‘NCIS’ season 13 spoilers: Show boss super-coy on potential Cote de Pablo return
We’ve been wondering for some time if “NCIS” would confirm Cote de Pablo’s return later this season even if they knew she was coming back, mostly for one reason: The element of surprise. Would there be a bigger shocker out there than getting to see her back as Ziva after more than two years away?
The more and more we hear about a potential Ziva return, the more we feel like CBS may not announce it in advance one way or another. For now, here are the latest comments from showrunner Gary Glasberg on the subject to TV Guide:
“Everything that people want and think should be a part of these episodes, on-screen and off-, whether it’s just story or background leading up to stuff … everything will be touched upon, and the whole writing staff is really putting some time and effort into it … People can absolutely plan on lots of surprises and lots of emotion, and lots of twists and turns, ultimately leading us toward Tony’s departure.
“I promise you that everything you’re fishing for will be delivered in some form.”
It’s certainly possible that Ziva’s return could just be through a mention or old footage, but we’re obviously hoping for something more. We don’t want anyone to get their hopes up just yet, so we’re trying to not gauge anything when it comes to odds or whatnot. We would say this to CBS as a bit of advice, though: If Ziva’s not turning up for Tony’s exit, you’re better off saying that definitively in advance. Otherwise, you run the risk of fan backlash and getting people hyped for something that’ll turn out to be a disappointment.
If you do want to get some other news right now when it comes to “NCIS,” be sure to head over to the link here! Also, sign up over at this link to secure some more TV news on everything we cover, sent right over to you via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: CBS.)
Guest
March 26, 2016 @ 12:31 am
I know this sounds stupid and please nobody bash me…but I still wish Tony married Kate. I mostly ship it still because of Life Before His Eyes episode. I haven’t watched many NCIS episodes ever since I just finished watching season 2,but I did watch the 200th episode and I wish the alternate reality was true. Just my opinion tho. I am going to miss Tony a lot. He was my favorite character along with Kate and Gibbs.
Sally Ann Price
March 23, 2016 @ 9:10 pm
I know that Cote is busy right now getting ready to do a play next month and also she is suppose to be in a pilot for a new series called Prototype. I think it depends on her.
Sandi Brooks
March 24, 2016 @ 11:37 pm
Showrunners have known for a year. Surely any booking that was needed was long ago arranged, and new projects worked around it. No scent showrunners would have waited until now to try to book.
sadtonyfan
March 25, 2016 @ 2:22 pm
But one of the hallmarks of Glasberg’s tenure is a lack of planning. It has seemed to me that he flies by the seat of his pants quite a lot. The only character he seems to focus on for the long term is Gibbs. Back in the beginning of this season he spoiled that Palmer and Tony would be at great odds later in the season. Unless this happens in the next 5 episodes it’s just another dropped idea. I don’t think he cares as long as Gibbs is front and center.
Sandi Brooks
March 25, 2016 @ 2:53 pm
Agreed. Tony was also supposed to have a 2 episode season finale arc at S11 or 12 end, and Gark snatched that away from him after RW death. At all costs, season finale must now always, always, be Gibbs centric. Tony was far more animated, smart, and interesting when Ziva was on the show. Bishop is a snooze, and additionally, putting her incapable self as Tony and Tim’s backup is almost criminally irresponsible.
Their stories often seem to be inconsistant w series history now, often OOC, the Jeanne episodes this season are an example. No body acknowledged how she was willing to send Tony to either prison or the chair, how she constantly pushed him into her own agenda (sprung a surprise meet the mom lunch on him, pushed him to buy a house w her, tried to manipulate him into telling him he loved her at the rock wall) and just made Tony look like and feel.like guilty crap. The woman does not know Tony DiNozzo, the man who strives for justice, and in fact, demanded he choose between the career he loved or her. She is a terrible waste of his last season, cause TPTB found it easier to steal an old storyline than invent a thrilling multi season heroic arc for Tony’s last half of S13.
Sandi Brooks
March 22, 2016 @ 6:13 pm
I’ve not seen anyone have the Chutzpa to actually ASK Harberg if Cote has actually been asked back.
liz laughlin
March 22, 2016 @ 8:06 pm
I don’t think that TPTB want her back. I also don’t think that they think the fans have much to do with the success of this show. The success is their great writing (which I haven’t seen a lot of lately) and Mark Harmon. They forget that back about 3 years ago they asked the fans on Facebook what the best episodes were. Those fans chose in order: Truth or Consequences, SWAK, Kill Ari Parts 1&2, Call of Silence, Under Covers, Requiem, Hiatus parts 1 & 2, Life Before His Eyes, Heartland and Detour.
