JuicyTalk
As Michael Weatherly’s return to NCIS looms closer, Tony DiNozzo Jr.’s journey throughout the franchise has never been more relevant for viewers to brush up on. Tony, one of the original NCIS agents from the series, was part of the establishing cast that built the show from the ground up. Having spent 13 seasons on NCIS, Tony went through a large chunk of his life with the MCRT, learning from Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and his fellow agents. Going from a womanizing charmer to a grown man with a family, viewers got the chance to see Tony’s transformation.
Over the years, Tony has returned to the NCIS franchise in more ways than one. After leaving the series during NCIS season 13, Tony came back to the show for a few appearances, being referenced during Ziva’s (Cote de Pablo) later return, and then appearing himself during NCIS season 21’s memorial episode for Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard (David McCallum) after his passing. In 2025, Tony and Ziva returned to the franchise with their Paramount+ spinoff, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, and though it was short-lived, the spinoff gave the franchise enough momentum to bring Tony back for NCIS season 24 once again.
10
NCIS Season 2 Episode 22
“S.W.A.K.”
An early standout Tony episode, NCIS season 2 episode 22, “S.W.A.K.”, saw DiNozzo at the center of a deadly crisis after being exposed to a mysterious disease delivered through a contaminated letter. Playing off the of-the-moment fears of the anthrax virus, the episode saw Tony confined and facing the possibility that he may not survive, which left him to confront his own mortality as the rest of the team went to work. Demonstrating an emotional depth that NCIS viewers had yet to see from Tony, the episode highlights a side of the character that was deeply emotional and incredibly resilient.
9
NCIS Season 3 Episode 9
“Frame-Up”
An episode that brings the audience into a crime, NCIS season 3 episode 9, “Frame-Up”, sees Tony as the prime suspect in a murder investigation that harkens back to his time as a police officer in Baltimore. With the evidence mounting against Tony, Gibbs and the rest of the team have to work to prove his innocence. This episode is unique in the way it has no choice but to revisit Tony’s past, which allows viewers into a part of his life we haven’t seen before. Getting more information about Tony’s roots is a quintessential part of building his character.
8
NCIS Season 7 Episode 1
“Truth or Consequences”
Tony was an NCIS character that’s often brought in for comic relief, despite the fact that he’s a highly capable agent in his own right. His relationship with Ziva is also one of the bright spots of his character, and in NCIS season 7 episode 1, “Truth or Consequences”, that relationship mixed with his abilities to follow a case through combine effortlessly. After being kidnapped and held overseas for months, Tony, Gibbs, and McGee (Sean Murray) go on a rescue mission to find Ziva. This episode highlights both Tony’s skill and his deep feelings for Ziva in a beautiful hour.
7
NCIS Season 7 Episode 12
“Flesh and Blood”
Another major milestone for NCIS was bringing in the agents’ families, including Tony’s much-discussed father, Anthony DiNozzo, Sr. (Robert Wagner). While Tony’s relationship with his dad was never something to be envious of, the significance of it was always top of mind when Tony talked about his family. NCIS season 7 episode 12, “Flesh and Blood”, finally introduced Sr. and saw the tension between Tony and his father on display. Giving viewers a deeper understanding of where Tony’s general issues and defense mechanisms come from, NCIS’ origin episode surrounding one of the most important relationships in his life was huge.
6
NCIS Season 8 Episode 22
“Baltimore”
Exploring Tony’s past in a deeper way than ever before, NCIS season 8 episode 22, “Baltimore”, is widely regarded as one of the most important Tony-centric episodes in the show’s history. Through flashbacks, the episode looks at Tony’s final days as a police officer in Baltimore, bringing his origin story to life. Reframing years of character development that ultimately make Tony seem like even more of an interesting character than he did before, NCIS uses the episode to cement Tony’s connection to NCIS as well as his relationship with Ziva. Giving viewers a different perspective, the episode is a must-watch.
