I Watched NCIS: Tony And Ziva’s First Three Episodes Without Being A Fan Of The Original Show, And The Chemistry Has Me Hooked

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Tony & Ziva. This show will bring the long-awaited on-screen reunion of these characters that fans have been excited about for years. While I wasn’t familiar with their storyline beyond noticing people shipping “Tiva” online and occasionally catching an episode of the original series.

To put it simply, I hadn’t been a supporter of Tony & Ziva from the original series, but hearing so much talk about it made me eager to find out what the fuss was. I watched the first three episodes, which will be available on launch day, September 4th, and I must admit that those who love Tiva were absolutely right!

What NCIS: Tony & Ziva Is About For Newcomers

A dedicated fan of NCIS might seize this moment to provide a summary of the complex past relationship between Tony and Ziva throughout their time on the original series. However, I’m unable to do that here, but let me tell you that the narrative resumes years following Tony and Ziva’s reunion after NCIS, which essentially sets up a fresh canvas.

For beginners, it’s important to know they’ve been sharing parental responsibilities for their young daughter Tali, despite not being in a romantic relationship. The story starts when Tony’s security firm is under attack, requiring them to utilize their past skills from law enforcement to solve the case and grow closer along the way. The first trailer effectively establishes their background, making it seem that you can follow the plot without having to watch multiple previous seasons.

As a movie enthusiast eagerly awaiting the premiere, I’m relieved to find out that the new NCIS spin-off doesn’t dive straight into Tony and Ziva’s relationship. Instead, it sets up an intriguing will they/won’t they dynamic for viewers like me who are just joining the series. Moreover, the trailer presents a refreshingly distinct vibe from the original NCIS, hinting at a more suspenseful spy thriller genre rather than the typical network television procedural.

Additionally, airing on Paramount+ potentially allows for some flexibility in language, possibly allowing original CBS characters to use stronger language in the streaming series. If Law & Order: Organized Crime can do it upon moving from NBC to Peacock, then why not this NCIS spinoff on Paramount+?

Although I understand that the creator meant for the pairing of Tony and Ziva to be engaging both for new viewers as well as loyal fans, I must admit I harbored some reservations about diving headfirst into their seemingly significant relationship within the franchise without having a more comprehensive background beyond what I gleaned from CBS broadcasts and casual social media interactions.

What Worked For Me As A Non-NCIS Fan

It turns out that, much like anticipated, there are some references to NCIS that I was familiar enough with to identify, but they likely hold far greater appeal to devotees of the series. The thrilling exploits of Tony and Ziva manage to keep me engaged, and it’s apparent that filming in Budapest allowed the show to take full advantage of its stunning backdrop. Remarkably, CBS’ FBI: International has demonstrated that Hungary’s city can effectively stand in for other locales as necessary. Unfortunately, the cancellation of FBI: International probably means I won’t get my fervent hope for a crossover between it and Tony & Ziva fulfilled.

If we ignore the unique dynamic between Tony and Ziva and concentrate only on what can be scripted, shot on location, and staged as an action sequence, the first three episodes of the new show are enjoyable enough to spend a few hours with. However, taking that chemistry into account, I didn’t feel lost or out of my element, even though I’m not well-versed in the world of NCIS.

As a devoted movie critic, I can confidently say that the latest installment of this action series truly shines by focusing on the main characters who aren’t entangled in romantic relationships. This fresh approach offers a compelling reason to cheer them on beyond the usual doses of car chases, explosions, and high-speed races through exotic locales. It may seem like a bold choice, but it adds depth and complexity to the narrative, much like how The X-Files successfully handled this dynamic during its revival.

The show effectively leverages the actors’ camaraderie without forcing it, ensuring it doesn’t feel unnatural that the characters aren’t paired up from the beginning. I often ponder if I would have appreciated their chemistry as swiftly as I did without being part of the dedicated Tiva fanbase. However, it managed to captivate me, making me eager to watch at least one more episode. In essence, a decent series opener that could have been just average, turned out to be intriguing for me.

Do I Recommend Tony & Ziva To Newcomers?

Given all that’s been mentioned, would it be worth giving “NCIS: Tony & Ziva” a try for those new to the series? If you appreciate a weekly-released serialized crime story and are fond of shows similar to “FBI: International“, then this show might appeal to you.

In simpler terms, I found myself quite entertained by the storyline, not needing to know every detail about Tiva’s past. The chemistry between the leads was captivating, and I must admit, I appreciate the hint of romantic tension in a show that primarily focuses on other aspects. It’s intriguing to wonder if their relationship went beyond friendship at some point, given that they have a daughter together, even though it seems they may have temporarily resolved their romantic issues in the past.

It seems to me that releasing episodes on a weekly basis could be advantageous, as I found myself eager enough to watch all three back-to-back, but not yet fully invested for the next seven episodes right away. If you’re contemplating, perhaps you might want to check out the trailer below before making your decision:

Weekly episode releases could potentially be beneficial, as I was intrigued enough to watch all three episodes straight away, but not quite captivated enough to dive into the next seven immediately. If you’re unsure, you might want to take a look at the trailer below for more insight:

As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to share that the first three episodes of the much-anticipated spin-off, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, make their debut on Thursday, September 4. After that, a fresh episode will drop each week right up until the end of October!

If you’re still on the fence and want to dive deeper into the original series for a richer Tony & Ziva experience, don’t worry-you can find every single episode of the OG series on Paramount’s streamer. Enjoy the ride!

I’m eager to find out if the original NCIS series will pay tribute to Tony and Ziva when it returns to CBS in October. I might even reach out to TopMob’s NCIS expert about this topic next month!

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2025-09-04 00:15