Notice that numbers 1, 2, and 5 (Truth or Consequences, SWAK and Under Covers) were Tony or Tony and Ziva in the spotlight episodes. Both Kill Ari and Hiatus had Ziva come to the rescue of Gibbs (He wasn’t Gibbs almighty in those days.) In Kill Ari, she was the one who killed Ari to save Gibbs’ life. In Hiatus she was the one who helped Gibbs regain his memory. How easily they forget. Except for Detour, which featured Ducky and Palmer, the rest were Gibbs centered. Yes, Gibbs is good but according to those fans, Tony and Ziva were the top.
Sandi Brooks
March 22, 2016 @ 9:14 pm
Don’t need her “back” just need her concluding the Tony Ziva story with which they grew viewers, promoted and sold the show and from which they received the most social media buzz. Their lack of interest in rewarding the fans would send a big fat signal that the viewers don’t matter and they can go F off because Harberg will only care about own agenda.
liz laughlin
March 23, 2016 @ 4:26 am
Oh my! I don’t think that TPTB want her back for even one episode. My only hope is that Michael said that he was “sure” that they would meet again.
Sandi Brooks
March 23, 2016 @ 1:05 pm
Michael also said he had a meeting w LM when he decided he’d be leav8ng, and Scott Williams confirmed He has say in HIS exit. If it is Michael’s wish, I don’t think its just Harbergs decision. The tweets Michael posted about his mom wanting Tony to leave w ZIva? Would he have publicly called out his mom on that if he wasn’t going that direction?
Sandi Brooks
March 22, 2016 @ 3:05 pm
An iconic TV pair deserves an iconic send off. I have no doubt Cote would have kept her schedule free for her buddy Michaels exit. NCIS managed to plan for Jeanne to appear, not once, but twice, surely the far more popular and more long term scene partners should appear together. NCIS promoted show with Michael and Cote, and Tiva since Zivas first momentous scene with Tony (who could forget her first line “Having phone sex?” followed by an unusually flustered Tony responding how he has playing Charades, on the phone!). If she does not appears., I have no doubt it was due to MH or GG vindictive attitude about her choosing to not sign their contract again. They have been throwing shade at she and her character for 3 years and we fans resent it. Many of us only came to be fans and viewers BECAUSE of Cote and Cote with Michael. It is entirely possible this show could be long gone without the power of she and Michael onscreen. Just another dull procedural otherwise.
Joan Diane Elizabeth Asselin
March 22, 2016 @ 3:53 am
Gary is a big fat petty liar and ALL you can depend on when he does a season finale is that it will make little sense and you will have to use your own imagination – a lot !
No thanks – I am done with their empty promises !
Glonget
March 22, 2016 @ 3:13 pm
I too notice that his episodes sometimes don’t make sense as much as the old ones under Bellisario did.
liz laughlin
March 22, 2016 @ 8:22 pm
I choose to believe that he’s not a liar, but says things that are ambiguous. He’s hoping that his words are interpreted in a way that pleases the reader. He is not trying to tell you anything.really. It is all a matter of what you think he said or didn’t say. In my family we call it weasel words.
Layla
March 22, 2016 @ 3:21 am
Glasberg is clueless. Bring her back. Give us a real Tiva send off. Characters and fans deserve the happy ending. He’s playing games. I don’t trust him to do the right thing. Double talk is all he ever does. Ugh
Glonget
March 22, 2016 @ 3:11 pm
Double talk is what every showrunner ever does ?…
liz laughlin
March 22, 2016 @ 8:23 pm
Amen.
sadtonyfan
March 23, 2016 @ 10:29 pm
I have absolutely no desire to see Ziva dominate Tony’s departure. She was abusive and nasty to him except when she was having a self pity party. I’d love it if Tony’s departure could feature hero Tony but I doubt this could ever happen. Mr. Glasberg seems to think that Gibbs is the only character who can be the hero these days and is utterly predictable regarding this agenda. Also, they haven’t had even one episode in the last couple years that exclusively featured Tony so I don’t think that the writers are allowed to go “there” either. I’m sure the finale will be another drama which casts Gibbs as the one in danger and as the big hero. They’ll also no doubt be promoting the new character. I have this sinking feeling that there will be precious little time to give DiNozzo a worthy send off. Heads would roll if it wasn’t ALL about saint Gibbs.