'NCIS' Season 17: Clues indicate Tony knew Ziva was alive but kept it secret for Tali's safety
Back in season 11, when Ziva's (Cote De Pablo) life was in danger, Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) had traveled to Israel to ensure her safety. There, the two shared a passionate kiss that sent 'Tiva' fans into a frenzy.
They also presumably had sex since, in season 13, after Ziva's (off-screen) death, Tony is told Ziva gave birth to their daughter, named Tali (played by twins Emelia and Layla Golfieri). Speaking about these past events, Cote de Pablo said: "I don't think Ziva and Tony have seen each other or communicated in a long time. Tali was delivered to him [by Mossad], and that was the end of it."
Back in season 13, after Ziva's off-screen death (that we now know was faked) Tony had left NCIS to look for answers and to care for their daughter. At least, that is what he told the team. But think about it, would Ziva have been heartless enough to not send a message to Tony through Mossad to let him know she was alive but deep undercover and to keep Tali safe?
After all, in season 16, she was willing to ask Eleanor Bishop to keep her secret for the "safety of her family". Could this be the real reason why Tony quit his job and moved to Paris? The quiet life would be the best way to keep their daughter Tali away from the NCIS orbit (and potential threats). Tony could also have been worried about slipping up and spilling Ziva's secret to the close-knit NCIS team.
In the season 17 trailer, we see Ziva ask Gibbs: "If you had the chance for one more minute with your daughter, wouldn't you do anything?" Her statement shows that her daughter has never been far from her mind but she has been staying away from her and Tony to protect them.
The trailer also points to a reunion, since we see a brief glimpse of baby Tali and Ziva being reassured that her baby is waiting for her "on the other side of this". Co-showrunner Steve Binder, adding fuel to the speculations, had revealed earlier that "answers will be forthcoming" about how much Tony knew about Ziva's fake death or if he had been helping her stay dead.
He also said: “Just from the available facts, you can add up the idea that there’s someone out there that’s so bad, that’s so dangerous, that she had to go undercover and leave her daughter behind, at least for a period of time.” So it would make sense that Ziva would warn Tony of the danger so that he could protect Tali in a worst-case scenario of her cover being blown. Logic would say yes and so if there is a 'Tiva' reunion on the show, we expect Tony to be overjoyed to see her after three long years, but not surprised like the NCIS team was in the trailer.
NCIS season 17 premieres on Tuesday, September 24, at 8 p.m. on CBS.