Yes. At San Diego Comic‑Con 2025, Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo revealed a private hand‑signal tribute to Mark Harmon’s iconic Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the new NCIS: Tony & Ziva spin‑off. What started as a subtle gesture in a past NCIS episode has become a coded sign they now use whenever the two reconnect—no matter the city or continent HELLO!+9EW.com+9Reddit+9.
🎥 Behind the Tribute: How It Happened
The Exclusive Hand Gesture
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During the Comic‑Con preview, after screening the pilot’s first ten minutes, Brian Dietzen asked Weatherly and de Pablo what a certain gesture meant.
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In unison, they said: “Mark Harmon.”
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The gesture: arms raised, fists curled, thumbs swiveling like knocking on a door—a callback to Gibbs’s own cue from an on‑screen scene. The actors shared it was a private continuity nod they’ve been using ever sinceEW.com+15EW.com+15HELLO!+15.\The Story Behind the Gesture
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This silent “Gibbs knock” first appeared in a NCIS episode where Gibbs communicated with them while on a school bus. Harmon apparently thought nobody would notice—and that moment stuck.
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Now, every time Cote or Michael do the gesture—even across the world—they know it’s a tribute to Gibbs. It’s their secret handshake, immortalizing Harmon’s influence Screen Rant+13EW.com+13HELLO!+13.
🌟 Why the Tribute Matters
Keeping Gibbs’s Legacy Alive
Mark Harmon left NCIS in 2021 after 18 seasons. Though he doesn’t appear in Tony & Ziva, his character’s spirit lives on—not only in the prequel NCIS: Origins, but also in these hidden moments New York Post+15HELLO!+15EW.com+15.
A Touch of Emotional Continuity
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Tony and Ziva’s characters were deeply shaped by their loyalty to Gibbs.
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This quiet homage is a reminder to fans that their story is still part of the wider NCIS universe.
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It reinforces that Tony & Ziva carry more than just their own legacy—they carry his ethos forward.
📅 Overview: NCIS: Tony & Ziva
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Premieres on Paramount+ on September 4, 2025, with the first three episodes dropping that day, followed by weekly releases until October 23 EW.comScreen Rant+9Good Housekeeping+9EW.com+9.
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The series follows Tony and Ziva raising daughter Tali in Europe when they’re framed in a cyberattack, forcing them on the run across the continent amid romance, intrigue, and emotional stakesWikipedia+13EW.com+13EW.com+13.
📌 Takeaways
| Point | Insight |
|---|---|
| Hand Signal | A private gesture referencing Gibbs’s style of communication. |
| Meaning | A heartfelt tribute to Mark Harmon, quietly acknowledged between Tony & Ziva. |
| Symbolism | Keeps Gibbs’s presence alive without his physical return. |
| Fan Service | A subtle but meaningful easter egg for long-time viewers. |
🎭 Final Thoughts
It’s a small moment with big meaning. In a franchise rooted in legacy and loyalty, this secret gesture ensures the soul of Gibbs remains alive—even in his physical absence.
So yes: Weatherly and de Pablo did confirm that hidden tribute. It’s subtle, heartfelt, and perfect for fans who know where to look.
❓ FAQs
1. Does Mark Harmon appear in Tony & Ziva season 1?
No. While he doesn’t appear on screen in season 1, the show honors his character’s legacy through gestures and story references EW.com+14EW.com+14HELLO!+14.
2. What exactly is the hand gesture?
It’s raised arms, curled fists rotating like knocking. It first came up in a bus scene years ago—and now serves as Tony/Ziva’s tribute code for Gibbs HELLO!.
3. Where was this revealed?
At San Diego Comic‑Con 2025, when the pilot’s opening was screened and the gesture revealed in conversation with Brian Dietzen and the showrunner EW.com+5EW.com+5HELLO!+5.
4. When does NCIS: Tony & Ziva debut?
September 4, 2025, on Paramount+. The first three episodes stream at launch, followed by weekly releases until October 23HELLO!+6Good Housekeeping+6EW.com+6.
5. Will Gibbs appear in future seasons?
No confirmation yet. This gesture is a tribute without physical presence. Future crossovers have been teased, but no cameo is confirmed.
