For me this is all about Gibbs and family. Nothing matters to him other than his family, which has driven his life since the murder of Shannon and Kelly. He suddenly realises this now includes Phineas. Apart from his core team members it includes Shannon and Kelly, Diane, Rebecca, and Stephanie, all "natural" family members: of course Jackson Gibbs and, by extension, Leroy Jethro Moore. Caitlin Todd, Jenny Shepard, Mike Franks were all members of that institution. Ziva and Tali followed on and Tony extended his membership from a team player to Tali's father. So Gibbs is surrounded by all these mental characters, living or dead, real or the product of imagination. I can't help wondering if Mark Harmon is in a similar situation - after seventeen years of giving us enjoyment, he is surrounded by the ghosts of the scripts he has given us.
16 Reviews
Ziva, Ziva, Ziva
jimjames129 July 2023
Ziva and Gibbs' new neighbor come together in a huge ending. Phineas is left with many questions. But my review is really about the reviewers who have not seen all the episodes before this one. This is the 17th season. Have you watched the other 16 seasons before this one? Dr you watch all the JAG episodes before you started watching NCIS? If not, you are definitely not an expert on NCIS. Go back and watch y'all the ones you missed. It really will help make into a better reviewer. Loved this episode and Ziva too. The audience is who helped to bring her back although probably not for long. Loved the Phineas character too. And loved the ending.
And the plot just keeps on twisting!
Carycomic18 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Tonight, the series went on Christmas break with a suspenseful, action-packed story where nothing I thought I knew turned out to be true.
Take Bishop, for instance. Having betrayed Gibbs' confidence once, with her lies of omission concerning Ziva, she risks more than resentful stare in her back through her confiscation of an audiovisual flash drive from the enigmatic Odette. The middle-aged African-American woman who turned out to be more than Ziva's stateside landlady!
Then, there's Sahar, who I thought was the vengeful-ex-girlfriend of Ari Aswari's Russian half-brother. She chose suicide-by-comrade before life-without-parole in an American prison, right? Wrong!
It turns out she was just a fanatically loyal impostor. The real Sahar is still alive and at large! That, in turn, leads to a dying declaration by Adam (Ziva' s old friend from Mossad) as she and Gibbs helplessly look on: "You know her."
Well, the first thought that occurred to me was: "Odette!"
Wrong again. I was right, though, about why Gibbs did not figure out Ziva's so-called "clues" that she had survived the attack on her Israeli hide-away. An emotional baggage rack filled to maximum capacity! And Ziva ultimately turned out to have the same problem. Of course, Dr. Jack--the NCIS psychiatric liaison played by Maria Bello--would call it by its clinical name. PTSD: post-traumatic stress disorder! But, it amounts to the same thing.
Formidable as she is, even Ziva has her mental and emotional limits. Hence, her judgement became just as clouded as Gibbs'. And, as I was so mentally and emotionally invested in this on-going story arc, I became just as figuratively blind to the obvious as them. At least, with regard to the anagram formed by the spelling of "Sahar."
Suffice it to say that this story arc has a bittersweet conclusion. It's sweet in that Ziva and Gibbs have satisfactorily reconciled. And that Ziva has virtually promised to reunite with Tony and Little Tali. But, it's also bitter in that Gibbs is quite probably going to lose the admiration and affection of the young man who has rapidly come to regard him as a father-figure.
May all my fellow reviewers have a much less downbeat Christmas...and a Happy New Year, too.
. .
Take Bishop, for instance. Having betrayed Gibbs' confidence once, with her lies of omission concerning Ziva, she risks more than resentful stare in her back through her confiscation of an audiovisual flash drive from the enigmatic Odette. The middle-aged African-American woman who turned out to be more than Ziva's stateside landlady!
Then, there's Sahar, who I thought was the vengeful-ex-girlfriend of Ari Aswari's Russian half-brother. She chose suicide-by-comrade before life-without-parole in an American prison, right? Wrong!
It turns out she was just a fanatically loyal impostor. The real Sahar is still alive and at large! That, in turn, leads to a dying declaration by Adam (Ziva' s old friend from Mossad) as she and Gibbs helplessly look on: "You know her."
