WARNING: This article contains spoilers for NCIS season 17 that may influence your enjoyment in discovering the plotlines. Read at your own risk.
Fans looking forward to NCIS season 17's premiere are in for a lot of treat. Star Cote De Pablo, who has agreed to reprise her role as Ziva David, will be in the first two episodes of the upcoming season.
NCIS season 17 executive producers Frank Cardea and Steven D. Binder confirmed De Pablo's appearances in coverage on Entertainment Weekly. They also said that the two episodes with Ziva would be such as an emotional and physical struggle for Jethro Gibbs (played by Mark Harmon).
The coverage also shows a photo of Ziva and Gibbs together. Fans have taken note that they are wearing the same clothes from the season finale of NCIS season 16, where De Pablo made her surprise appearance last May.
However, Gibbs seems to have hurt himself in NCIS season 17 as the photo also shows that his head is bleeding. This may have shot down speculations that Gibbs has imagined Ziva with him. Viewers will recall that her character has technically died in previous seasons but without a body as evidence.
There are also rumors suggesting De Pablo's return is a set-up for Harmon's exit. Theories indicated that the actress might take over as lead character on NCIS season 17 since Harmon wanted to retire from the show.
Meanwhile, aside from Ziva and Gibbs' team up on NCIS season 17, viewers of the series may also look forward to a good development between Bishop (Emily Wickersham) and Torres (Wilmer Valderrama). Both stars have been sharing photos on their social media profiles about their work on the set.
One photo has Bishop and Torres on an investigation that happened late at night, much to the delight of the shippers. Fans have been rooting for these two characters to become a couple, and it's clear on the show that they have feelings for each other. Will they finally be official in NCIS season 17?
Incidentally, Valderrama also shared a photo on Instagram where he's sitting inside his car with Bishop. On the backseat, however, is Ziva, thus suggesting that the character will also get to work with the rest of the team and not just Gibbs.
CBS has confirmed that NCIS season 17 will premiere on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 8:00 p.m. The show falls on the same night as FBI season 2 and NCIS: New Orleans season 6.
