Speculate This is a new feature that tries to figure out what’s going to happen next on our favorite TV shows. In this first article, Tina Charles tries to figure out what’s going to go down at the end of this current season of CBS’ NCIS. This is all pure speculation. No facts. We do not have any inside information. We may stumble on to some speculation that may prove to be spoilerrific. You’ve been warned.

 I watched “Defiance” and loved the episode, by the way. But, did you notice how Vance is on the warpath again? When did this happen? I remember a time when Gibbs and the Director were playing nice; they seemed to develop a general respect for each other, although maybe not so much for their respective methods. But, this season, things seem to be heading for something epic — will the collateral damage be Gibbs’ team? The last time Leon was acting this surly, was when he first became head of NCIS. And what did he do? He split them up. This action transitioned McGee from Major Case Response Team to Cyber Crimes; eliminated Ziva’s liaison position which sent her back to Israel; gave Tony a one-way ticket to Agent Afloat duty; and it also resulted in Vance assigning Gibbs a new team. I feel like something big is brewing and it may end up with another separation. Don’t know if Abby would be able to take another one of those.
In “Defiance,” the ex-marine was up to his old tricks. NCIS seemed relegated to low-man-on-the totem-pole status when in this huge case involving international relations, they were given protection duty. Not of the Belgravian Defense Minister who was in D.C. to sign a treaty. Not of the key aides in the Belgravian government. Oh no, the protection duty was for the Defense Minister’s daughter. Ouch. But, leave it up to Leroy Jethro Gibbs to not only take on the bodyguard duty, but to go under-the-radar and investigate the death of the marine guard that was killed in the failed assassination attempt outside the U.S. Embassy in Belgravia. I love him for that. Gibbs follows his own set of rules and he doesn’t care if he has to go around the FBI or Director Vance to do it. And he fosters that same mentality in his team.

Of course, that kind of mindset isn’t going to make you any allies. And, after Tim and Tony blow their protection duty and the daughter was “kidnapped,” it feels like NCIS is in even deeper you-know-what. It doesn’t help that the team is not-so-subtly talking about their future. Ziva asks McGee how long he thinks the team’s going to be together. McGee’s been part of Gibbs’ team for seven years. Tony for at least ten years, maybe more, who knows. Even Ziva’s been part of the gang for over five years. In the real world, people get promoted or they get other jobs. McGee even talks about how Tony turned down the Rota gig four years ago and there’s no way he can do that again. I wonder if this blown protection detail serves as a way to explain Tim and Tony not moving onward and upward at NCIS? Or is it just more fuel for the fire to break the team up once again? There has been a lot of talk about the past lately. There has to be a reason.

