characters with strong attachments to Tony, it would make sense for Ziva to come back.

Ziva told Tony he is “so loved” in her final episode on “NCIS.” He tried to convince her to stay, but her mind was made up about leaving NCIS. At the time, Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and the whole team was trying to beat a big bad villain. It was difficult to believe that Ziva would just walk away – even if her reason was related to her brother, Ari Haswari (Rudolf Martin). Even Cote de Pablo herself thought the Tiva ending was “rushed.”

“I think it was rushed. I would have liked a little bit of closure,” Cote told TV Line, while promoting “The 33” early in 2015.

Cote de Pablo shocked many people when she decided to leave “NCIS.” If the Tiva ending was rushed, it could be partly because of the relatively short notice. In Michael Weatherly’s case, it appears the writers have more time to plan a landmark exit. The actor said his last NCIS filming day is April 28. (Related: 'NCIS' Season 13 Update: Ziva David return unlikely, Tony DiNozzo and Jeanne Benoit meet again)

Weatherly did not give a specific reason on why he is leaving NCIS, but the actor expressed his gratitude to the fans who have followed the show and his character from the pilot. It is believed that he wanted to expand himself as an actor and try other things in show business.

There is no new episode of “NCIS” Season 13 on March 29. The CBS series returns with an episode called “Charade” on April 5.

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