Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo attended the New York Comic Con to share some of their insights about the new NCIS: Tony & Ziva and what they think the spinoff show has that its predecessors lack. Apart from creative liberty, Weatherly also said (via YouTube):
For us, in our procedural, there’s only so much time. We got to solve the crime. We got to, you know, investigate the emotions, which this show is so much about. We wanted to raise those stakes for the characters. We also wanted to do a little bit more with the action, which I think is pretty kick*ss.
The expansion of CBS’s long-running franchise aimed to focus on the complex relationship of Anthony DiNozzo and Ziva David, offering a different perspective than what fans have enjoyed before. If the original series focused on a team of special agents solving crimes, this one is more intimate and relatable for the viewers.
Tony & Ziva Thrive On Michael Weatherly’s Chemistry With Cote de Pablo
Fans are already familiar with Tony and Ziva from the original franchise, so there was no need for an introduction. What the show did was establish their relationship dynamics as the front and center of the story, all while co-parenting Tali.
The success of the pairing comes down to Weatherly and de Pablo’s onscreen chemistry. This isn’t something viewers see in the original NCIS show, and, like what the actress jokingly said in the interview above, they were able to explore the emotions of their characters through steamy scenes.
When asked about a love scene they did in Tony & Ziva, De Pablo said in another interview with TVLine that the idea finally took place after a very long wait:
It did happen, and it did happen in a rather romantic way, which had never been explored on the mothership.
Apart from very serious intimate scenes, Tony & Ziva also amped up its action level through several intense fight scenes.
What Fans Can Expect From The Penultimate Episode of Tony & Ziva
Entitled Ride or Die, the ninth episode of the spinoff series promises an action-packed storyline and will certainly pick up after the events in Episode 8. Previously, viewers witnessed Jonah’s betrayal of Martine, and if only she had listened to Ziva’s warning, she would have been spared the trouble.
Meanwhile, Claudette told Ziva about Tony’s plan to follow Jonah, but unfortunately, they had lost track of him. At this point, Jonah’s goal remains uncertain, but fans speculate that it might involve Graves facing a tragic fate, and when it happens, there’s a chance he might point fingers at Tony and Ziva.
Of course, the show could give the audience a shocking plot twist, so get prepared for the upcoming penultimate episode this Thursday, October 16!
NCIS: Tony & Ziva is currently streaming on Paramount+.