Well, the first thought that occurred to me was: "Odette!"
Wrong again. I was right, though, about why Gibbs did not figure out Ziva's so-called "clues" that she had survived the attack on her Israeli hide-away. An emotional baggage rack filled to maximum capacity! And Ziva ultimately turned out to have the same problem. Of course, Dr. Jack--the NCIS psychiatric liaison played by Maria Bello--would call it by its clinical name. PTSD: post-traumatic stress disorder! But, it amounts to the same thing.
Formidable as she is, even Ziva has her mental and emotional limits. Hence, her judgement became just as clouded as Gibbs'. And, as I was so mentally and emotionally invested in this on-going story arc, I became just as figuratively blind to the obvious as them. At least, with regard to the anagram formed by the spelling of "Sahar."
Suffice it to say that this story arc has a bittersweet conclusion. It's sweet in that Ziva and Gibbs have satisfactorily reconciled. And that Ziva has virtually promised to reunite with Tony and Little Tali. But, it's also bitter in that Gibbs is quite probably going to lose the admiration and affection of the young man who has rapidly come to regard him as a father-figure.
May all my fellow reviewers have a much less downbeat Christmas...and a Happy New Year, too.
. .
If you are new NCIS, then you have to or need to watch ALL episodes understand how we got here!
reddogzslick2018 December 2019
I have loved NCIS from the very first JAG episode that help create & introduce this show! I truly feel sad to those who watching this drama for only past 5,6,7 or 8 years, then sharing their own uninformed opinions about ENTIRE the show or this specific episode! The "Ziva" character was essential part of the early growth of this television show, which is how it became the colossal success that it become today! There always a constant turnover of characters in every television show that been on for over four years these days, as I have mourned for each and every lost character on this show. There is pattern that should obvious to the true fans of this show. For those cannot see it, perhaps this not the show for you follow or watch going forward, or if do not care about history of this particular show! "You break the rules, Gibbs Rules, you pay the price later on."
This episode brings the show back to its roots! If you are new to this story it's troublesome to you, however, loyal watchers realize they seen ALL this before!
Finally this, although I do not agree with every change made to core of NCIS, for example, some the cast changes with new people I do not think really a serve purpose or fit into the show's storyline. The show has grown and cast will continue to change going forward hopefully!
This episode brings the show back to its roots! If you are new to this story it's troublesome to you, however, loyal watchers realize they seen ALL this before!
Finally this, although I do not agree with every change made to core of NCIS, for example, some the cast changes with new people I do not think really a serve purpose or fit into the show's storyline. The show has grown and cast will continue to change going forward hopefully!
Love Ziva
blndentdumb19 December 2019
Ziva needs to come back permanently
jmaccaglia18 December 2019
I've been warning Ncis since season 1. Ziva has been missed. She's such a huge part of the show and she needs to come back for more than just these 4 episodes this season. Great season so far. Even better when Ziva comes around. Bring her back forever!
This is entertainment....
gypsygaldiana20 December 2019
Could have been better!
harrykivi1 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
"The North Pole" is an episode I was excited about, because of Ziva coming back. While I do think this episode gets many things right, it definitely could have been better.
Let's start with the good aspects.
. The production values of the episode are great. "The North Pole" is very well directed, the music adds to the scenery and the performances are fantastic. Cote De Pablo is terrific as Ziva once again.
. The story is interesting for the most part. There are a couple of pretty surprising twists (Sarah being Sahar all along).
But...
. It did feel like the episode was trying to get through as many storylines as it could. The stuff with Adam needed stronger build-up to get me emotionally invested and the death of Sahar felt like a very rushed solution. I just don't like when "NCIS" gets rid of a villain they have build up in the same episode. Some ideas needed more time and clarity, I agree with the reviewers, who have said the Ziva storyline is a bit convoluted here.
Overall, could have been better.
6/10 HK.
Let's start with the good aspects.
. The production values of the episode are great. "The North Pole" is very well directed, the music adds to the scenery and the performances are fantastic. Cote De Pablo is terrific as Ziva once again.
