‘NCIS’ Still Hasn’t Found the Perfect Replacement for Its Most Important Character

Ziva David remains a distinctive presence in NCIS even though Cote de Pablo has not been a regular cast member for more than a decade. The article argues that the series has yet to replace what she brought: a link between its action-driven cases and its family drama, especially through her relationships with Gibbs and Tony.

Introduced after Kate Todd’s death, Ziva first had to overcome her colleagues’ distrust because she was the half-sister of Kate’s killer, Ari Haswari. Her background included service in the Israeli army and Mossad, and the loss of her younger sister; after being captured and tortured in Somalia, she left Mossad and chose a life with the NCIS team. The article highlights her evolving relationship with Gibbs and her humour, including her confusion over American idioms, as central to her appeal.