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Contains spoilers for “NCIS” Season 24, Episode 1 — “Wayward Son”
The “NCIS” franchise has continued to thrive despite Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ (Mark Harmon) Season 19 departure, and Season 24 opens with another major shake-up. Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) is back—and he has taken on an even bigger role as the new NCIS director following Gabriel LaRoche’s (Seamus Dever) disastrous tenure. LaRoche only got the opportunity in the first place because Tony, who was originally Director Leon Vance’s (Rocky Carroll) preferred successor, initially turned down the position.
Tony’s promotion suggests that he is here to stay, while “Wayward Son” also delivers welcome updates about the characters connected to the Paramount+ spin-off “NCIS: Tony & Ziva.” The episode reveals that Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) and the couple’s daughter, Tali (Isla Gie), are doing well in Boston. Ziva works at a language institute, while Tali attends boarding school. Viewers also learn that Boris Peskov (Maximilian Osinski), the hacker who created the 9.4 program central to the spin-off’s storyline, is now living in Marrakesh, Morocco.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva may have been canceled, but it’s still part of the franchise
Greg Gayne/CBS
“NCIS: Tony & Ziva” became one of the franchise’s shortest-lived series after being canceled following its first season, a decision that ultimately helped pave the way for Tony’s return to “NCIS.” With Director DiNozzo now serving as a regular and increasingly important presence, fans will be watching to see whether Ziva and Tali remain in Boston—or eventually make their way back to the flagship series.
The current fall season is shaping up to be an especially significant one for “NCIS” viewers, thanks to the return of several familiar faces. Weatherly’s comeback is a major development, but Harmon’s renewed involvement in “NCIS: Origins” is just as notable. The franchise veteran has expanded his narration duties and will once again appear on screen in Season 3. Future episodes may reveal whether more surprise returns are ahead, but bringing both Weatherly and Harmon back in on-screen roles is already a major win for the “NCIS” universe.