. The story is interesting for the most part. There are a couple of pretty surprising twists (Sarah being Sahar all along).
But...
. It did feel like the episode was trying to get through as many storylines as it could. The stuff with Adam needed stronger build-up to get me emotionally invested and the death of Sahar felt like a very rushed solution. I just don't like when "NCIS" gets rid of a villain they have build up in the same episode. Some ideas needed more time and clarity, I agree with the reviewers, who have said the Ziva storyline is a bit convoluted here.
Overall, could have been better.
6/10 HK.
WTF
kenhymesmusic19 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The show has exhibited signs of life recently after a long period of seemingly phoning it in. Obviously Ziva gives it a shot in the arm, as De Cote has such presence and we have a sense of history to draw on as viewers. But this episode is so callous and sloppy that it squanders all that. The twist is compelling... until the script just walks away from that little boy. I don't give a crap anymore about these people and their problems (even Ziva's struggle to get back to her family feels contrived and unconvincing, especially since we know the whole plot line around her little girl is a product of De Cote and Weatherly leaving the show, not an organic development), if they don't care about what just happened to another child, a child who we were led to care about over a number of episodes. Will they pick that thread back up? Maybe... but the way this ended left me irritated and ready to give up on NCIS after 17 years of watching it.
Shotgun the Boring Ziva
Johnny_West29 October 2020
Ziva has to be the most boring character ever written for a TV series. She is a one trick pony. Same story, different season. Israeli Intelligence, she is being persecuted, her life is in danger, blah blah blah.
So why is Ziva always a big ugly bee? From day one until now, it is always all about the entitled Ziva, who never has to follow rules because she is from Israeli Intelligence. Ziva chooses to never be part of the NCIS team. Ziva never tells the rest of her friends & co-workers what they should worry about when there is danger. Ziva is only about Ziva, and she uses Gibbs like a tampon, to clean up her bloody mess.
The day Ziva got killed off several years ago, I was the happiest fan of NCIS. Now she is back, and it is the same boring Ziva. Her story never changes, and it is dreadfully boring. Not to mention that she is the worst mother on earth, who totally abandoned her daughter at birth. Hopefully NCIS can stop bringing her back. Please go away Ziva. Focus on being a Mother, for once in your horrible life.
So why is Ziva always a big ugly bee? From day one until now, it is always all about the entitled Ziva, who never has to follow rules because she is from Israeli Intelligence. Ziva chooses to never be part of the NCIS team. Ziva never tells the rest of her friends & co-workers what they should worry about when there is danger. Ziva is only about Ziva, and she uses Gibbs like a tampon, to clean up her bloody mess.
The day Ziva got killed off several years ago, I was the happiest fan of NCIS. Now she is back, and it is the same boring Ziva. Her story never changes, and it is dreadfully boring. Not to mention that she is the worst mother on earth, who totally abandoned her daughter at birth. Hopefully NCIS can stop bringing her back. Please go away Ziva. Focus on being a Mother, for once in your horrible life.
Season 17 is changing the tone, and that's death to a show
racliff19 December 2019
It feels like you've gone back to work and your desk is moved near the back door -- something is changing and not for good. Ziva's reappearance as part of larger story arch this season, and is one element signalling the death to a series. Every popular crime show in last 50 years has done the same thing ... slipped away from the style and feel and format, which endeared the viewers to orchestrate their schedules to watch the show. The writers exhaust fresh material of crime and resolutions of the crimes. Instead they substitute person drama, which personally for my wife and I, we hate. Don't people have enough stupid drama in their own lives already.
Without getting into details, this episode does not have a natural flow to it. Everything comes across, somewhat predictably, and a little forced, and with little surprise. If you're a child and new to the series, everything around your life is drama -- maybe this is what you enjoy. If you're a couple who has watched the show from the beginning, and it's predecessor, J.A.G., then season 17 has been a struggle to get excited about.
I don't watch television shows that have the episodes which go on and on; an occasional 'to-be-continued' is alluring. All of my favourite episodes are 1-eposide with sharp stories, great guest spots, genuine creative memories. Season 17 has not had even one of these. If these stories are all consumed, then let's end the show with some dignity of the years gone by; before the core audience just gives up and quits watching.
