‘NCIS’ Spoilers: How Will Season 14 Be Without Tony DiNozzo?

The season 13 finale of “NCIS” ended on a sad note, with the departure of Tony DiNozzo and the reported death of Ziva David. Then there’s the matter of DiNozzo learning that he has a 3-year-old little girl who now doesn’t have a mother. Now, fans are wondering how the team will move on without an integral part of the group.

Ecumenical News is calling the season 13 finale “one of the best finales and send-off ever given to a character,” referring to DiNozzo’s decision to stop being an NCIS agent upon learning he has a daughter. As showrunner Gary Glasberg explained via Twitter, becoming the single parent of a daughter who doesn’t even know you are is as good a reason as any to quit the job; particularly since the job is a dangerous one.

Glasberg also spoke to Deadline the morning after the finale to talk about the thoughts that went into the episode. Glasberg said that everything from the specific words spoken at specific times were carefully arranged so as to bring out the optimum dramatic effect. As to whether or not it worked, Glasberg said that “I leave it in the hands of our fantastic fans and audience.”

Regarding the direction and tone of the next season, Glasberg was quick to reassure fans that many of the familiar elements will remain. Mark Hamon is still in the game after all, and so is the rest of the family.

"We're actually excited as writers to have some new perspectives, to have some new characters come in, to be able switch it up and change things 14 seasons into a television show," he said.

The release date for season 14 of “NCIS” has not yet been announced by CBS. The show has also been confirmed to go on for two more seasons.