NCIS has been preparing fans for the departure of very special Agent Tony DiNozzo played by Michael Weatherly, but there was nothing they could do to prepare fans for everything that happened during his farewell episode.
**This post contains spoilers for the season finale of NCIS.
Michel Weatherly was brilliant in his final turn as Anthony DiNozzo. This episode was filled with emotion and each character had a moment with DiNozzo to pay proper farewell. I especially liked that Robert Wagner returned as DiNozzo Sr. The interactions between Wagner and Weatherly were always some of the most fun scenes on NCIS. Tonight’s episode didn’t disappoint but it did show a different side of their relationship as Senior had to comfort DiNizzo in a time of terrible loss (we will get to this topic in a minute).
Michael Weatherly has been a staple of the show since the first episode which aired thirteen years ago. He has had many fantastic storylines but the Tony, Ziva years were some of the most beloved by fans. When Ziva made her exit fans were understandably sad but there was an open end to her exit, she was alive and people could hope for her to return at some point. It is not surprising that Tony’s exit would involve Ziva in some way. In fact, it would have felt wrong if it didn’t. I don’t think anyone was ready for how Ziva was used in this episode… and she was definitely used.
Ziva David, total bad ass of NCIS, was killed in order for Tony DiNozzo to have a reason to leave NCIS. Not only was she killed but she kept a secret child from Tony! There are so many things that are wrong with this plotline. Why did a very strong, competent female character have to die so that a male character could be emotionally tortured and make a life altering decision? The easy answer is; she didn’t. Several aspects of the story line could have remained the same — even Tony and Ziva’s baby. As a fan I feel emotionally manipulated and I can’t say I like it.
Luckily I wasn’t the only feeling raw from this turn of events. I find that if you question your reaction to something on one of your favorite shows, checking Twitter usually makes you feel better. Here are some of the tweets that best represent my feels.
What a STUPID decision. YOU DON'T KILL a LECACY CHARACTER OFF WHEN SHES OFF SCREEN #NCIS @NCIS_CBS
— Daniel Walker (@daangraff) May 18, 2016
It was emotional enough without the flashbacks. Thank you for that added sobbing session #ncis
— Jazi (@JPNCIS) May 18, 2016
Episode ended and I feel like Ziva is still alive and her and Dinozzo will live happily ever after. They better prove it later on. #NCIS
— Jason Smith (@smitty3120) May 18, 2016
Can't remember the last time I cried over the death of a character that hadn't been seen in years. #NCIS
— Terri Whisenhunt (@Auntie_TW) May 18, 2016
@NCIS_CBS has me feeling dead inside tonight. @M_Weatherly #NCIS #Ziva #DiNozzo ?
— Christopher Aucoin (@Chris_Aucoin) May 18, 2016
I know we don’t live in a perfect world and not everyone gets a happily ever after. There is just something that feels wrong about Ziva dying without a fight and keeping a daughter from Tony. In a way it was like saying goodbye to her all over again, but with the added bonus of having to say goodbye to Tony too. Michael Weatherly was fantastic in this episode, and part of the emotional response felt by fans was due to his performance. The moment between him, Gibbs, and DiNozzo Sr. was the ultimate in heartbreak.
Michael Weatherly did leave fans with this final tweet:
Thank you and I love you all- Cote is here with me now! pic.twitter.com/RsmWInjMSl
— Michael Weatherly (@M_Weatherly) May 18, 2016
I guess fans can pretend that this is how Tony and Ziva ended.