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« Cote's NCIS Blog
May 1, 2007: "In the Dark"
Since this particular episode was shot this month, that makes it easier to remember. One thing I must say about "In the Dark" — and I am sure the rest of the NCIS family would agree — is that we got to work with some tremendously talented guest actors. John Billingsley was a joy to watch and work with; he played the coolest blind man I have ever seen on TV.
Another thing that sticks out in my memory, aside from the fact that we all worked with John, was a scene that I had with Michael Weatherly. Every once in a while you get these scenes — these meaty, beefy scenes — that are filled with little moments of truth where you get an inside look at the character's heart. It's a long scene that takes place after Ziva overhears a "personal" conversation Tony is having with his girlfriend, played by the oh-so-cool Scottie Thompson. This season has been weird for Ziva regarding her "feelings" for Tony. I don't even know what she feels exactly, but I know that she's confused, for lack of a better word. I think that whatever she feels, she fights, and it comes out in many different and (at times) funny ways. But this moment was not particularly funny. Ziva basically tells Tony that he needs to defeat his fears and fight for what he loves. I think this is hard for her to do. But so be it. It needs to be done 'cause DiNozzo needs to hear it from someone who can see right through him. This, I believe, is the No. 1 thing between these two people: Under all of it, under all the jokes and the work, there is a mutual, unspoken understanding and genuine respect. With all of this, it was a hard scene to shoot.
You should all know that Michael loves to laugh. You should also know that Michael laughs a lot when he is uncomfortable. It becomes his personal struggle to keep it together, but the laughter creeps up and you see him fight it. And it is definitely a fight. It is one of the most incredible things to watch when you see him fight it. I, for one, have never seen someone sweat or get as red as Michael does when he is about to break, and the truth is that when this is happening, you simply can't help yourself. The laughter defeats you and you succumb to his weakness — a weakness we all love and adore. Watching Michael laugh is actually one of my favorite things. I once made him laugh so hard that he started choking on a grapefruit — and watching him go through the struggle of breathing made me laugh even harder.
Because this scene was so delicate and so sincere, it was hard for both of us to really keep the throughline. I think we succeeded in the end and did our job. We told the story. I watched the scene not long ago. I specifically asked to see that scene. They cut a lot of it, including my favorite moment — when Ziva says to Tony that "life is not safe," which comes from a very real place for her. I think it is all still there — the love, the concern and, above all, the friendship.
Get more NCIS on the show's official site.
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Apr 30, 2007 1:33 PM
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Cote - thank you for an obviously intelligent and heart-felt blog!
NCIS is one of my must-see TV shows and Ziva is my one of my favorite charactors. I have said on occasion that Ziva is the female version of Jack Bauer - which is a huge compliment in my book!
I am really looking forward to this weeks episode - even more so thanks to your blog!
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Apr 30, 2007 6:43 PM
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Cote:
Thank you so much for sharing that with us. Michael Weatherly loves to laugh. That is so kewl to know.
Thank you for all you give us through Ziva. She is an amazing character that is brought to life for us through the talent of yourself and the writers. She has been a wonderful addition to one of my already favorite series.
"Life is not safe." So true. Sorry to hear they cut that out, but thanks for letting us know that Ziva said this to Tony. It's so 'Ziva'.
Thanks.
Marla R Reed, Reporter
Eclipse Magazine
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May 1, 2007 9:35 AM
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Thank you Cote! Tony and Ziva are my favorite characters so I am really looking forward to see this scene. And the whole episode of course.
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May 1, 2007 2:08 PM
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Thank you for that, Cote... I cannot wait to watch "In the Dark" tonight. You are a wonderful actress. Keep it up!
Always a NCIS fan,
~NCISfanatic. :D
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May 1, 2007 2:08 PM
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What a great episode. NCIS is my only must see program. Your cast is great.
I very much enjoy watching Tony and Ziva's friendship grow and that is due to you and Michael.
I, too, am sorry that the line "Life is not safe" was cut as it seems to fit in with the Tony/Jeanne storyline.
As for Michael and laughing. It's been a pleasure to watch Michael to struggle with Tony being more serious. It's very genuine.
Thank you for your blog and my best to everyone, cast and crew.
Joni
USN-R
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May 2, 2007 10:04 AM
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Cote --- Kudos to you and the entire cast for such an engaging show. I really feel that you are all part of a very cohesive team and it really shows onscreen. Each of you plays your role with such energy and truth, it's great fun to watch and often rather emotional as well. A perfect blend of humor, angst, truth, excitement and general fun ... much like life!
I love when Ziva messes up the cliches and other funny American sayings ... and I love when Tony and McGee correct her. Classic.
