NCIS Season 24, Episode 4 ‘Like and Subscribe‘ makes it clear that what happened in NCIS: Tony & Ziva isn’t actually out of sight, out of mind, even if it stops short of actually bringing Tali (Isla Gie) to DC to reunite with her dad. We would have loved to see her and Ziva (Cote de Pablo), but common sense does dictate that when they show up—and no one can convince me they won’t—it’ll be for a bigger storyline than this one.
Still, continuity is a nice thing, and the way the show has integrated both Ziva and Tali, even if they’re not physically present, is the only thing that makes sense considering the history of those two characters and Tony (Michael Weatherly). I’m still a little iffy on Ziva remaining off-screen so much, but I’ll be sitting here awaiting my payoff for it.
Otherwise, ‘Like and Subscribe’ does a pretty good job of integrating Tony’s fears about Tali with the team. It even makes sense to ask Jessica (Katrina Law), and of course Jimmy (Brian Dietzen) would know. And McGee (Sean Murray)? Well, his relationship with Tony has always been very sibling-coded, so I can also see Tony not coming to him first. Even the solution Tony reaches at the end of the episode feels not just right, but like a nice moment of growth for our Tony DiNozzo. See, apparently you can teach an old dog new tricks.
MORE: How to Watch Every NCIS Show in Order
IS THIS THE TONY SHOW?
This is a pretty fun episode, and after that very dark Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) hour, it makes sense to lean into the lighter fare. However, returning to a Tony-focused storyline does beg the question: Is Season 24 too focused on Tony DiNozzo? Tony is a very popular character, and he fits well with the team. That part has never been in doubt. But the more the show focuses on Tony, the less focus we get on other characters who have been around for a while and who deserve some storylines.
Inevitably, the two characters most hurt by the sudden focus on Tony are Jimmy and Kasie (Dionna Reasonover), who get less focus than Nick, Jessica, McGee, or Parker (Gary Cole). But it also really hurts storylines we’ve been waiting years to get answers on, like the relationship status of Jessica and Jimmy. The show played with a Torres love triangle last year, but that never seemed to be a serious thing, and this season has proved it was not. Torres has no romantic feelings for Knight, and we probably won’t get a love interest for him anytime soon. Bishop is out there, after all.
But the question of Jessica and Jimmy has been left open-ended for a while, and it’s been touched on like once a season for the last two years. It’s about time we go back to it, and we cannot if we spend all our time on Tony.
Of course, it’s a little too early to say this definitively. We’ve got a Jessica episode coming up, and it might be that we’ll get some more balance as the season progresses. That’d be my preference. It’s nice for any longtime fan to see Tony back, but this show has still worked without him, and that means there are characters here people care about and want to see more of.
MORE: Want to brush up on Gibbs’ rules?
Things I think I think:
- Yeah, Tim, no one’s gonna volunteer to help.
- Of course this is about Tali.
- “Because I’m a woman.”/”Yes. Which means you were once a teenage girl.”
- Aww, Tali is being a teenager.
- “I think Tali’s made friends.”
- LOL, that’s what Ziva said!
- “Ziva’s upbringing is a little unconventional.”
- It is, but it’s kind of a dick move to bring up your partner’s unconventional upbringing like this, Tony. Come on, you should know better than this. Where’s all that growth when it comes to Ziva?
- Remind me that you love her or something!
- “Let’s keep the secret in secret visitor.” What does McGee know?
- Look, the Fight Club jokes were too easy. Had to be done.
- Give me all the Jimmy and Victoria stories.
- “I wasn’t alive in 1981.” LOL, me either. I have no clue what this is.
- What do you mean you did some “light research”?
- Don’t you ever say Ziva is worse than you again, Tony.
- “You do nothing.”
- Jimmy does have a teenage daughter! And Tony lives with him.
- “Waiting in the wings with a credit card and a hug.” Perfect parental advice.
- I’m living off tiny Jess and Jimmy moments. There was a smile!
- This is a Mr. Beast thing, isn’t it?
- Where did you even get the popcorn in the office, Tony?
- “Why do you hate love?”
- I’m not so sure Tony can master the role of a cool dad.
- “Guys like him don’t get rich playing nice.” It is a Mr. Beast thing!
- The laugh I let out at the whole Tali being mad at Tony because this dude is her favorite YouTuber thing. I don’t get the youth.
- Look, I don’t think things work quite as easily as Tony made them look with that phone thingie, but whatever. At least he had a plan.
- “Feel free to brag to McGee about this.”
- You are a lousy friend, Mr. Beast wannabe.
- “It’s easy to do the right thing when the cameras are rolling.” I know that’s right.
- “Sometimes people just need to know that you’re there for them.”
- Imagine!
- Mr. Beast knockoff looking too good this episode.
- Is that… the actual actor who played Ralph Hinkley?
- It is! It’s William Katt.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS Season 24, Episode 4 ‘Like and Subscribe’? Share with us in the comments below!
NCIS airs Tuesdays at 8/9c on CBS.
