Ziva’s NCIS Season 21 Return Can Do What Tony’s Ducky Tribute Cameo Couldn’t

NCIS season 21’s potential Cote de Pablo’s return as Ziva David could accomplish one thing that Michael Weatherly’s cameo as Tony DiNozzo failed to do. The tribute episode for Ducky Mallard in NCIS brought in all kinds of theories about former cast members coming back to pay tribute to the beloved medical examiner-turned-historian. Admittedly, Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs was the easy favorite, considering his long-time friendship with Dr. Mallard — something that was properly established in NCIS. Unfortunately, the special send-off for Ducky wasn’t a big reason to get Gibbs out of retirement in Alaska and recruit Harmon to return.

It turns out that Gibbs’ NCIS season 21 absence was a blessing in disguise for a couple of reasons. For starters, it allows the show to bring back the character for a more substantial appearance moving forward. While it would have been great to see him pay tribute to Ducky in his way, it was more characteristic of him to honor his late friend in his way while in Alaska. Secondly, it paved the way for Weatherly’s return as Tony in NCIS. Moving forward, however, the police procedural may be looking to bring Ziva back for a better cameo.

Ziva’s Potential NCIS Season 21 Return Explained

de Pablo’s NCIS return may happen before NCIS: Europe.

Weatherly’s return to NCIS birthed several theories about his potential full-time comeback to the show. Apparently, Paramount+ was planning a much bigger future for the character after it was announced that Tony DiNiozzo and Ziva David would spearhead a new NCIS spinoff, tentatively titled NCIS: Europe. Specific plot details about the project are still being kept tightly under wraps, with no other casting announced aside from its lead stars. That being said, it has been confirmed that the new show will see Tony and Ziva on the run across Europe with their daughter, Tali.

Weatherly has been indulging fans on social media by answering their queries without revealing too much. In an Instagram Live session, he seemingly revealed that before appearing in the spinoff, de Pablo will appear in NCIS season 21. The announcement came while Jimmy Palmer actor Brian Dietzen was participating, with Weatherly saying that his former co-stars are going to reunite on screen soon. It doesn’t seem like he will be involved with it, which insinuates that it won’t be in NCIS: Europe, leaving the mothership show to be the only remaining plausible option.

Why Ziva’s Return Can Set Up NCIS: Europe (When Tony’s Couldn’t)

Tony returned for Ducky’s NCIS tribute episode.

Regardless of the details about Ziva’s NCIS season 21 comeback, her appearance can accomplish something that Tony’s cameo was unable to — properly lay the foundation for NCIS: Europe. Weatherly’s appearance in Ducky’s tribute episode, “The Stories We Leave Behind,” was towards the end. In fact, his interaction with Palmer and Timothy McGee was the parting scene of the show. Before that, there was no indication whatsoever that he was going to pop out for a last-minute involvement. Weatherly’s character was chosen because of Tony’s friendship with Palmer, who was struggling with the passing of his mentor.

There are two big reasons why Tony’s NCIS season 21 return wasn’t able to set up NCIS: Europe. For starters, the spinoff still hadn’t been announced when Weatherly reprised his fan-favorite role. While there were hopes that his comeback would signal a bigger plot involving him in the future, there was no clue whatsoever that Paramount+ was working on a Ziva and Tony NCIS offshoot. When he popped up, the focus was on him to console Palmer and help him get through Ducky eulogy. There was simply no more time to discuss anything other than what was happening.

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, the episode was about honoring Ducky and his legacy in the show. Tony stopped by because he wanted to pay tribute to the beloved character and join the team in their grief, especially since he worked closely with the late ME for years. It would have been disrespectful if NCIS used the outing to plant plot seeds for its next expansion series. “The Stories We Left Behind” needed to stick to its narrative goal to come up with a well-deserved send-off for the police procedural’s last remaining original character.

How Ziva’s NCIS Season 21 Appearance Can Set Up NCIS: Europe

The NCIS franchise is not new to backdoor pilots.

The NCIS franchise has a penchant for backdoor pilots, with the main series hosting a couple of ones. This time, it can do the same for Tony and Ziva’s NCIS spinoff, which shouldn’t be that difficult, considering the pair’s history working at the Washington DC headquarters. Throughout their shared time working under Gibbs, the pair collaborated with McGee, Palmer, and Director Leon Vance. Because of their respective returns, they are also both acquainted with the new members of the team. As members of the best NCIS team iteration, seeing them get involved in the mothership will always be a treat.

DiNozzo dropped some clues about his and Ziva’s situation, which checks out with the established premise of NCIS: Europe. That being said, Ziva can better explain what is happening when she reunites with his old cohorts in the DMV. This not only lays out the story for the upcoming offshoot, it also helps disseminate information that the universe is once again expanding. This is particularly important, considering the change of platform for the offshoot. Unlike ongoing NCIS shows airing on CBS, NCIS: Europe will stream on Paramount+.

Will Tony Appear in Ziva’s NCIS Season 21 Return?

Weatherly doesn’t indicate whether he is involved.

Both Weatherly and de Pablo have already returned in NCIS since they left the show, albeit respectively. The pair still hasn’t shared the screen as Tony and Ziva since the latter exited the police procedural. So, as exciting as seeing her team up with the likes of McGee and Palmer, it would be better if Ziva’s NCIS season 21 comeback also involves Tony. Unfortunately, that may not be on the table. Weatherly’s Instagram Live didn’t give any indication that he is involved with the secret project of Dietzen and de Pablo.

In terms of narrative, it also makes better sense that Ziva returns in NCIS season 21 on her own. Considering their predicament in NCIS: Europe, it may be safer for the family of three to be separated, with Tony keeping an eye on Tali while her mom is away. Going this creative route also sets up a much better pilot for their NCIS series, since Tony and Ziva’s first on-screen appearance after a decade will come to fruition in their headlining project.