Hi! 

We’re talking about this scene/moment & reaction 

Yes, Ziva also seems a bit “surprised” at the news. Like…they’re friends, and they work so closely together, and they’ve all been working on this big case together, and she hasn’t heard that Tim’s met someone, and like she also wonders when did he have the time. Kind of like that. It also seems to me like she’s curious about this development (both Tony and Ziva seem to catch on the little “personal” line - it meaning Tim got personal while getting the secret info needed for the case). Like she wants to know when it happened, and how, and who she is. (like did he know her before, and got the info thanks to that, or did he met her while getting the info). But I am not really sure what her expression is really saying. 

Like she’s half surprised at the news, and half interested in the news. Half surprised at when McGee had the time for any personal “life” during the latest big case (the last week or so), and half curious about if Tim  knew the girl before or just met her.  

So, sadly, dear anon, I do not have a good answer to your question.

But the scene was interesting. And intriguing. 

FYI: The moment we’re talking about is from this scene: 

Ziva does not approve of mixing work with dating… kinda…it looks. She’s no impressed at Tim charming some girl to get secret information, and at the boys talking girls while working on the case. 

It kind of looks like that to me. But I’m not sure if those *head on shoulder*  and *head shake*  reactions also mean that Ziva has a bad feeling about this girl being just another on the long line of girl McGee’s liked, but which do not turn out good…ever…for him. 

PS. Even though it is possible Delilah has been Tim’s contact in DoD for a while (because as we’ve seen/heard, especially in season 10, McGee’s got a contact in every single department and agency there is), I think she just only became his “contact” during the past weeks. During the investigation of the latest case, and after Parsons appeared to NCIS to investigate them. That is a week, or two-three the most. I read from McGee’s face that his smile was his usual “just met a pretty girl” and that tells me he’s only known the woman for max few weeks. So there really hasn’t even been time (because of the case and all) to share this information with others. 

Yes, I believe that the team spends time together outside work at times, but their work is very demanding and they most likely don’t get to hang out together every week. But just like it’s been hinted many times over seasons that McGee and Abby spend time together outside work and talk, it’s been also hinted that McGee and Ziva are also very good friends, and spend time together sometimes. And as they also kind of have some things similar (a powerful father, both are kind of private about their personal lives, etc), I do believe they also talk about things, and their lives with each other. That is the impression I’ve gotten from the show. 

GIFs by fuckyeahncisgifs

Anyone got any better thoughts on the scene and what Ziva’s  reaction said? Or even what Tim’s smile/smugness is telling? 

• Love McGee’s “not telling you”  look and really wanting to tell! lol
• Love Timmy’s genuine smile full of smugness. 
• Love Ziva’s disapproving head-shake and look (and how she puts her head on McGee’s shoulder)  
• Love the forehead kiss. Bromance win! 
• Love Tim’s reaction to the forehead kiss. NEVER. DO. THAT. AGAIN. 
• Love & LOL at “Her name’s Delilah” …” My, my, my Delilah” … 

Hi, I’m Jo and I want to express just a few thoughts. I think the show is developing relationships one at a time. I mean, fans already know the feelings that Tim and Abby have for each other, because they have already been together in the past, now the show should just put them back together. For Tony and Ziva, a clarification was necessary because they were never together. Already in their first fight in episode 1x22, we know that in their relationship,  Abby is the one that fails to fully express her feelings.

Abby loves McGee and that is why she does not come back with him, because she is afraid of hurting him, since she already knows what McGee looks for in a relationship, but she was still not sure to give this to him. When they met, Abby was the girl who went to parties and did not disdain casual sex, but now after 10 years they have grown up. McGee was always the one who wanted a serious relationship.

I do not know if you noticed that Abby is less dark lately and there are strong references to her maternal instinct (which was entirely improbable at the beginning of the show), while there are fewer references to occasional boyfriends, now that both have exceeded the 35’s (I’m not sure for Abby but McGee is 35 years old), Abby is ready to really fall in love with someone.

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Hi, Jo! 

Thank you for the message. I am sharing it with everyone. 

I basically agree with you. 

Yes, it’s always been more about Abby getting on the same page as McGee’s been since they met. It’s always been mostly about her getting over her “commitment issues”  and as Jerry put it in 8x10 “thinking it’s too soon to meet the one and settle down”  or rather knowing she’s met him, but not being ready to admit it. 

