NCIS: Tony & Ziva’s episode count is definitely frustrating coming from those who are used to the flagship’s output, but believe me, it’s actually a blessing in disguise. Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo are set to reunite on the screen since they said goodbye to each other in “Past, Present, and Future.” Both have returned to NCIS, albeit separately.
Admittedly, when both Weatherly and de Pablo left the police procedural, there was an understanding that it was the end of their story. However, thanks to the enduring popularity of the characters, NCIS: Tony & Ziva’s story will continue. However, instead of being on CBS, like the rest of the NCIS franchise, it will be on streaming and have fewer episodes.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva Having Fewer Episodes Means There Won’t Be FIllers
There Really Is No Room For Filler Episodes In NCIS: Tony & Ziva
There have been a couple of firsts in the enduring universe since Mark Harmon retired as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS season 19. NCIS: Sydney became the its first international spinoff, followed by NCIS: Origins being its first period show. Meanwhile, NCIS: Tony & Ziva will be its first Paramount+ exclusive project.
…one drawback with shows moving from traditional broadcasting to streaming is the significantly fewer episodes.
Being on a streaming service allows Weatherly and de Pablo’s show to be more different than other shows in the franchise. For starters, it can be darker in tone and can even feature mature language. That said, one drawback with shows moving from traditional broadcasting to streaming is the significantly fewer episodes.
Instead of the usual NCIS output of 18-22 episodes per season, NCIS: Tony & Ziva season 1 will only have 10. That may sound like a bad thing, but under these circumstances, it means that the show will not have the usually dreaded filler outings.
No Filler Episodes Can Fasttrack NCIS: Tony & Ziva’s Promised Payoff
Tony & Ziva Are Still Not Officially Together
Filler episodes have their appeal, and in a world of increasingly short seasons, some streaming shows could definitely use them. In terms of NCIS: Tony & Ziva, however, not having them is far better. This way, the story can stay compact, which means that the process of finally paying off their years of slow burn in the flagship can be faster.
Despite seemingly being together in Paris, the NCIS: Tony & Ziva trailer reveals that they are not officially a couple. It’s something that Tony cautiously addresses in the promo clip, which means that the pattern of push-and-pull between them will likely continue. The dynamic was fun and engaging back in NCIS, but it can quickly become frustrating now.
The will-they/won’t-they plot was fun for the fan-favorite couple. However, Tony and Ziva are now full adults — with a daughter to raise. It’s time that they sit down and properly talk about their status. With just 10 episodes, NCIS: Tony & Ziva can’t delay it further.