Without getting into details, this episode does not have a natural flow to it. Everything comes across, somewhat predictably, and a little forced, and with little surprise. If you're a child and new to the series, everything around your life is drama -- maybe this is what you enjoy. If you're a couple who has watched the show from the beginning, and it's predecessor, J.A.G., then season 17 has been a struggle to get excited about.
I don't watch television shows that have the episodes which go on and on; an occasional 'to-be-continued' is alluring. All of my favourite episodes are 1-eposide with sharp stories, great guest spots, genuine creative memories. Season 17 has not had even one of these. If these stories are all consumed, then let's end the show with some dignity of the years gone by; before the core audience just gives up and quits watching.
Can we please just get rid of Ziva?
koohii13 November 2020
Ziva's death provided a great plot move and a chance for Tony to finally grow up from his sophomoric insults/humor without backsliding like he usually did. Now he had no choice and had to be a responsible grown-up.
Bringing Ziva back from the dead completely cheated everything about that.
Bringing her back from the dead as badly as they did just insulted the fans of the show as well as her character.
And for someone who is supposed to be such a competent fighter and martial artist, her fight choreography is just smeggin' terrible.
Insisting on keeping her as this character in perpetual crisis is just polishing a dog dropping.
Let her go.
Oh dear!
ak20207 March 2020
Yet another long running US TV series that has run out of ideas for sensible stories. The originality of the premise of this series has now gone and the script-writers can't come up with reasonable plots any more, if this episode is an example.
This plot of this episode is stupid and (for once) the acting abysmal. The actress playing Ziva, whose is acting is poor, has brought down the whole cast to her feeble level in this episode.
I hope that it gets better in the few remaining episodes.
This plot of this episode is stupid and (for once) the acting abysmal. The actress playing Ziva, whose is acting is poor, has brought down the whole cast to her feeble level in this episode.
I hope that it gets better in the few remaining episodes.
Shame on the NCIS show-runners.
CrimeDrama18 March 2022
Donald P. Bellisario,
So who thought it was a good idea to wait until the 10th episode of season 17 to explain how Ziva survived the terrorist bombing in Israel? It is just more evidence supporting the belief that Ziva, even if not dead, was irrelevant. Bringing her back was a desperate attempt at conflict and drama but it is all forced. Not to mention all of the loose ends that have to be dealt with. We KNOW the Gibbs character and there is no way he will believe Ziva was easy to kill. He WILL investigate it. However, he doesn't! It is all too much because Ziva was already irrelevant. Hopefully, Mark Harmon never brings the Gibbs character back. He must have seen how the Ziva character was mishandled from the beginning. Why would Gibbs allow any agent to stay on his team longer than the probationary period when they clearly are not a team player? Everyone, including Ziva, knows this to be true so why should we be forced to deal with her character in season 17? Gibbs sees her as a daughter, which is just as unbelievable as Tony and Ziva as a couple. It is sad that Mr. Bellisario and his crew could not accept that the Ziva character was irrelevant. She never should have been brought back.
So who thought it was a good idea to wait until the 10th episode of season 17 to explain how Ziva survived the terrorist bombing in Israel? It is just more evidence supporting the belief that Ziva, even if not dead, was irrelevant. Bringing her back was a desperate attempt at conflict and drama but it is all forced. Not to mention all of the loose ends that have to be dealt with. We KNOW the Gibbs character and there is no way he will believe Ziva was easy to kill. He WILL investigate it. However, he doesn't! It is all too much because Ziva was already irrelevant. Hopefully, Mark Harmon never brings the Gibbs character back. He must have seen how the Ziva character was mishandled from the beginning. Why would Gibbs allow any agent to stay on his team longer than the probationary period when they clearly are not a team player? Everyone, including Ziva, knows this to be true so why should we be forced to deal with her character in season 17? Gibbs sees her as a daughter, which is just as unbelievable as Tony and Ziva as a couple. It is sad that Mr. Bellisario and his crew could not accept that the Ziva character was irrelevant. She never should have been brought back.
Get rid of Ziva!,
marsmii18 December 2019
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
