13 NCIS Episodes to Rewatch Before the Tiva-Centered Spinoff

2024 is already a very exciting and important year in the history of NCIS. Not only will the franchise celebrate a huge milestone of 1000 episodes across all series ever released under the title, but it also had some great gifts for long-time viewers. The spinoff around the fan-favorite OG-couple Ziva and DiNozzo is definitely one of them.

The new show will start in Paris, where Tony, Ziva and their child were reunited in the 17th season of NCIS. However, their story began all the way back in season 3, and it may take a while to refresh your memories.

If you don't have time to rewatch about 15 years of content, here are 13 key episodes in the history of Tony and Ziva's relationship to give you a general idea of what led to them ending up in Paris.

Kill Ari (S3E1 & S3E2)

This two-part episode was the beginning of the most endearing NCIS romance of all time. The introductory episodes of Mossad officer Ziva David, who later became one of the show's main characters, will forever be among the most nostalgic for all NCIS fans. And it was pretty obvious that DiNozzo already had his eye on her.

Under Covers (S3E8)

It didn't take long for NCIS to put Tony and Ziva together on the undercover assignment where they had to prepare to be a married couple. Now we know it was a pretty funny foreshadowing of the couple's future.

When the episode first aired, however, it was just another fun look at the duo's chemistry and countless bickering, with the nice addition of their first (very fake) kiss.

Semper Fidelis & Aliyah (S6E24 & S6E25)

For years, Ziva and Tony's relationship status remained undisclosed and unspecified, but it was obvious they had something more than a friendship or partnership. That trust was broken, however, when Ziva's boyfriend, Mossad officer Michael Rivkin, killed suspects instead of interrogating them, and Tony began investigating him.

In the tragic events of the season 6 finale, Tony killed Michael and Ziva left NCIS to work for the Mossad in Somalia. The couple ended up further apart than ever before.

Truth Or Consequences (S7E1)

Fortunately, the NCIS writers didn't tease viewers for long after the show returned. In the very first episode, Gibbs, DiNozzo, and McGee all go to avenge Ziva, who is believed to have been killed in Somali captivity. "Couldn't live without you," Tony admits when he finds her alive, and that line stays with them until the end of the show.

Jet Lag (S7E13)

This is the very first time that Tony and Ziva go to Paris together, but as we all know now, it definitely won't be the last. The city of love only added to the tension and viewers got to enjoy Tiva sharing a room with neither of them sleeping on the couch. The rest is history and it is definitely up to your imagination to fill in the gaps.

Shabbat Shalom & Shiva (S10E11 & S10E12)

Though there has always been romantic tension between the two of them, it's the friendship that lies as the foundation of love. Tony was there for Ziva when she was devastated by the news of her father's sudden death, and he made sure she didn't feel lonely by letting her into his apartment and whispering, "You're not alone" as a goodbye.

Past, Present And Future (S11E2)

To say that this episode broke a lot of viewers' hearts would be an understatement. It was supposed to be Ziva's official exit from NCIS, as she refused to return to the life of a special agent and finally turned DiNozzo down.

Even a kiss, the second on screen and the first without any undercover work going on, couldn't sweeten the moment when the two lovers let each other go.

Family First (S13E24)

It was two years later when NCIS also said goodbye to Tony DiNozzo. Although Ziva didn't appear in person, she was a major part of the episode, as after her supposed death, the team found out that she had a child in Israel... and you already know who the father is. This episode unintentionally kicked off the upcoming spinoff.

The North Pole &'In the Wind (S17E10 & S17E11)

This two-parter finally gave the Ziva storyline on NCIS the satisfying conclusion that viewers had been begging for.

Ziva turned out to be alive and fighting the terrorist who threatened her family, but as soon as that fight was over, she reunited with Tony and their daughter Tali in Paris, who played such an important role in her story. Little did we know that this was just the beginning and there is a whole new show ahead!