Summary
- Tony and Ziva's chemistry and working relationship developed significantly in NCIS, setting the stage for their spinoff.
- Key episodes like "Kill Ari," "Under Covers," and "Boxed In" show the progression of Tony and Ziva's relationship.
- Ziva's reappearance and departure in later seasons pave the way for future developments in the Tony & Ziva spinoff.
Several standout episodes in NCIS' long run demonstrate why Tony and Ziva deserved their own spinoff. Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly will reprise their roles as the special agents, headlining the Tony & Ziva cast. The Special Agents were core members of some of the most significant Major Case Response Team (MCRT) iterations, and as such, there are plenty of episodes to revisit when anticipating what's next for the pair.
Tony & Ziva worked closely with other core MCRT members during their shared time at NCIS. The pair worked closely with Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), Jennifer Shepard (Lauren Holly), Timothy McGee (Sean Murray), Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette), Dr. Mallard (David McCallum), Dr. Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen), Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll), Eleanor Bishop (Emily Wickersham), and other NCIS cast members, (a handful of whom are still on the original NCIS). Their shared events with the NCIS cast will set up Tony & Ziva's story in their upcoming spinoff.
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15 "Kill Ari" Parts I & II
Season 3, Episodes 1 & 2
"Kill Ari" Parts 1 & 2 are must-watch episodes when revisiting Tony & Ziva's timeline. The first and second episodes of season 3 introduce Ziva and see her gain Gibbs' trust when she ultimately shoots and kills her half-brother, Ari Haswari (Rudolf Martin), to protect Gibbs.
"Kill Ari Part I" is the beginning of Ziva's character arc, and the beginning of Tony & Ziva's professional relationship (as well as their chemistry). The episodes set Ziva up as a character who is comfortable in her sexuality, as well as her skills as a deadly Mossad agent.
14 "Under Covers"
Season 3, Episode 8
"Under Covers" is quintessential Tony & Ziva. After the bodies of a murdered assassin and his wife end up at NCIS, Tony and Ziva go undercover posing as the married couple to try to figure out who hired them. They find out the victims had reservations at a hotel where a Marine Corps ball is scheduled to be held.
The agents take the reservation and go all-out in their undercover roles in their hotel room, putting on a convincing romantic performance. The chemistry between Tony and Ziva is regarded by many as what made their relationship so important to the franchise.
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13 "Boxed In"
Season 3, Episode 12
"Boxed In" is a great development episode for both Tony and Ziva's characters and their relationship as agents and friends. While the team is searching for a container that has illegal weapons, the pair get locked in a container together after coming under fire and taking cover.
With the agents trapped together, there is some interesting chemistry between the pair, and it becomes clear that there is something in the air. The two getting to know each other in "Boxed In" lays the groundwork for their romance in future seasons, as it sees them getting to know each other better.