The explosive return of Ziva David to NCIS has lived up to fan expectations, and the three-episode arc that began with last year’s season finale wraps tonight…temporarily. (Watch for Ziva to show up again before the season ends.) Ziva’s mission to save Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and her daughter from suspected terrorist, Mira Sahar Azam (guest star Mouzam Makkar) drags her former NCIS teammates into a rogue investigation which takes an unexpected turn. Despite its unsanctioned genesis, the entire NCIS team is pulled into the operation as new friendships are forged and old relationships are augmented as they delve into Sahar and her possible connection to Ziva’s half-brother, the late Ari Haswari.
Returning cast member, Cote de Pablo, adds an interesting dynamic to the team. Her portrayal of Ziva struck a chord as a slightly older, somewhat wiser (and more jaded) woman in fear for the lives of her loved ones. The result has been intense and poignant, especially when she asked “father-figure” Gibbs why he never searched for her. The writers, directors and crew have done a wonderful job of integrating old and recent history seamlessly. The current cast plumbed each relationship with camaraderie and impressive depth, perhaps even in real life judging from the photo above of de Pablo and Wilmer Valderrama (“Nick Torres”) in deep discussion on the set. Still able to pull off the artillery and fight choreography, making both look effortless (which must be “anything but”), de Pablo brings an enhanced physicality to the canvas, reminiscent of NCIS: LOS ANGELES.
(New inspiration: How about NCIS: SAN DIEGO with David James Elliott, Cote de Pablo, Catherine Bell, Patrick Labyorteaux and occasional guest stints by Michael Weatherly, anyone?)
Whether the arc ends tonight or drives a storyline until de Pablo’s return later this season remains to be seen, but kudos to the cast and crew for a kickoff to another great season.
Other guest stars on tonight’s episode, “Into the Light,” are William O’Leary, Darri Ingolfsson, Rich Hutchman, Teddy Lane Jr., Paul Gregory and Cherie Jimenez. “Into the Light was written by Steven D. Binder and directed by Tony Wharmby.
NCIS airs tonight (October 1) at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS in the U.S. and on Global TV in Canada.
