‘NCIS’ season 11 debate: Will Cote de Pablo’s successor serve as love interest?
Earlier this week, we’re sure that you heard the news that “NCIS” is currently casting a new woman to eventually become a significant part of the cast, much in the saw way that Cote de Pablo’s Ziva was for the past eight seasons. It’s not fair to say that she is a replacement per se, but much of the screen time that Cote had will be handed over to her.
Here is what you missed on the character, in case you haven’t seen the news just yet: The role’s name is Bishop, and the original fear that many fans have is that there is a little bit of a Mary Sue feeling coming from the description of her being bright, athletic, young, attractive, focused, and in her twenties. The one thing that keeps her from really venturing into that territory (thankfully) is that she is apparently socially awkward. Really, it’s not fair to judge a character until we’ve seen them; we’ve seen the fan base more than vocalize itself the past few weeks, but the cast and crew will figure this out. They got this show to #1 for a reason: They’re smart, and they know how to please their audience.
But we still have to ask the harrowing question: Could this Bishop be a romantic interest for any member of the team? We definitely can’t see her being with Tony, given both the age difference, the recent exit of Ziva, and the simple fact that it would probably cause fan revolts in the streets. McGee also currently has Delilah, and while Bishop’s first appearance is still several weeks off (she won’t appear until likely January on the show), this also seems unlikely.
Personally, we’re just hoping that “NCIS” scraps the love interest angle for a while, and focuses instead on keeping the story on something that all viewers would probably love to see at this point: Fun. Less on the romance following Ziva’s exit, and more on the creative cases. Then again, there’s really not that much romance on the show itself sometimes as it is, and the writers may just stay the course; the relationships tend to be blown up by fans after the fact thanks to their own understandable “ships.”
What do you think about the question at the top of the article? We want to hear your thoughts in the poll below! Meanwhile, click here if you want to read some more news related to a returning guest star.
Photo: CBS
Judy Sandberg
August 20, 2013 @ 3:01 am
Glasberg himself has said this is a character-driven show now and the cases are developed to fit the character story-line. Most of us watch week after week to see our favorite characters. Personally, Tony is why I watch. So, I want to see Tony-centric stories. I want to see Tony mature, see his father/son relationship with Gibbs deepen, his friendship with McGee grow stronger, and to see him in more undercover situations like “Nature of the Beast”. I love a strong, competent Tony who’s a leader. I’d like to see his rank and importance at NCIS increase. Tony may be aging, but he’s still handsome, virile, and sexy. Ziva helped us see the selfless, heroic side of Tony. Frankly, I want to see more of that some day. My preference is for Ziva to return, but if Cote chooses not to, then, I’d like to see Tony find real happiness with someone down the road a bit. Bishop sounds too young to be his true love. Frankly, I wish they’d bring in a 30-something instead of a 20-something.
Bellz Webster
August 19, 2013 @ 5:52 am
No she should not be a love interest for anyone. Too young for starters. McGee has Delilah. Tony is too old and now would be a good time for him to grow up more. He’s 45 not 25. Gibbs is a loner and doesn’t need anyone. I hope the writers can see that and leave him be who he is. Gibbs says he’s happy and he’s not lonely. NCIS is a naval crime show not the Love Boat. Let’s have more Marines, soldiers, ships, submarines and cold case crimes.
charli911
August 17, 2013 @ 5:28 pm
Let’s just let this be what it was meant to be in the beginning…. a cop show… leave the romance out completely…. it is possible for men and women to work together WITHOUT have anyone pair up… the ‘ships’ just show Shane Brenna’s soap opera background and I really don’t want NCIS to turn into a soap.
Sarah
August 17, 2013 @ 2:17 pm
I would prefer, that Bishop becomes nobodys love interest. Or when, then perhaps for a totally new, male character. I agree with the writer to keep romantic interests out for a while. Tiva didn’t happen and with Cote leaving, this ship goes down the ocean.
I would love to see a permanent relationship for Gibbs, though. But Bishop, in her twentys, would be too young for this opportunity.
And I agree, it shouldn’t be Tony. I am a Tiva-Shipper by the way, but it’s not the only reason, that I would prefer not to see her as Tonys new love. More important, I think, is the gap in years. As much as I love Michael Weatherly aka Tony, he is 45 now and becoming too old for a very young woman.
But who knows, time will show. The producers and writers just do, what they feel, is right, to do.