‘NCIS’: What Did Tony Whisper in Ziva’s Ear?
NCIS fans will never forget the slow-burn romance between Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) and Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly). For eight seasons, the will they/won’t they tension kept building. But it wasn’t confirmed that anything actually happened between them until years after de Pablo left the series.
The couple social media dubbed #Tiva had some great moments during their time on the CBS procedural. One of the most memorable was an airport goodbye, where Tony whispered something special in Ziva’s ear.
‘NCIS’ fans met Ziva David in season 3
Weatherly was one of the original NCIS cast members when the series debuted in 2003. But fans didn’t meet de Pablo’s character until the beginning of season 3. After the shocking death of Agent Todd (Sasha Alexander), Ziva started working with NCIS as a liaison for the Israeli Mossad.
As the daughter of Mossad Director Eli David, Ziva’s NCIS tenure began after she killed her half-brother Ari in Gibbs’ (Mark Harmon) basement. Ari was the man who killed Agent Todd, and he was looking to take out Gibbs.
Ziva lost her father in season 10 of ‘NCIS’
Ziva fit in immediately when she joined Gibbs’ NCIS team. She even hit it off with Tony despite their many differences. He described his relationship with Ziva as “a connection”.
As the seasons progressed, Ziva became an official NCIS agent after she became an American citizen. Fans also got a glimpse into her complicated family history, as none of her immediate family members were alive except for her father.
However, in season 10, Ziva’s father was the victim of an attack in the episode titled “Shabbat Shalom.” When he died, Ziva flew his body back to Israel for burial. But before she left, Tony showed up to the airport to say goodbye.
What did Tony whisper in Ziva’s ear before she left for Israel?
When Tony showed up to see Ziva off, she told him that he didn’t have to come. He then assured her that everyone at NCIS would work to find the person responsible for her father’s death. But he knew that Ziva would seek her own revenge. “Don’t do this,” Tony tells Ziva.
“I’m going to a funeral, to deliver my father’s eulogy,” she responds. “He was not an easy man to understand, and yet…. Tony, I….”
When Ziva leans in for a hug she puts her head on his shoulder. Then Tony whispers into her ear “Aht lo leh-vahd,” which means “you are not alone” in Hebrew. “I know,” Ziva tells him before smiling and walking away.
Ziva left ‘NCIS’ just a few episodes later
Ziva lost her father during Season 10, Episode 11. And by season 11, she was gone. She officially left NCIS in Season 11, Episode 2 “Past, Present, and Future.” Once again, Ziva found herself with Tony at an airport for their goodbye, and fans finally got the kiss they’d been waiting for.
However, it wasn’t until two seasons later that fans found out something else had gone down between Tony and Ziva before she left the show.
Fans met Tali in season 13
Two seasons after de Pablo exited the series, it was time for Weatherly to say goodbye. He left at the end of season 13, and Ziva was a huge part of his departing storyline. However, de Pablo didn’t show up for a cameo.
Instead, they killed her character in a mortar attack. And that’s when Tony finds out that he and Ziva have a daughter named Tali. Tony left NCIS so he could search for the truth behind what happened to Ziva. He eventually moved to Paris with Tali.
Fans found out in season 16 that Ziva was actually alive, and she had faked her death to keep her family safe. Now the trio lives together in Europe, but fans are hoping they will be back someday as special guest stars.
NCIS will return to CBS this fall for season 19.
