In the ever-evolving world of “NCIS,” the past often lingers in unexpected ways. In the latest episode titled “Gone Girls,” viewers find Jimmy Palmer, portrayed by Brian Dietzen, approaching Tim McGee, played by Sean Murray, with a tuxedo draped over his shoulder. Jimmy is on the hunt for a relic from their former colleague, Tony DiNozzo, portrayed by Michael Weatherly.

Jimmy is specifically interested in finding an old stash of shoe polish that Tony was known to keep hidden in a secret compartment of his desk. Since Tim took over Tony’s office furniture after his departure from NCIS, Jimmy hopes that some of Tony’s belongings might still be around. However, Tim disappoints him with the truth. “No, HR cleared that out years ago. All I have is some allergy medication and nasal spray,” McGee reveals, pausing before adding with a wry smile, “I’m not sure Tony would approve.”

While Tony may not be too concerned with McGee’s allergy remedies, he’s certainly preoccupied with his own life. As Tim and Jimmy dive into solving a mystery at a Gilbert and Sullivan-themed gala, organized by NCIS accountant Barbara’s community theater group, Tony is busy traveling the globe, ensuring the safety of his family.

Currently, the dynamic duo from “NCIS: Tony and Ziva” are engrossed in safeguarding their daughter Tali, played by Isla Gie, and maintaining global security. The stakes are high, but in the “NCIS” universe, that’s just another day on the job.

While everything is as copacetic as it’ll ever be in the “NCIS” world, the titular twosome on “NCIS: Tony and Ziva” have been working their fingers to the bone to keep their daughter Tali (Isla Gie) alive, as well as the world at large safe and sound. 

Though separated, Tony and Ziva (Cote de Pablo) have been living near each other in Paris and raising their daughter together — until a common enemy decides to steal intelligence that Tony had been hired to protect with his private security firm. They have to travel the globe to solve the mystery, with their daughter in the capable hands of her nanny and Interpol breathing down their necks, but in the end they triumph. They also manage to repair their romantic relationship along the way.

Interestingly, both Tim McGee and Jimmy Palmer show up on a guest list filled with the names of Tony and Ziva’s colleagues seen in a flashback during “Tony and Ziva.” The litany of familiar faces are part of an aborted wedding the pair never go through with. Perhaps in the future, they’ll actually pledge their troths together — but until then, it’s pretty obvious that the group is still bound together by the ties of friendship.