Regardless, Vance isn’t a happy camper these days. He’s not even trying to understand Gibbs and his team. He’s privy to things he’s not talking about, which makes me wonder what in the world is going to go down at the end of the season. I’m very curious to watch this second half of the season. After a Season Six finale that was heavy on Ziva’s issues; and a Season Seven finale that was heavy into Gibbs’ tragic past; I’m ready for the team to take front-and-center as Season Eight draws to a close. Would something like Vance splitting up the team happen again? Or something worse? I don’t know what “worse” would be. Another group taking their place as the golden team, possibly? Which means our guys would be demoted? Just a few thoughts…
Some more wild, off the charts, speculation (warning for potential spoiler alert): I know this will probably be an unpopular prediction, but I’m wondering if Ziva secretly marries Ray and leaves the team thinking she needs to be with her husband full-time (but don’t worry, this speculation includes Ziva being back on the team in Season Nine). In “A Man Walks Into a Bar,” she talked about wanting something permanent. In some circles, marriage is considered to be as permanent as you can get. But she’s pretty much mentioning Ray in every episode. This relationship she’s having with him is clearly more than a friendship. Tony and Ziva have nothing going on between them right now. I did read a blind item about someone secretly getting married so that got me thinking, I’m not going to lie. Although, no worries, I really don’t think she’s the answer to that Blind Item. But, this speculation is just that, pure speculation and not based on anything but a passing thought while watching “Defiance.” I wonder when we’re going to meet this Ray? Ziva’s had a lot of pain in her life, especially the last couple of years, she deserves to have some happiness. Someone on this team does. It’s kind of depressing how they’re all so lonely and unattached.
What do you guys think will happen at the end of the season?
Related posts
Classics
John Griffin and Harold Perrineau Talk From on EPIX Season 1 Finale
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] How are we doing, #FROMily? In case you missed it this morning, the very good news is that that cliffhanger will be followed by a second season, which was gifted this morning ahead of the linear broadcast of the finale. I always legitimately appreciate when we…
Elizabeth Saunders Talks EPIX’s From
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] One of the things that makes EPIX’s From such a fun ride is the abundance of Canadian cast members. Elizabeth Saunders, who plays Donna, is a favorite from her turn on the third season of Mary Kills People, which US audiences still have not been able…
Corteon Moore Talks From “Broken Windows, Open Doors”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight’s episode of From had us all in our feels as we learned through flashbacks about the Sophie’s Choice Boyd had to make to save his son, and back in the present as Boyd said his piece with Ellis before heading into the woods with…
Pegah Ghafoori Talks From “All Good Things…”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode] Tonight on From, Fatima’s anniversary celebration turned into a Colony House of horrors when a misguided Kevin let his monster bae in and she promptly killed him and left the window open for her crew. While the party devolved into terror and sent everyone running,…
Shaun Majumder Talks From “Book 74”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight on EPIX’s From, Father Khatri made a bold move, kidnapping Sara instead of turning her in, and then recognizing her as a vessel for some big messages. That startling realization speaks to him on multiple levels–as a man of faith, a man trapped in…
Avery Konrad Talks About Sara’s Struggle in From “Silhouettes”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Over the course of the season so far on From, we’ve witnessed Sara’s battle against the voices telling her to to do terrible things, and tonight we saw her unravel further, threatening the Matthews and lashing out in a moment of terror with horrifying results….
Hannah Cheramy Talks From “Choosing Day”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight, on EPIX’s From, the Matthews participate in the show’s version of the sorting hat, choosing where to call home–the town or Colony House. At the end of the episode, Julie makes the decision to split from her family and instead settle in with Fatima…
Ricky He Talks From “The Way Things Are Now”
[Warning: Spoilers for episode 102 of EPIX’s From.] Epix’s new series From is two episodes in and it’s already laying the groundwork for a seriously spooky season. Tonight’s episode demonstrated the careful balance of relief and horror that the show hits, with our characters’ worst fears realized, just not when…
Catching Up with Ted Lasso and Previewing Season 2
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] The not so dirty little secret about how I approach a new series is that I sometimes make a call based on the headspace I’m in at the time. It’s been a minute since I’ve picked up a show after the first season and then binge…
Interview: Henri Esteve on Grown-ish Season 3
An interview with Henri Esteve, who plays Javi on Freeform’s Grown-ish. He talks about his season three experience.
What They Said: Three Revealing Conversations from Survivor’s Remorse “Closure”
WARNING: Spoilers for Survivor’s Remorse “Closure” The latest episode of Starz’s Survivor’s Remorse featured conversations that showed characters really digging deep into their thoughts, emotions and motivations.
Two Takes: The Catch “The Knock-Off”
Who can you trust? If this episode of The Catch was any indication, the answer is just about nobody. Betrayal was running rampant as Felicity (Shivani Ghai) arose from the dead to seduce-con Margot, Gretchen (Maria Thayer, Gotham, The Mindy Project) played gold-hearted Alice 2.0 before swindling Ethan, Tessa jumped…
What They Said: Top 3 Quotable Moments from Preacher “El Valero”
Both Quincannon and Jesse refuse to give up on what they each think is rightfully theirs. While Jesse is struggling to face the consequences of his actions, Quincannon has laid his past demons to rest and is hellbent on moving forward and putting Annville on the map again. Despite a…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Supergirl “Worlds Finest”
Oh, Supergirl. That ending was cold. But I can’t hate on you because the latest episode has quickly become one of my favorites.
What They Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Black Sails “XXIII”
The dialogue in “XXIII” is phenomenal. It’s always a fun ride when Black Sails carries its viewers along without giving them the chance to catch their breath. When an episode moves at this unforgiving pace, there is no chance for a breather nor is there a respite from the information…
What Lucifer Said: Favorite quotes from Supernatural “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Supernatural episodes are almost always funny but thanks to the dialogue and a certain man speaking said dialogue, I laughed a lot during “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” You know, when I wasn’t busy fearing for Sam’s life or wondering what in the world was going on with Dean and…
What They Said: The Flash, “Legends Of Today” and Arrow, “Legends Of Yesterday”
Two nights of Arrow + The Flash = what more could we ask for?! I don’t know what it is about blending these shows, but I can’t help but feel that every time they come together, they somehow become greater than the sum of their parts. And that’s saying a lot…
What they Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Graceland “Little Bo Bleep”
Shoot outs. Fake outs. And long-awaited revelations. “Little Bo Bleep” was a jam-packed episode that wrapped up some loose ends and totally frayed others. Â It finally gave us one Sarkissian in jail and pulled back the curtain on Briggs’ master plan, but it also set up Jakes for a world…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Poldark “Part 4”
“What have I told you, I don’t require my wife to crochet and sip tea, but I do require her to remember she’s not a beast of burden.†No, I’m not talking about The Rolling Stones! I have to admit though, just for a second, the lyrics popped into my…
3 Moments of Goodness from Brooklyn Nine-Nine “Johnny and Dora”
The most satisfying part of this season’s finale has to the Jake and Amy kiss. Well, they kiss three times but the last one is the best one — and it means something. The Charles and Rosa dynamic was also great. I love how she’s convinced he doesn’t know anything…