NCIS Preview: “Past, Present, Future” [PHOTOS and VIDEO] 

[WARNING: Spoilers for NCIS “Past, Present, Future”]

OK, this is it. Cote de Pablo’s final episode as a series regular on CBS’ NCIS.

If 20 million people tuned into last week’s “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot,” I can only imagine how many are going to tune into an episode that features the departure of a character and an actress that has been part of this show for the last eight years, starting with 2005’s “Kill Ari, Part 1.”

Synopsis for “Past, Present, Future”: Determined to locate Ziva, Tony chases leads in Israel in search of her current whereabouts. Meanwhile, Gibbs and the team continue the hunt for Parsa and his growing terrorist ring.

Some things I’m wondering:

• Why is Tony bearded?
• Can he keep the beard for a little while? I mean, it can be just like when Gibbs came back from hiatus complete with shaggy hair and moustache. He felt the need to keep it for a bit until he was ready to rid himself of the new look.
• How will we see the non-Tony DiNozzo characters deal with Ziva not returning to NCIS? I hope we get some good quality stuff from all the characters. Will Ziva find a special way to say goodbye to them?
• Will this Parsa business be put to bed after this episode? Will Ziva still be a target after everything is said and done?
• If Ziva’s gone, will the Mossad-type episodes be gone too?
• How will Tony and Ziva end things?
• How in the world does Gibbs get this bruised? (see below) Who has the nerve to mess with his face? The other guy in this photo? Not cool.

There are some interesting guest stars that will be populating “Past, Present, Future”:

• Joe Spano (FBI Agent Tobias Fornell) — We knew he was going to be a part of this. After all, he was in the premiere.
• Leslie Hope (SecNav Sarah Porter) — Clayton Jarvis was killed in “WTF.” Now his successor is coming our way. Leslie Hope recently played a president of sorts on NBC’s Revolution. But it’ll be nice to see her play the latest Secretary of the Navy. We’ve had a female director. Now it’s time for a female SecNav. Love it.
• Marina Sirtis (Orli Elbaz) — Sirtis is back as Eli David’s successor as Mossad Director. I’m kind of hoping that Sirtis and Hope share a scene together — whether in person or via satellite or whatever that is in MTAC. I’m just saying this needs to happen. By the way, I love that Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s Sirtis has become a part of this show. I loved Deanna Troi lots.
• Damon Dayoub (Adam Eshel): OK, it’s not that interesting that he’s part of this list. I mean, we’re expecting it, right? He was already in the premiere. It makes sense he’d be included in Ziva’s final episode. But he’s beyond adorable. So I’m including him. I wonder if Adam and Tony will have a mano a mano chat?
• Allan Louis (Navy Captain Dominick Wayne): Captain Wayne’s reputation is in ruins. But, of course, he’s a part of “Past, Present, Future.” There are certain things that still need to play out. Like the whole Gibbs training a gun on Fornell and shooting thing. Wayne was there for that.

I usually don’t talk about clips in these previews but after watching the one below I have one thing to say: Michael Weatherly blew me away. He actually brought me to tears — in less than 90 seconds. So kudos to him. If this is just a hint of the emotion that is going down in “Past, Present, Future” then I’m in trouble. It’s not that I forget that Michael’s a good actor but he doesn’t always get to do this on the show. Wow.

“Past, Present, Future” Clip

NCIS airs Tuesdays at 8/7c.

PHOTOS

Photo Credit for Following Imgaes: Richard Cartwright/CBS

Photo Credit for Following Images: Sonja Flemming/CBS

Photo Credit for Following Images: Ron P. Jaffe/CBS