Cote de Pablo Exits 'NCIS' in 'Bittersweet' Ending (Spoiler Alert)

Cote de Pablo's time on "NCIS" ended Tuesday as her character Ziva David appeared in her last episode of the CBS drama.

In a Casablanca-type ending, de Pablo's character said goodbye to Tony DiNozzo, played by Michael Weatherly, who had traveled to Israel to find her with hopes to bring her back to NCIS.

"What will I tell people?" DiNozzo asked. "That you were right," David answers. "That I have to start over."

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DiNozzo suggested that David call their boss, Gibbs, played by "NCIS" star Mark Harmon, who reminds Ziva, "He’s a functional mute. A good listener." The scene ends in a kiss and tears as the two depart.

"Remaining in Israel to find herself? Not entirely satisfying, especially for Tony," wrote HollywoodGossip.com. "The kiss was wonderful for fans who have yearned for it all these years, but it was immediately followed by Tony and Ziva parting ways at the airport. Bittersweet, mixed emotions there to say the least. It may have been the best way for Ziva to exit, but that didn't make it any easier or less confusing."

Fans on Twitter seemed to have an equally difficult time, fluctuating from wanting to have a proper parting of the ways to outright denial.

The fact that Tony and Ziva probably slept together after the orchard scene makes me want to cry then laugh and then cry some more.

— Whitney Wallaby (@ziver4x) October 2, 2013

NCIS 11x02 Tony and Ziva Kiss / Last Ziva Scene: http://t.co/lPJIwJIBwA via @youtube I am officially dead. Goodbye, leave me be for a bit

— Thalia (@itsThaliaXx) October 2, 2013

I think this was a poorly written ending to #Ziva We were built up for a short kiss and bye? Epic fail #NCIS You just lost this viewer.

— Jay Rowsey (@JayRowsey) October 2, 2013

"NCIS" is hoping to at least benefit rating-wise from the departure. The show was ranked as high as No. 6 in the Nielsen ratings in mid-September before de Pablo's two-part departure to open its new season.

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Related stories:

Emily Wickersham 'NCIS': Actress Chosen to Replace Cote de Pablo

Cote De Pablo Leaving NCIS Despite CBS Pleas for Her to Stay: Exec