Keep up the fantastic work!
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May 2, 2007 2:14 PM
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Thank you for the insight to what it took to film that special moment between you and Michael. Maybe they'll add the cut scenes to the DVD but what was shown on tv was very touching.
Marcella
www.CarolBurnettFan.com
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May 3, 2007 7:45 AM
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Thanks for taking the time to share with us. Season 4 has only just recently begun here in the UK, but these little glimpses make my husband and myself even more excited about the shows to come! Keep up all your great work!
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May 3, 2007 2:09 PM
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Dear Cote,
Thanks alot for sharing your feelings about this scene and about the show in general. I hope you will continue doing that. You are quite fascinating as Ziva and I think most of us NCIS fans are dying to figure out how deep the DiNozzo connection goes. It's clear that Ziva cares deeply for him. The way she started obsessing about his potential health problems as a way to explain his sudden disappearances (actually visits to Mlle Jeanne) made that clear. Their scene this week brought out her feelings for him again. She's obviously the still waters that run deep type---when the emotions do surface, in spite of her training and her personal style, they read with great power and provide some of the show's most fulfilling moments.
What I wonder about is whether the characters have had a previous sexual connection. Wasn't that suggested during the season premiere when it came out that surveillance showed they were getting together on a weekly basis...for some purpose not specified in the script?
If they had had this ongoing sexual relationship, even if they had worked hard to keep it light, physical, recreational, wouldn't it be difficult for a deeply sensitive woman like Ziva to just go from 60 to zero and not have significant emotional fallout? In spite of herself? Certainly that history would complicate Ziva's feelings and increase her ambivalence. Sometimes when people feel most aloof and defended they will inadvertently let down their guard and ZAP! here we go again!
Keep up the great work---best to you all---and enjoy your hiatus!
Tom Edwards
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May 4, 2007 1:51 PM
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Cote,
I would just like to state, for the record, that I disregard with certainty the gossip put forth by a member of the TV Guide writing staff.
We all now know that Mr. Bellisario is leaving as an active member of the wonderful show he created BUT that is all we know. The rest is petty, mean-spirited gossip and if even remotely true should never have been made public.
I, for one, applaud both Don, Mark and everyone at NCIS for not commenting on this story.
Best Regards,
Joni
USN-R
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May 7, 2007 4:19 PM
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Cote,
Just as a brief aside, I love that an actress is taking time out of the -16 hours of shooting a day- schedule you have to write what is a very articulate and interesting blog. On the last of this particular note, I hope this blog is not the last we see of you.
After friends noted my similar attitude and my interest in law enforcement, they aptly nicknamed me 'dunnozzo' - a sad pun on their part (my last name being 'dunn') - which of course meant I could ignore NCIS no longer. I must say I have been very impressed with the way you and Michael have portrayed your characters, and like them a fair bit - as far as one can with a fictional being I suppose. The particular scene brought to mind on commenting on the two of you together is the aforementioned scene between you and Michael after a conversation with his 'girlfriend'.
While I am in no way as experienced in the ways of movies as my part-namesake, I must confess to having been highly impressed with what I thought was a fine piece of acting from you and Michael, so kudos indeed for that.
It seems that there is a fair bit of interesting dialogue going on which we, the audience never get to see (and sadly which we Australians never see as there are no bonus features in our DVD series collections).
But I find myself rambling now, with little more to say than 'bravo' and 'encore' - keep up the great work!
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May 9, 2007 7:49 AM
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Dear Cote:
I greatly appreciate the time you take to post your blog. I know your work schedule is hectic, but it means a lot to all of us NCIS fanatics when you make the effort to give more insight into the show. Having had the honor of meeting you last year when the episode "Bait" was filmed at my school, I would just like to let you know that I think you are a warm person and an amazingly talented and adaptable actress. You and your costars never fail to impress, and it's great to know that you mesh well together, in however crazily dysfunctional a manner. 
You do an amazing job of protraying the different levels of Ziva David. I am looking forward to watching your character's relationship with Dinozzo and the rest of the team develop in the coming seasons. Thanks for your hard work, and enjoy your summer break!
K
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May 12, 2007 1:05 AM
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I want to thank you, your fellow cast and the crew for another fabulous season! I now have the first 3 seasons on the DVD's and will patiently wait for the fourth season to come out. What I enjoy as much as the episodes is the interviews. Hope ya' all have a great summer!!!
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May 12, 2007 1:51 PM
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Cote, thank you so much for a wonderful blog. NCIS is one of my favourite shows and I'm glad that there's as much chemistry and fun off-screen as there is on-screen. Nice to know that Michael is a joker too
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May 14, 2007 5:52 PM
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