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Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo turned on the lights at Comic-Con with NCIS: Tony and Ziva, which premiered September 4 on Paramount+. The 10-episode thriller is set in Europe and premiered weekly on Thursdays. Fans are formally counting down to romance, peril, and ancient fire. Check out exclusive clips from Paramount+CA on Instagram,
Tony and Ziva have been among the most popular couples on the show. Their lives were filled with risk, love, loss, and loyalty. They have evolved to be more than mere partners to fans over the span of many years. As the spin-off approaches, it is crucial to revisit the episodes that have influenced its narrative. These stories show how they learned to trust each other, faced familial obstacles, and risked everything to stay together. Simply viewing these nine pivotal episodes will make the new spinoff seem more poignant and significant since it connects Tony and Ziva's future with the history of NCIS.
Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.
These are the 9 NCIS episodes you need to watch ahead of the spin-off Tony & Ziva’s premiere on Paramount+:
9. Past, Present, and Future
In Season 11, Episode 2, Tony searches Israel and overseas for Ziva as the team searches for terrorist involvement at home. Their reunion is swift but authentic, and it explains why Ziva departs on her journey and why Tony returns home alone. The episode has an IMDb rating of 8.6 out of 10. In short, the episode offers emotional closure without breaking their relationship. A question was asked of a viewer of this episode in "TV Fanatic Stuff" about a favorite scene. The viewer said,
"For me, it was the scene at the airport. I’m a romantic softie at heart, so seeing that bittersweet moment between Ziva and Tony resonated."
You must see it before the spin-off since it establishes the schism that the next series must mend and demonstrates the trust that still governs them. This background makes their behavior as parents in Europe justified and understandable.
8. Berlin
In Season 10, Episode 21, fans might have noticed Tony and Ziva follow the Ilan Bodnar trail from DC to Germany while Vance weighs vengeance and duty. The tension leads to a tender dance, then a brutal car crash that resets the hunt. The episode has an IMDb rating of 8.1 out of 10. An IMDb review praises it as one of the best Tiva moments, with danger and romance perfectly mixed. Another one said,
"Love NCIS, doesn't matter if it is an older show or not best show ever."
The Berlin episode depicts how a collaboration evolves into something more. You should watch it before the spin-off since it reveals the trust and affection on which the spin-off is based, as well as the Mossad politics that continue to affect their lives abroad. NCIS's history in Berlin explains their instincts as a couple under fire.
7. Daughters
In Season 16, Episode 24, Gibbs helped Fornell after Emily was injured by opioids, prompting him to confront his past due to visions of Diane. In the final moments, Ziva stepped out of the shadows to warn Gibbs that he was in danger and that the NCIS world had changed. The episode has an IMDb rating of 8.1 out of 10. An IMDb user said,
"Enjoyed the season finale immensely, and was floored by the revelation in the final scene. Hopefully, the return is made permanent in Season 17."
You should watch it before the spin-off, as it validates Ziva's survival and highlights the threats that follow the family to Europe, as the spin-off unfolds. It links the current chapter with Tony, Ziva, and Tali to the original NCIS.
6. Semper Fidelis
We have seen a murder in Season 6, Episode 24. The murder occurred during a poker game, for the Secretary of the Navy pulls NCIS into a larger spy web. Gibbs collaborates with the FBI and ICE as Mossad ties grow around Ziva, laying the groundwork for Aliyah. The episode has an IMDb rating of 8.3 out of 10. One of the viewers said,
"I was in two minds about this episode going into it. On the one hand, Fornell was in it, and I love Fornell and his interaction with Gibbs, so that was a positive thing."
You should watch it before the spin-off, because it emphasizes their story of duty, loyalty, and the Israeli thread that still influences their fate. Knowing this foundation helps the spinoff feel richer and more grounded.
5. Shiva
Season 10, Episode 12 follows the aftermath of Ziva’s father Eli David being killed in a bombing and how she deals with grief and loyalty. Tony stays by her side, showing comfort in her darkest moment, while the team investigates who is behind the attack. The episode has an IMDb rating of 8.6 out of 10.
One viewer wrote that the story was heartbreaking and beautifully acted, and showed the bond between Tony and Ziva like never before. In short, it shows the emotional depth that defines their trust. You need to watch this before the spin-off because it explains Ziva’s pain, her ties to Mossad, and how Tony becomes her anchor. This shared loss helps explain their later choices and why family and safety become the core of their story in the new series.
4. Truth or Consequences
The NCIS Season 7 opener shows Tony and McGee risking everything to save Ziva, who has been kidnapped in North Africa. We discover that she had been working undercover after leaving NCIS, and her reunion with Tony highlights the couple's affection. An IMDb user said,
"The Best NCIS Episode. It had everything. Drama. Emotions. Tears. Sarcasm. Made me laugh out loud. Made me feel alive. Like truly alive."
With an IMDb rating of 9.1 out of 10, the episode should be watched before the spin-off, as it establishes their bond under fire and indicates that apart, they will risk anything for each other. This friendship for the pair continues into the spinoff, where risk and family are once again at the forefront.
3. Boxed In
In Season 3, Episode 12, viewers saw that Tony and Ziva were trapped in a shipping container while investigating arms smuggling and must rely on each other to survive. The time in close quarters creates lighthearted and tense moments that deepen their connection. The episode has an IMDb rating of 7.9 out of 10.
You should watch this before the spin-off since it explains the origins of their chemistry, which eventually leads to love and family. Their teamwork in dangerous situations makes the spin-off richer when we see them face new risks as parents and partners abroad.
2. Under Covers
In Season 3 Episode 8, Tony and Ziva go undercover as a married couple to catch assassins, which puts them in personal and perilous situations. The job breaches the barriers between work and feelings, igniting chemistry that fans continue to discuss. The episode has an IMDb rating of 8.5 out of 10. One viewer stated,
"This was a great episode. It showed off and took advantage of the great chemistry between Weatherly and de Pablo."
You need to watch this before the spin-off because it shows the first time the two acted like a couple and proved their natural connection. This early spark makes their later romance believable and helps the spinoff feel like the natural continuation of their story.
1. Hiatus Part II
In Season 3, Episode 24, Gibbs is seriously injured and finds himself reliving his memories. Meanwhile, Tony steps up to lead the team in this challenging situation. Ziva shows her devotion to Gibbs throughout the episode, but she also becomes closer to Tony as he demonstrates his leadership skills. The series has an IMDb score of 8.6 out of 10. An IMDb user said,
"It is such an important backstory that they made an entire series to expand on those events and take up his story from there, before the first NCIS episode."
This must be seen before the spin-off, as it illustrates Ziva's faith in Tony and his development as a guardian. This creates the foundation for Tony and Ziva's friendship in the subsequent spinoff, in which they face even greater obstacles together.
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The article concludes that these nine episodes provided a vivid idea of the way the relationship between Tony and Ziva unfolded in NCIS. The audience had already watched their teamwork, teasing, heartbreaking setbacks, and life-changing decisions. Individual episodes were an addition to their relationship that would subsequently justify their preference for family and security over everything.
The viewers of these stories again were conditioned to learn more about their struggles and happiness in NCIS: Tony and Ziva (2025). These moments were the foundation of the spinoff, and without them, the new chapter would not have been so complete and tied to the show's legacy.
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