Hailey Murray put it nicely, I think:  

Abby is a child-like spirit, yes, but a wounded one. She’s very guarded. Scared to get close? Affection from Gibbs is safe. Affection from McGee might lead to something more, so she blocks it. Does that make sense? I think her job is her life & the team is her family. She doesn’t want to risk that even though she obviously cares for McGee. I have no doubt she has a little place in her heart for McGee she doesn’t have for the others. Maybe one day she’ll get brave! Or McGee gets tired waiting and calls her on it. Both would be bold moves from their characters. I just think they have to evolve a little more for that ship to happen… don’t think it’s impossible. Time! 

(in short: either Abby stops being scared to take that final step - after getting a final push - or McGee stops waiting for it to happen, and gives her the final push - basically makes a move “I want an answer now”).

PS. During the summer I think I’ll share some of her views on the show and ship.  As well as some other news about the show from recent days, and months…announced via twitter, etc. 

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Yes, I’ve noticed the subtle changes in Abby. Including her wardrobe/appearance. Yes, she has become less  ”dark”  and since I strongly believe she expresses herself also though her clothes and appearance, I believe it all points to her evolving and …if you wish … “growing up”. 

I agree on the Abby being ready. But I also see that she’s a bit ”scared” of taking that final step, and admitting it. Though in my eyes she’s ready. The adoption story line was basically the last step, I’d say. Why they didn’t let her ” be brave”, I do not know understand.  

Yep, McGee is around 35. From a season 7 screencap it seems quite certain that he was born in September 1978 (making him about  a year younger than the actor portraying him). Which means currently, in 2013, McGee is 34, and will turn 35 this autumn in the NCIS universe. Abby is supposed to be a bit younger (much younger than the actress portraying her) as if we go by the NCISLA (season 1 episode where Abby visited LA), she was in late 20s then, meaning maximum 29, and that was 4 years ago, meaning she’s supposed to be around 33. And we know her birthday is sometime late winter or spring time (her birthday was in the episode 3x17) Of course tv shows sometimes play around with characters ages, among other personal facts, but this is the current info we have on the character ages. 

sharing your thoughts with everyone 

Part 2. Had a lovely talk with the awesome Keryl about McGee/Abby a while back, really opened my eyes. Both have been a part of the show/Team since the beginning, well Tim almost since the beginning. Tim/Sean doesn’t get an awful lot of screen time and Abby/Pauley even less compared to Gibbs/Ziva/Tony. As Keryl said they are the heroes, they save the day most of the time. Both Tim and Abby are very different from them, they have other powers. 

They get to shine when a supergeek is needed to crack the case. Oops, I’m losing focus here, sorry ‘bout that…What was it I wanted to say??? Right, now I remember. Why not get them together and make at least a very small portion of the fandom happy? How hard and difficult can it be to put them in a room together and have them make out with each other?! Most fans are McAbby-friendly at the very least, so nobody would mind too much, I think.

It’s not like they’d suddenly become the center of attention just because they got their crap together and finally “got there”. It wouldn’t ruin the team dynamic. We’d hear about it for two seconds and then move on. Maybe it’d be mentioned every other episode and just maybe we’d even get to see something like a kiss, I mean a real one *faints*. But yeah, I know, it’d be boring with no drama at all and no more questioning of “will they, won’t they?”.

But hey, screw that, ‘cause I’m uber-ready for McAbby getting their crap together and stop with the dang back and forth and jealousy trips and all this s***. I’m getting so impatient and I’m losing my temper but I’m not holding my breath anymore. That’s never a good sign, it means that I’m losing interest in my OTP and that sucks so much :(. If the worst happens and they continue to drag it out or forget about McAbby all together, then I’ll just stick to fanfiction. 

That’s what keeps me from losing it completely *lol*. Um, about this friends with benefits thing. I’m so very sure that they’ve been under cahoots (*hehe*) a long time after they “broke up”. Maybe even still, dunno… Even though it’s not exactly OOC for Tim, I mean he is a damn attractive man and probably likes getting some action, I think it’s just not enough for him. He’s not a very casual guy, I’m going out on a limb here saying that he wants to get married and all that jazz.

