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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

Amen.