CBSIt's time for Very Special Agent Tony DiNozzo's next assignment: fatherhood.
After 13 seasons, Michael Weatherly said goodbye to NCIS in the May 17 finale, and it was a bittersweet sendoff for the beloved character. (Warning, spoilers ahead!) In the hour, Tony not only dealt with Ziva's (Cote de Pablo) death (We're still NOT over this!), but also learning they had a child together, a daughter named Tali.
During the west coast airing of the season 13 finale, executive producer Gary Glasberg took to Twitter to sound off on Tony's final episode and how they decided fatherhood should ultimately be the reason he left the NCIS family.
"For months the writers have been discussing with me (and Michael) what would motivate Tony DiNozzo to leave his NCIS family?" Glasberg wrote. "It would have to be something so powerful no one would disagree."
And he admitted he struggled coming up with a powerful enough reason, saying, "It couldn't be another job. It couldn't be about money. I even struggled with it being for another relationship. Hours…days…we sat in the writers room talking."
The answer? A child, with Ziva, who died (off-screen), leaving Tali without a mother and in need of a parent who could provide security and safety.
"Being a field agent is dangerous. And if you're suddenly a single parent, do you continue to take that risk every day? Or does having a child change everything?" Galesburg said. "Based on all our research, talking to actual federal agents and law enforcement officers, it certainly does change things. And now Tony would do anything for that little girl. Anything."
But Why Didn't Ziva Tell Him?! Don't worry, Glasberg addressed why Ziva decided not to tell Tony about Tali, and assured their fans that she eventually would've introduced Tali to her father.
"The real question is why didn't Ziva tell him sooner? Because, Like Orli says, Ziva always wanted Tony to live HIS life," he explained. "You all know Ziva is a fiercely independent character. We truly believe she was planning to introduce him to his daughter when the time was right."
However, he did note it should "frustrate and anger" Tony. "But he also knew Ziva well enough to understand. And, at the end of the day, look what she's given him," Glasberg said. "A new sense of purpose. A new chapter. A new beginning. A new love. We knew it would take something enormous to make Tony put down his badge. Tali is that very special something." Anyone else just get chills?
Tony and Gibb's Goodbye: "Everyone came to watch this scene be filmed," Glasberg said of the final scene between Weatherly and Mark Harmon, who've both been with the show since the beginning. "Watch Mark Harmon's brilliant decision to start to head slap Tony and then cradle his head in a warm embrace instead. Thirteen years as friends and co-workers. Good stuff." (Sniffle.)
Grab Your Gear, Season 14 Is Coming: Before signing off, Glasberg had one final message for fans, and urged them to rewatch the finale.
"Finally, we leave you with some thoughts to consider over the summer as everyone rests, recovers and recharges. We are eager to show you what NCIS has in store for season fourteen. Heck, we've got some great stuff headed your way. And that's the truth. But here's what I'd like to say before I go. We have no intention of trying to replace Tony…we can't. He was and always will be a huge part of this show. All we can do is move forward,evolve, and continue on this amazing journey for seasons to come," he said. "We truly hope you enjoyed our finale. That, said, before I go, I urge everyone to go back and watch again. Really watch and listen. Hear what's being said. Pay attention. Tony DiNozzo is at peace. And he and Tali are moving on, searching for answers and happiness, just like the team has to move on as well. In Gibbs' basement Gibbs and Tony agree on something very important, ‘You gotta do what you do gotta do. And you gotta believe what you gotta believe.' Thanks for believing.'"
What did you think of NCIS' finale and how DiNozzo left the team? Sound off in the comments!