Part 3. Weird, tumblr told me to slow down and wait an hour before continuing, but it’s only been like twenty mins…how strange. Okay, so, Tim really doesn’t strike me as the kind of man who’d be content just being friends with benefits with a woman forever. He’s so ready, he’s not the cute green kid from ten years ago anymore. He wants to settle down and have kids, I guess. We all know he’s found the right woman for that already, but she needs some reality check. 

And possibly a good kick in the pants, uhm Delilah, anyone?… ;) Oh well, I’m all outta words now… But just aaaw to the last part of your reply. Yes, that’s a very Keryl thing to come up with. And how freakishly awesome would that be?! Gotta love her headcanon, pure win! Wow, sorry you have to read my crazy brain fart. It sure is fun to get it all out. Thanks so much for putting up with my insanity. You are the very best, my dear. And feel free to post the damn thing. Love, Doreen

JUST POSTING THIS TO SHARE WITH OTHER FANS. 

I don’t have anything to add really (anymore) I’ve already posted so much of my thoughts these past days. I’ll save you all from more.  

As I’ve said I don’t get the TV people’s “fear”  of canon ships meaning focus of the show will shift. In my eyes the writers have the power and they can make it work, if they just want to (read: if networks will allow them to). But I guess “frustrating”  and dramatic story lines draw more audience than happy and steady and  normal” (no edge) storylines. Even if they’d be in the back only, and main focus on main story and hero would remain the same. I guess people have so much happy and steady in their lives that they prefer something different on screen (unlike me, I like my fiction also happy and slow paced) 

Just that I guess I really am not a writer and hence don’t see things from a TV writers viewpoint. I’ll forever be puzzled about the tv writers pov (ships take focus from main topic…um… while teasing ships doesn’t? Where’s the logic?), but that’s just life for you. Two different views, two different ways of thinking and seeing things.  Mine (that a few other fans kinda share), and/VS the Hollywood networks preferences. 

In short: I get you. I agree with you. But we all should just accept that NCIS cannot be written the way we like. The show was created, and built in a way that does not allow them basically to take a route we’d love to see on screen. It might be sad, but it’s true. All fans can do, is just sit back, and enjoy the ride (or skip the ride until a certain point) and hope that they’d get enough more seasons to wrap up the story and the ships in a not rushed way. For that NCIS needs in my opinion at least 3 more seasons (no less than 13 seasons total). Any less than 3 more seasons means rushed ending. 2 more seasons is absolute minimum if they get one ship together latest mid-season 11. Meaning they start working on it right as S11 starts. (Having Abby go though her yearly adoption story line emotions, plus all the events in past years, plus team break up, and possibly Tim’s possible serious relationship, and having that finally get her over her commitment fears that she supposedly still has)  I’m still on the McAbby goes canon second, Tiva third (Brenmmy was first) boat. And show ends with Gibbs letting go of Shannon (whether he finds a new love or not) and most likely resigning or just changing jobs inside NCIS. 

EDITED TO ADD: Yep, as far as I’ve seen most casual fans don’t much mind McAbby. Most people seem to find them cute, so keeping them on background, as canon, would not be such a big problem to most casual viewers as IMO getting the main ship, Tiva, who are built mostly on the UST thing and nothing else, together. 

Agree with you on Keryl. I love people who have great imagination, and can also write a story around ideas (I might get the ideas - bones, but I cannot form the story/the meat around them) So glad there are people like her who write also fanfic. That helps fans like me get through the real canon of the shows. lol

I feel a bit bad to have sent her many messages today, but love her take on things, and I really needed someone with a writers mind to try to explain to a simple viewer/reader like me things from a different perspective. 

:)

High5 to you and all McAbby fans! 

(cont’d) I saw the gif where Tim told Tony and Ziva her name and the way Ziva was dropping her head on Tim’s shoulder and shaking her head got me thinking. Maybe Ziva knows or has the impression that it’s most likely going to be another train wreck for McGee and that he’s wasting his time. Or maybe she’s a perfectly nice and sweet woman who actually appreciates and likes Tim for who he is? Guess we’ll find out, ‘cause apparently they’re gonna keep her around, GG’s words, not mine.  