5
NCIS Season 10 Episode 10
“You Better Watch Out”
NCIS season 10 episode 10, “You Better Watch Out”, puts Tony in a strange position after he meets a young boy who leaves him reflecting on his own upbringing and the circumstances around it. With an investigation that leads Tony into a totally different lane than he’s usually in, the episode sees him develop a personal connection with the child, which isn’t the norm for the jokester. With an early glimpse into the way Tony will eventually be as a parent in the future, the episode is one that sees the NCIS agent confronting his own past and eventual future.
4
NCIS Season 11 Episode 2
“Past, Present, and Future”
While the episode isn’t necessarily a milestone for Tony, NCIS season 11 episode 2, “Past, Present, and Future” removes a huge piece of his puzzle on the series. As Tony travels to find Ziva, who went into hiding after the NCIS season 10 finale, the pair finally confront their long-held feelings for one another, but when she chooses not to return to DC with him to continue their lives together, Tony faces a great loss. Marking the end of a massive chapter of Tony’s life, NCIS season 11’s early episode is a key component of his journey on the show.
3
NCIS Season 13 Episode 24
“Family First”
In Tony’s final appearance on NCIS during his original run, he confronts a potential loss and finds himself taking on a whole new role, marking the end of a major chapter in his life. NCIS season 13 episode 24, “Family First”, sees Tony discovering that Ziva has potentially perished in a fire, and the only survivor appears to be her daughter, who unbeknownst to Tony, is his daughter, too. Tali, who’s brought to Tony in the US, quickly becomes the most important person in his life, pushing Tony to leave the highly dangerous lifestyle of the MCRT behind for good.
2
NCIS: Tony & Ziva Season 1 Episode 1
“No Country is Safe”
In NCIS: Tony & Ziva’s exciting premiere episode, which covers the present day as well as the stretch of time after Ziva finally came out of hiding until the present, the series establishes where Tony and Ziva both are in their current lives. Living in Paris, co-parenting, and struggling with their feelings for one another, the spinoff’s premiere opens with Tony embroiled in a life-threatening case despite being the head of a security firm in his new life. Establishing the passage of time and the new way of life for the characters, NCIS: Tony & Ziva’s premiere brings viewers up to speed.
1
NCIS: Tony & Ziva Season 1 Episode 10
“Full Circle”
After an intense season that saw Tony and Ziva have to use their skills to maneuver around a life-threatening conspiracy that put their lives and their daughter’s life in danger, NCIS: Tony & Ziva came to a close with a great finale. Bringing Tony and Ziva together after they finally reach the conclusion of the criminal conspiracy they’re at the center of, the former flames finally rekindle their long-dormant romance with the blessing of their daughter. With the finale taking them to a whole new place, Tony’s NCIS return will shed new light on their long-standing relationship despite de Pablo’s absence.
- Release Date
-
September 23, 2003
- Showrunner
-
Donald P. Bellisario
- Directors
-
Dennis Smith, Terrence O’Hara, Tony Wharmby, James Whitmore Jr., Thomas J. Wright, Michael Zinberg, Arvin Brown, Rocky Carroll, Diana Valentine, Leslie Libman, Tawnia McKiernan, Colin Bucksey, William Webb, Bethany Rooney, Alrick Riley, Jeff Woolnough, Alan J. Levi, Lionel Coleman, Martha Mitchell, Peter Ellis, Michael Weatherly, Edward Ornelas, Stephen Cragg, Tom Wright
- Writers
-
George Schenck, Frank Cardea, Jesse Stern, John C. Kelley, Jennifer Corbett, Christopher Silber, Reed Steiner, Nicole Mirante-Matthews, Jack Bernstein, Scott J. Jarrett, Matthew R. Jarrett, Kimberly-Rose Wolter, Don McGill, Gil Grant, Frank Military, Nell Scovell, Steven Kriozere, Brian Dietzen, Kate Torgovnick May, Jeff Vlaming, Sydney Mitchel, Katie White, Richard C. Arthur, Laurence Walsh
-
Sean Murray
Timothy McGee
-
David McCallum
Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard
