NCIS: Everything We Know About Ziva's Possible Return

CBS threw NCIS viewers for a loop with a Super Bowl teaser for an upcoming episode that hinted former series regular Cote de Pablo could be making a comeback as Ziva David.

We've rounded up everything we know about the potential return below, as well as reactions from fans, and some good old speculation.

Remember you can watch NCIS online right here via TV Fanatic.

1. An Upcoming Episode Will Feature a Huge Secret

The official logline for NCIS Season 16 Episode 13 reads:

After a malnourished and confused 9-year-old is found hiding in a storage unit, NCIS reopens an old missing persons case when the girl is believed to be the daughter of a Navy recruit who disappeared 10 years ago. Also, Bishop discovers notes that Special Agent Ziva David kept on the case long after NCIS officially stopped investigating.

2. Um, What?

That last part was particularly telling. Why would Ziva continue investigating long after her team dropped it? That's the big question here.

3. Isn't Ziva Supposed to be Dead?

Yes. Ziva apparently died as a result of her farmhouse being destroyed by a mortar attack.

4. The Plot Thickens

While Ziva was ruled dead as a result of the attack, her remains were never found. In an age-old TV trope, characters killed off-screen tend to return.

5. Why Would She Leave Her Daughter Behind?

If Ziva did survive the attack, and we're not being trolled here, then it begs the question about why she left her daughter behind. TV shows love a good old amnesia storyline, but we're not sure fans would buy it.

6. Could Tony Return?

Michael Weatherly is still very much in the CBS family thanks to his starring role on Bull. Fans have been clamoring for some Tony and Ziva closure since NCIS Season 13 concluded. It's possible that viewers have been fooled all this time, and Tony and Ziva could have gotten their happy ending.

7. Gibbs Could Be Part of the "Secret"

The Super Bowl promo teases that the "biggest secret of all" will come out, and Gibbs does not look impressed about Ziva's name being brought up. Could he know about a potential coverup?

8. Is Ziva's Return Likely?

YES. We have some reasons. Allow us to explain...

9. A New Show

Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo are working on a new show...

10. Which Network?

CBS, of course!

11. There's a Catch

They will not be sharing the screen on this new series because they're developing it.

12. Verdict

Cote de Pablo's return as Ziva would be a huge surprise for fans, but it's not out of the question. If the big secret is that Ziva's alive, then it was probably in the works ever since de Pablo agreed to work with Weatherly on the new show for CBS.