But maybe it’s Tim being sneaky and hitting on women to get information he wants/needs? Though, that sounds just all wrong and not like anything Tim would ever do…But, who knows? With the DoD being involved and all the crap going on, maybe that woman comes in handy to serve as a well of information. And really, Tim is not as innocent as he may look ;). I still ship McAbby sooo hard, but the last 2 seasons passed without any progress. 

I still think that 8x24 would have been the perfect set up for a McAbby reunion. Tim laid all his feelings out there for Abby, even without actually saying them. And nothing happened… I’m a half-step away from giving up on them ever becoming canon on the show. This ‘ship is just so frustrating, *gah*, but they’re so cute and adorable… I’m really torn between giving up and staying put. Maybe it is time for McGee to try and find love elsewhere, though it saddens me so much.

 I just hope that this Delilah person isn’t another whacko, nut-job or assassin taking our beloved geek for all he’s worth and then some. Do we really have to wait four months for the next season??? It’s going to kill me, way too much time to obsess over all the possibilities. Getting my hopes up just so that certain people (I’m looking at you GG) can shatter and destroy them over and over while laughing and enjoying it… Sorry for the incessantly long rant. Love and hugs

Part two of my ramblings. I was hoping for a real getting back together arc, at least something more and better than pulling off this crap… More proof that tptb don’t give a damn about McAbby and their fans. Tiva gets progress and they are getting there, much to my dismay ;). It’ been TEN freaking years, there’ve been about a gazillion opportunities to put McAbby in a romantic relationship with each other. Part three is coming ;)

Part three is on. If they give us Abby being jealous and bitching around or acting like she’s totally fine with it, I’m gonna scream and throw a fit!! I want it to trigger something in her, so she’ll get her butt in gear and go after her man. The ball has always been in her court, so either they move forward together or they should say goodbye for good. This back and forth and going in circles is getting very old and tiring. I’ve had enough of this. End part three…

Part four (hopefully the last). If they do play the jealousy card, they better make it real good. It’ll totally cheapen the meaning of their getting back together and I’m gonna bawl my eyes out if it happens off screen. I mean all their relation-shippy stuff happened off screen, we’ve never seen them kiss for crying out loud… UGH, GG is such a troll…Why a new love interest NOW?! This show ruins my mental health and breaks my heart, but I can’t stop watching *HELP*. Phew, done, for now. D.

MY REPLY: 

Yeah, I did not expect them to do this either at this stage of the game/story. But honestly, it makes perfect sense in US TV world. A serious love interest is always used close to the end, there’s rarely any shows that don’t get their ships together by having one part of the ship have a serious (I’m gonna marry that girl/guy) love interest that will lead to the main ships final hookup, because the “almost losing the perfect the one” will open their eyes. This is what I fear the most they’ll use Delilah for. To make McAbby happen. And honestly, to me that is the worst scenario. 

So…I am hoping she’s another Amanda, Maxine, crazy credit-card-stealing neighbour… as in we hear (did in 10x24) that McGee has met someone he really likes, and then it either ends on screen a few episodes later because she turns out to be not what he thought or ends quietly off screen and we never hear from her again.

What would make this Delilah even a bit acceptable and interesting for me would be if her name would be a clue and she’s trouble. Like something like I mentioned in my long posts over the weekend (that she’s working with Parsons really, or is getting back at Parsons  by giving information about him to his lookalike McGee and using him). That, to  me, would be at least a bit interesting. Compared to all the other options I could think (see: poll) they could take the story with her (and Tim).  All other to me are not only boring, but also annoying. Maybe they wouldn’t be if I hadn’t watched the show before and seen the same scenarios used before or watched too many TV series before and seen the same tricks used before too many times. To a new TV viewer the story might be interesting to watch, but to me it won’t…if it’s what I “fear” it will be like. 

I agree on that Timmy smile. It seemed genuine. As I said in my other posts - it looked to me like McGee’s usual genuine smile, when he’s met someone whom he likes. And yes, there was a smirk in it. And some smugness, too. 

