NCIS: Tony & Ziva Episode 7 “Dark Mirror” is a Martine and Jonah episode, but it’s also a Tony and Ziva episode, and that’s exactly the point. Because at many times, Tony and Ziva have been dark people. They’ve never been just the good guys. I don’t have to tell you that federal agents in the United States government walk a very fine line, and I don’t have to explain the Mossad. There are grey areas. So, it’s fair to say that Tony and Ziva, though they are nowhere near villains, have seen some things and done some things.
But they’re still very, very different than Martine and Jonah, as “Dark Mirror” makes it clear. Because even though Martine and Jonah might have a good, upstanding reason for what they’re doing, the end does not justify the means. Not really. Not when the means are these. However, “Dark Mirror” also shows us that, even in this, Martine and Jonah are different. Martine has a line; he doesn’t. And that means he’s beyond redemption, while she might not be.
MORE: Check out our previous reviews! Here’s Episodes 1-3, here’s Episode 4, and here’s Episode 5.
TALI SAID SHE DIDN’T WANT US GETTING BACK TOGETHER AGAIN
NCIS: Tony & Ziva Episode 7 “Dark Mirror” isn’t just about the comparison between these two couples, but about how Tony and Ziva move forward in the way they want without hurting their daughter. And the answer is simple: by talking to Tali. It just seems complicated to them because they’ve never tried this with a teenager, and Tali just doesn’t understand. She’s accepting the status quo and refusing to get attached to something she doesn’t think she’ll get.
“We’re not doing that to her again,” Ziva says to Sophie at one point, because she’s willing to sacrifice her happiness for her daughter, but nothing would make Tali happier than having her family together. Tali just doesn’t know that’s an option, and it’s up to her parents to explain. Tali thinks that time her parents were engaged was about her, not about them. She doesn’t get that they loved each other, that they still love each other. She hasn’t seen it, not really. And she wasn’t old enough to understand it then.
So, perhaps, it’s a good thing that she’s with them now. Perhaps what Tali needs is to see this Tony and Ziva, the one we’ve seen, the one Claudette and Sophie and even Boris and Fruzsi have seen. But, communication. Important stuff. Tony and Ziva have started to try it with each other. Maybe they should let Tali in, too.
MORE: Are NCIS and NCIS: Tony & Ziva crossing over?
I THINK I LIKE YOUR GIRLFRIEND
Did I think I was going to enjoy Sophie and Boris as much as I did? Nope. Claudette certainly didn’t think so, either. But this team is actually clicking on all cylinders now. I need five more seasons of them, minimum. And we haven’t even gotten to the undercover episode! How can we keep them going? I don’t know, but they all need to work together on Tony’s firm. I see the vision. I need it to happen. Also, McGee and Jimmy need to come visit for reasons and science.
Jokes aside, the fact that they’re all so invested in Tony and Ziva’s relationship is kinda hilarious, because Boris literally met them 0.2 seconds ago. And yet, if I were in his shoes, I might be doing the exact same thing. It’s an interesting situation! He also, I’m sure, has to keep his wife updated. She’s curious too! Marriage is about keeping up with the gossip for each other.
Before the season started, I said that Tony and Ziva were going to work (I was sure of that), but that for the season to look like a good bet long term, the team had to work. Not only do they work, they work well together. Where’s our season 2 announcement?
MORE: The NCIS: Tony & Ziva spinoff was shot in Budapest
I MISSED HER (I STILL MISS HER)
The amount of growth we get from Tony in “Dark Mirror” is unprecedented, and though yes, he had to be tricked into it, the fact that he opened up about the way he shut down after he and Ziva broke up the first time is huge. Because that’s Tony owning up to his part of the blame, and later, it’s him putting his heart on the line, making the first move. Not just that, after Tali’s somewhat meh reaction, it’s also him not instantly retreating, but from the looks of it, trying to find a solution (before they were interrupted by reality). All very good signs for Tony DiNozzo.
Because the thing is, what he missed from Ziva has always been right there. He just had to be strong enough to ask for what he wanted. But he couldn’t just ask for things from Ziva without being willing to give his full self in return. And Tony had just not been willing to do that. He’d always been too scared of what it meant to be truly open. And now, it’s not that he’s scared. He’s just realized that, well… Ziva is also scared. And perhaps, they can hold hands and be scared together. He loves her enough to do that. Hold her hand in the darkness and face their fears, together.
I happen to think that’s the pinnacle of love. Not finding someone who isn’t afraid or someone who will protect you from your fears, but finding someone who is willing to face a scary world by your side.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think about NCIS: Tony & Ziva “Dark Mirror”? Share with us in the comments below!
New episodes of NCIS: Tony & Ziva stream on Thursdays on Paramount+.
At least one article that make sense of the Tali not being in Tiva’s corner. This was the only dark cloud in this episode as we all know they will both sacrifice their happiness for their daughter
I think sometimes it’s easy to forget that she’s just a kid because she’s Tony and Ziva’s kid and therefore can kick ass. But she is! I think if she thought this was real and they really loved each other and they could be a family, she’d be over the moon. She’s just scared and doesn’t trust it and is being very teenager about it.