The fall is an exciting time for NCIS fans, as the new spinoff series, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, debuts. We’ll finally get to see Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo back together on our screens, giving us a look at where Tony and Ziva now are as a couple.
The series is more than just another spinoff in the NCIS universe, though, as it has a chance to do something that no other franchise spinoff has done and that few spinoffs do, period. With a focus on past characters from NCIS, the NCIS: Tony & Ziva spinoff opens the door to old fans returning to the franchise, and this can help the flagship series.
While NCIS: Tony & Ziva season 1 is in a unique position, it needs to tread carefully. After all, its own story still needs to be a standalone adventure, and any NCIS: Tony & Ziva crossovers need to make sense.
NCIS Has Seen Declining Ratings Over The Past Few Seasons For Several Reasons
Losing The Original Cast Hasn’t Been Good For The Flagship Series
It’s normal for a long-running TV series to lose its audience, so the linear ratings seeing a drop aren’t a major concern. However, it’s important to look at why the ratings have dropped and to see if there is a way to fix this. One reason is that CBS moved NCIS to Monday nights, airing it after an hour block of comedy shows and pitting it against Monday Night Football.
On top of that, various characters have left the series, and with the passing of David McCallum, there are now no original main cast members of the series left, and Sean Murray’s Timothy McGee is the only one who remains from season 1 at all. The loss of so many fan-favorite characters has left the show without the charismatic dynamics it once enjoyed, and viewers have dropped off.
Tony & Ziva’s Return In The Spinoff Brings Two Of Those Beloved Characters Back
There Have Been Many Calls For Characters To Return
As more and more of the original cast have left, we’ve asked time and time again for some of them to come back. This hasn’t always happened, as the characters have died in the story or the actors have made it clear they have no interest in returning. However, with Tony and Ziva, there’s a new possibility.
When Ziva returned in NCIS season 18, we were ecstatic, especially as it confirmed a long-believed theory that she didn’t die. Then Tony returned for the beautiful tribute episode to Ducky, and while we would have loved to see Gibbs, Tony made the most sense for Palmer.
Now NCIS: Tony & Ziva has a chance to continue the returns. While they have their own series, it is possible to see them return to the flagship show. Even if not, we can hear about them, helping to reignite interest in the original series.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva Can Invert The General Rule Of Spinoffs Relying On The Original For Their Success
The New NCIS Spinoff Isn’t Relying On The Current NCIS Audience
The reality is that most spinoffs rely on the strength of the original series, and many require a boost from their flagships to get audiences invested, whether it’s cameos from original cast members or storylines that span both shows. Ideally, a spinoff can stand on its own, but, sadly, that’s usually not the case.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva, though, can instead have the opposite impact, reigniting interest in the flagship NCIS show with potential cameos. Fans who fell off may be more inclined to return now that two beloved characters are back in the wider franchise. It’s a unique position to be in, and it shows just how passionate the original fanbase is.
Now, NCIS: Tony & Ziva and NCIS season 23 will need to make the most of this intriguing position, as long as it makes sense for the two shows.
