Michael Weatherly bids farewell to NCIS in the season 13 finale, “Family First.” Right after the team receives confirmation that Ziva did, in fact, die in the bombing of Eli David’s farm house, Tony finds out that they have a daughter, Tali, and learning he’s a father paves the way for his departure from the agency.
Here are Tony’s biggest moments from his final episode, “Family First.”
Tony Plans to Go to Israel After an Unidentified Survivor is Pulled from the Rubble of Eli’s Farm House
The others already know he’s going; McGee has already booked him a plane.
Senior Tries to Offer Tony Hope, But He’s Past That Point
“I don’t know that she’s still alive and nobody knows anything, so what’s the point in feeling anything at all?” Tony asks, admitting, “I’m a wreck.”
Tony Finds Out Ziva’s Dead
He’s ready to leave for the airport, but Abby and McGee show up to deliver the bad news. Yes, they’re sure.
Tony Wants to Get Kort and Shows up at Work, But Gibbs Sends Him Home
“We’ve lost agents before, haven’t we? And when we do, it’s all hands on deck!” He yells at Gibbs, who argues that Ziva’s more than an agent to him. And no, it’s not the same for him as everyone else, no matter what he says. “You need time,” Senior tells him, trying to coax him into leaving. Gibbs agrees, issuing an ultimatum that Tony needs to hear at the moment: “Go. Or go for good.” Tony’s too upset to be at work right now.
Orli Reveals That Ziva Had a Daughter — and Yes, She’s Tony’s
Tali, named after Ziva’s sister, was the one survivor from the farm house. He’s “the only biological possibility,” Orli assures him, but Ziva didn’t tell him because she didn’t want to disrupt his life. She was independent and was comfortable raising Tali on her own and when she came to regret not telling him, she didn’t know how to.
Palmer Offers Tony Advice, Father to Father
Keep it positive, he suggests, offering a better equivalent to the jars of of food. Is Tony coming back to work? Why wouldn’t he? He’s a single father now, Palmer reminds him, and his job is dangerous. And kids mirror so much of what they see, so in 10 years, Tony will have Gibbs’ job and he’ll be happy and Tali will see that and follow his lead. That gets Tony thinking.
When McGee Asks Tony About Him and Ziva, Tony Tells Him He Loved Her
Were they an item the whole time, McGee wants to know. They “had a connection and obviously a very fond farewell,” Tony says.
Tony Finds Out Ziva Told Tali About Him
He’s “abba,” “father” to her, as she says when she points to him in a photo of him and Ziva in Paris.
Tony Gives Tali Ziva’s Necklace
Tony Joins the Others Just as They’ve Caught Kort — and Joins Them in Shooting Him Dead
It’s not personal, it’s business, Kort says to try to defend himself. He didn’t know Ziva would be in the farm house. She was his family, Tony says. When Kort reaches for his gun, Tony and the others shoot.
Tony Says Goodbye to Gibbs
Tony now knows the answer to Gibbs’ question from a few months ago about what he really wanted. He now has a daughter, so he’s no longer just thinking about himself. When McGee called earlier that they knew where Kort was, Tony just wanted to take care of Tali. Everything in her life was gone, except him. “I’m everything to that little girl now, and I’ve never been anybody’s everything before,” he admits. Tony’s done being an agent now. (Gibbs already knows.) He’s going to take Tali for Israel and look for answers and then to Paris.
“I’d say thank you, but it doesn’t quite cover it, Boss,” Tony tells Gibbs, offering his hand for a shake. “You take care of yourself and your family,” Gibbs says, hugging his (now former) Senior Field Agent.
Tony Says Goodbye to Abby
She too knows he’s leaving. “I know how much Ziva really loved you, and I need to know that you know that too,” she says. “She told me.”
“I’m really gonna miss you, Anthony DiNozzo.” She hugs him. “Not half as much as I’m gonna miss you, Abby Sciuto.”
Tony Hands in His Badge and Gun
“I am an NCIS Special Agent. My duty is to serve and protect the United States and our Navy and Marine Corps, across global boundaries. I recognize my badge is a symbol of authority and public trust. I will live my life above reproach. Understanding my actions reflect upon my fellow special agents and our agency.”
Tony Says Goodbye to Ducky and Palmer
Tony Says Goodbye to McGee and Bishop
Tony has five words for McGee: “Very Special Agent Timothy McGee.”
For Bishop, he tells her, “you are a very good agent, but not nearly as good as I think you one day will be.”
Tony Leaves NCIS
NCIS season 14 will air Tuesdays at 8pm this fall on CBS.
(Images courtesy of CBS)
Contributing Writer, BuddyTV
If it’s on TV — especially if it’s a procedural or superhero show — chances are Meredith watches it. She has a love for all things fiction, starting from a young age with ER and The X-Files on the small screen and the Nancy Drew books. Arrow kicked off the Arrowverse and her true passion for all things heroes. She’s enjoyed getting into the minds of serial killers since Criminal Minds, so it should be no surprise that her latest obsession is Prodigal Son.
