17x10 The North Pole

Well, dunk me in flour and call me a biscuit, cuz, I did NOT see THAT coming, although, it opens up some interesting possibilities for a potential path to Gibbs eventual retirement epilogue when he finally decides to call it a wrap. Kind of a shaky start to the episode with Bishop going Sith and "renegotiating the deal", with a quip that IRL would probably have resulted in a single tap to her noggin, but for her actions unwittingly being part of "the plan" all along.

As to the question of will she or won't she go full on rogue, and accept the invitation to "get some special training" from an off the books blackish ops organization seems like another silly attempt to bolster Bishops "street cred" and make her more interesting. Sorry kid, but Ziva you will NEVER be.

After coming to know the character Ziva for all those previous years, and, being known her calm under fire, it was almost comical to watch Cote De Pablo attempting to act harried and panicked in the basement scene, but poignant at the revelation that there was an unrequited paramour, willing "lay down his life" for her, but, all the while knowing, it could never be mutual. Motivation explained,... loose end wrapped.

Perhaps Michael Weatherly can take a break from playing Dr. Phil, and grace us with an appearance before Ziva and family ride off into the sunset, though, hopefully not for the last time.

Not the usual "God bless us every one" NCIS Xmas episode, but, enjoyable nonetheless, and, a nice setup for next year, without being an overt cliffhanger.