‘NCIS’ season 11: Michael Weatherly ‘misses’ Cote de Pablo around set
One day after we saw Cote de Pablo’s exit from “NCIS,” an episode that was filmed a little bit earlier in the summer, we are now starting to hear a little bit more about just what sort of impact the actress’ exit had on the people who are stars on the hit CBS drama. While they are working on attempting to make the best drama possible, it’s still clear that the dynamic is a little bit different.
In an interview yesterday to Brooke Anderson on “Entertainment Tonight,” Michael Weatherly described just what he has felt in the weeks since shooting that goodbye scene and that kiss that fans have been long looking forward to seeing:
“We miss her around here. Men without women around become very uninteresting. You spice us up a little bit.”
While we’ve said it before and will continue to say it, the door is not necessarily closed on Cote being gone from the show forever. If she was not brought back, for example, for a potential series finale or a milestone episode down the road, it would surprise us. Whatever conflict that may be there between the studio and the star, if there is a conflict there at all, it could be overlooked in the right situation. But let’s not get too heavily into the “what ifs?” of the world for now. There is already enough speculation out there, and that last thing that we want to do is be a source for false hope when we are really talking about something that is significantly down the road.
For now, take a look here if you want to see what the show has planned for next week, which we insist is going to remain a huge episode for the future of the show. They need to grip fans that are disappointed by the change-up, and that may in some ways be difficult.
Photo: CBS
Kassie Lot
October 9, 2013 @ 4:37 pm
Sorry the preview doesn’t do it for me. I’m thinking that NCIS will move back to the season 5 and 6 numbers and slowly drift away after Mark Harmon doesn’t resign after his two years. I actually find NCIS LA much better than NCIS now. NCIS was always a character driven show and not a great storyteller. I think they lost a big part of their circle and sorry but it definitly felt something was missing and with that preview it probably will be the last time I watch.
Christy J
October 4, 2013 @ 2:20 am
I realize it’s not a popular sentiment, but I welcome this change. I’m looking forward to some fresh blood infused into the series. I love it but I don’t think it any longer is what it once was. I’m most heartened by MW’s teasers that Tony does grow up and grow into his own. I miss the competent best agent Gibbs once said he’d ever worked with instead of the one pining away for a woman who’s treated him so badly in many episodes over the years beginning with Boxed In. I miss the Gibbs/DiNozzo symbiosis of yesteryear. The good natured give and take teasing of the Kate days where it had more of a family feel rather than the sharper barbs of the Ziva days. These last few years Gibbs seems annoyed and irritated with Tony in too many scenes anymore. I’m hoping for a shoring up of that relationship while Tony finds his more ‘authentic’ self as MW referred to it. I’m hoping to get back to overall team family dynamic rather than being so heavily focused on Ziva and far out arcs of the last few seasons. Like I said, I know it isn’t popular, but I have high hopes the opportunity for re-balancing has just opened up. Past Present and Future missed the mark. Re-envisioning Ari as some romantic in-love version that goes against the Ari of cannon just didn’t ring true and dishonored Kate and her death at his hands. I’m so ready to see the show move on and move forward.
Lorraine192
October 3, 2013 @ 6:58 pm
And yep, judging by the trail I think they’ve missed a trick – I’m a huge NCIS fan, but the trail for next week’s episode is not inspiring even me. The draw of Ziva/Tiva should not be underestimated and I think they needed something really strong to entice those viewers thinking of switching over to stick with it. I know they probably wouldn’t have had a lot of time to re-write, but we’re now talking episode three and for a team of professional writers, writing a 43 minute script, it shouldn’t be that tough. I’m really hoping they will be brave enough to shake things up a bit, I firmly believe that more of the same, just without Ziva isn’t going to be enough to maintain the viewers, certainly not at the level to keep them in the number one slot anyway. Hoping that the actual episode proves to be a lot more interesting than the trail is currently leading me to believe. And after Michael Weatherly’s stunning performance last week, I’m going to be sorely disappointed if Tony just reverts back to the class clown we’ve seen way too much of just recently. Of late he’s had a split personality, reasonably competent agent one week and complete idiot the next – certainly not the best agent Gibbs has ever worked with any more. I’m all for a spot of goofiness, but as the condiment, not the main meal and certainly not at the expense of character. Wouldn’t mind seeing the return of that beard either!