I already mentioned my thoughts on Ziva’s reaction during the “Her name’s Delilah” scene. I do think she was disapproving of more of the fact that McGee’s using unofficial sources for information. And that the guys are talking about girls and “conquers”. at work, rather than her just disapproving of McGee having a “girlfriend”.  Though it is possible Ziva’s headshake partly means that she doesn’t think the relationship will work, considering how it started - McGee charming the girl for the info, and the girl falling for it. And end like all other work-related dates McGee’s had. 

Yep, it’s most likely we’ll meet this Delilah in season 11. Not sure if we’ll get to know her, but we’ll at least probably see her on screen. And I do not know either which route they’ll take with the McGee/Delilah thing, but fans will see it in autumn. And yes, you really have to wait like 4 months to find out. Though there might be some spoilers out already in (end of)  July when they start filming the new season. ;)

I agree with you about the Season 8 finale. That, in my opinion, was the perfect moment. Nothing before or after that came/comes as close. Season 10 and my crazy secret dating theory would have been kinda acceptable to me, too. But it honestly makes me sad that the “if anything ever happened to you…” moment was just another scripted thing to keep the viewer interest, not an actual part of the “get them together” plan. It does make me sad that TV is so very rating oriented, and fireworks and explosions, and big events and twists and all are done just to “go bigger, louder…”  rather than the big events actually be a flowing part of the story.  It’s a sad moment when I realize that another one of my favourite shows is just following the usual Hollywood series writing structure. Yet deep down I know they all do this. And yet, I keep hoping one day one show doesn’t. (I’m in denial! LOL)  

Yes, they are so cute and adorable. But sadly, they’re all that..in the past few seasons…MOSTLY off-screen. We know they’re their usual adorable them at work and outside work when together in the same room, but we just haven’t seen that on screen lately. So…all fans/shippers have are the old DVDs and episodes which they watch and re-watch endlessly to get the dose of the cuteness that is McAbby. 

Yep, this ship, even though it’s never been much about drama and big on screen things, is frustrating! In TV writers minds that is what makes a ship interesting, and what keeps the viewers tune in and be along for the ride. Sadly I am not the typical TV viewer according to the polls that have given them the TV people the idea that this is what viewers like and look for in a series. 

PT 2 Didn’t most of us look forward to that? An actual getting back together plan, using all the huge events from past 2-3 seasons (ever since Mike Franks death they have been in so much personal and professional difficult situations) as a catalyst to start the story of McAbby getting back together. 

Now…Tiva…as much as it seems they will continue with them as strongly as they did this past season or so, I still do not think they’ll be canon before last season. I believe the Tiva dance - 3 steps closer, 5 steps back will continue. So I still believe they’re making McAbby canon first and Tiva only at the end of series. No matter how much it looks opposite right now on screen and to many fans. 

How about this thought, that the lovely Keryl shared with me (I have had the feeling that this is true, and has been happening even after season 2, when I am certain it was happening) - McAbby have been friends with benefits this whole time. Ever since the series began, ever since their “break-up” that most likely happened sometime between episodes 1x23 and 2x01. To me it made perfect sense in season 2, and it’s been my headcanon. But it also looked very much so in season 4, and not only. I do not think it is OOC for either of them. And Abby has said on screen that “a man and a woman can be just friends, if there’s se* involved” in an episode in season 2. The writers could totally make this canon, because it has never been said on screen when they broke up, how they broke up, why they broke up, and what their relationship status is. Everything has been kept off screen. And they both act extremely possessive,  protective, and jealous towards the other all the time (at least did until last season, after that we haven’t seen anything on screen)  more than just friends would IMO. So that’s totally possible. 

You can (and seems you already have) read about what I think the possible paths the writers will take the Delilah story are, and what I think they’ll do, in my previous posts from the past days.  Like you, I can see the many possible options, but am still uncertain which one they’ll take. Though I have my “main suspects”. 

But…how about I leave you with this wonderful thought, also from Keryl, about how NCIS will end: 

Of course, in my headcannon, these stories (the whole show) are the books, Gemcity is the real guy, McGee is the character, and this is the story line he’s writing. And in the end, we’ll pull back, see him typing away, telling Amy (who he clearly lives with, we’ll see matching wedding rings) that’s he’s finished another one, and they’ll kiss or something, and that’ll be McAbby’s happy ending. 

How about that as an ending to the series? 

And with that happy story/note I’ll also finish my long  reply to you. 

:)