NCIS Cast

In one of its most dramatic moments, NCIS: Tony & Ziva episode 8 reveals the scrapped NCIS reunion that would have brought together the show’s best characters. As the NCIS franchise’s first streaming show tackles its final stretch, Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo’s star-crossed lovers are close to clearing their name in Europe.

What started as seemingly a simple misunderstanding has snowballed into a dangerous crisis that even threatened the life of Tali. Despite the risk, forcing Tony and Ziva to spend time with each other also allows them to re-examine their relationship. Clearly, the pair still loves each other, but their circumstances pull them apart, as revealed in the usually emotional flashbacks.

The non-linear storytelling in NCIS: Tony & Ziva makes the narrative more interesting, as it reveals pertinent details of their reunion and eventual break-up. However, “Fire Sale” reveals something about the couple that is related to the bigger universe, particularly the flagship series.

Tony & Ziva’s Wedding Was Almost The Perfect NCIS Reunion Event

Bishop, Torres, Gibbs, and Vance standing in the bullpen on NCIS

After getting engaged in the past, Tony and Ziva went as far as planning their wedding before they eventually decided to part ways. In NCIS: Tony & Ziva episode 8’s flashback, the couple is seen discussing the specifics of their celebration, with Tony writing down what could have been their guest list.

Wanting to surround himself with family and close friends, Tony noted down almost everyone that they worked with in NCIS. He even included McGee’s wife and kids — Delilah, Johnny, and Morgan, respectively. Check out the full list below:

The wedding could have been the easiest way to stage a proper NCIS reunion with the majority of the show’s longest-serving characters. For context, the flashback was set in 2020. That was before Bishop left MCRT and Gibbs retired in NCIS season 19. Interestingly, however, Ducky wasn’t part of the guest list.

How The Grand NCIS Reunion Can Still Happen After Tony & Ziva

Ziva (Cote de Pablo) and Tony (Michael Weatherly) smile at one another in NCIS: Tony & Ziva Episode 4 Image via Paramount+

The events of NCIS: Tony & Ziva are setting up its titular character’s eventual reconciliation. Hopefully, this time, it’s all for the long haul. That said, it means that when they finally get to revisit their wedding plans, Ziva would have already changed her mind about inviting her old co-workers at Navy Yard. After all, she has been working hard to better manage her panic attacks.

Admittedly, Tony and Ziva’s packed wedding would have been perfect for NCIS‘ 1000th overall episode. The great thing is that there’s another milestone in the flagship’s horizon that would appropriately tackle the festivities — its 500th outing. Ahead of the new year, the mothership currently sits at having released 487 episodes.

It may be trickier to gather everyone on the list, but it offers CBS a narrative opening to pay off years of Tony and Ziva set-up while also staging its most nostalgic offering in years. Based on the timeline, this can happen this TV cycles, and will be in the main show than in NCIS: Tony & Ziva.