An NCIS character had to die for Ziva to join Gibbs’s Major Case Response Team, and it’s not Caitlin Todd. Kate Todd experienced a shocking death in NCIS season 2, leaving the team down a member and everyone brokenhearted. Kate was seemingly impossible to replace, but then Ziva David entered the narrative. Cote de Pablo quickly stole the show as the Mossad liaison officer, skillfully replacing Sasha Alexander’s character. The transition between the female agents was early in the show’s development and needed success.

As such, dramatic and meaningful events had to unfold, and that’s precisely what happened in “Kill Ari Part II.” In one of the best episodes of NCIS, the team mourns the loss of their fallen mate, and Ziva is introduced as she initially advocates for Ari. The team is originally skeptical of Ziva, and it’s understandable since her intentions are initially unclear. While she immediately clicked with the team, she didn’t have their trust, with one character death required for that trust to be developed with Gibbs, Tony, McGee, Abby, and Ducky.

Ari Haswari Had To Die For Ziva To Join Gibbs’ Team

Ziva David Had To Earn The Team’s Trust

More important than Caitlin Todd, Ari himself had to die for Ziva to join the team. The MCRT members were initially suspicious of Ziva until she shot Ari, signaling her alignment with their core truths and values. Ziva did not just kill Ari because he betrayed Mossad. He was actively trying to kill the NCIS team leader.

Ziva shot Ari after he broke into Gibbs’ basement and planned to shoot the agent in charge, killing him in Gibbs’ defense. He had already aimed a bullet at Gibbs’ forehead, demonstrating how dangerous the situation was. In protecting him, Ziva earned Gibbs’ enduring trust – establishing a strong relationship that could even facilitate Mark Harmon’s NCIS return.

Why Ari’s Death Helped Ziva Gain Gibbs’ Trust

Ari And Ziva Shared A Key Family Member

There is a reason that Ari Haswari is NCIS‘s most crucial antagonist. Ari was Ziva David’s half-brother. They were both the kin of Mossad Director Eli Davi, who raised Ari to be the ultimate Mossad double agent. In shooting her blood relative, Ziva earned Gibbs’ trust more deeply because he could immediately see the pain it caused her. This is revisited in NCIS season 3, episode 24, “Hiatus Part II,” when Ziva successfully shakes Gibbs of his amnesia after reminding him, among other things, that she shot her half-brother to save him. The memory visibly tears her apart.

The memory of Ari’s death could be revisited in NCIS: Tony & Ziva. Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo will reprise their roles as not special agents but parents. They will be on the run across Europe as they deal with themes of trust with their daughter Tali. The spinoff would be the perfect setting to explore how Ziva processed the trauma of killing her brother. The actors teased that they wanted Rudolf Martin to return as the Ari character, possibly as a ghost. This is typically done so that characters can reckon with their histories, but could also underscore Ari’s importance to NCIS‘ wider story.

Kate Todd’s Death Also Facilitated Ziva’s Introduction

Sadly, Kate Also Had To Die

While Ari’s death was necessary for Ziva to gain Gibbs’ trust and for her to ultimately join the team, Kate’s death was also crucial. Ari shot Kate in the head in season 2, episode 23, “Twilight.” The original MCRT member was paramount to the NCIS series in seasons 1 and 2; replacing her had to be done with intention. Bringing in Ziva David, who was inherently involved in Ari’s life and responsible for his death, was arguably one of the few characters who would have worked in that role. It was meaningful to tie Ziva’s origins to Kate’s death.

A scene in season 3, episode 4, “Silver War,” demonstrates that Ziva understands the weight of the role she is filling. At the episode’s onset, Ziva sits at Kate’s desk, and Gibbs demands that she move. She obliges him. At the episode’s conclusion, Ziva sits at Kate’s desk again, and Gibbs does not ask her to move a second time. Ziva brings over Kate’s sketchbook, suggesting that she would have wanted Gibbs to have it. It’s a quiet yet pronounced moment that signifies Ziva understands the role she’s taking on and respects Kate’s legacy.

Ultimately, Kate and Ari had to die for Ziva to join the team, and it was one of the most natural transitions in NCIS history. Other memorable ones include Mark Harmon’s NCIS exit in season 19 when a chase leads Gibbs to Alaska, and he decides to stay there. Michael Weatherly’s departure was also expertly told in season 13 when he learns he and Ziva share a child and leaves to raise her. The key to the show’s longevity is the meaningful transitions audiences can invest in. Ziva’s was successful; today, she remains one of the most beloved NCIS characters.