Dinozzo's Return Solves NCIS Season 24’s Biggest Problem But With Major Sacrifices | Review

CBS opens NCIS season 24 with one of its strongest episodes in recent years, as "Wayward Son" honors the past and lays the foundation for its future.

Published Oct 6, 2026, 9:00 PM EDT

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NCIS opens season 24 with a strong episode that is defined by the homecoming of Michael Weatherly's Tony Dinozzo. Arguably one of the most exciting returns in CBS's fall 2026 lineup, the premier procedural is entering a fresh era with some big changes in Navy Yard. The death of Director Leon Vance in NCIS's 500th episode left a massive void in the organization, and while season 23 was able to get away with not filling the role with a permanent successor, showrunner Steven D. Binder knows that they can't stretch out the mystery any longer.

Aside from the agency's opening, the NCIS season 23 finale also set up a big personal and professional crossroads for Timothy McGee, in light of his son, Mateo's involvement in some shenanigans. Nick Torres caught it before he could get away with it, laying the groundwork for a reckoning in NCIS season 24. Luckily, the CBS procedural doesn't waste time in addressing both storylines, as by the end of "Wayward Son," they are pretty much resolved. What makes the episode particularly enjoyable, however, is its understanding of what NCIS now needs, as it approaches the end of its rebranding.

Tony Dinozzo's Return Brings The Stability That NCIS Season 24 Desperately Needs

NCIS season 24, episode 1 opens with a reframing of "Sons & Daughters," inserting Dinozzo into the equation. As it turns out, the former Very Special Agent has been involved in Nick's investigation of Matteo, and it was him that was shot in the season 23 finale. While CBS hyped up Weatherly's return to the flagship, nothing still compares to seeing him be involved in an actual storyline, not to mention his reunion with McGee. The pair's relationship was the backbone of NCIS's earliest years, and although the playfulness remains in their banters, it's clear that both have changed and evolved in the last decade since they were last officially part of MCRT.

Having Weatherly's playful and silly former Very Special Agent as Vance's successor is an inspired choice from Binder and the writing crew of NCIS season 24.

This is a great way to capitalize on the pair's relationship without making it feel like the show is just relying on nostalgia. Both characters have changed, and hopefully, that is further focused on moving forward, but seeing them bond over being fathers now is a great way to ground the series, especially as Dinozzo's new role as NCIS director might get in the way of that. Having Weatherly's playful and silly former Very Special Agent as Vance's successor is an inspired choice from Binder and the writing crew of NCIS season 24.

At this point, it would be hard-pressed to find anyone who would argue against his qualifications for the job, especially since he was directly mentored by Mark Harmon's Leroy Jethro Gibbs and had worked with every single person who has held his current job. It also quickly resolves the lingering threat brought by Gabriel LaRoche, although it's odd that the character seemed menacing in the NCIS season 23 finale operating like a headless horse during SecNav's crisis.

"Wayward Son" Sets Up The Most Exciting NCIS Season In A Long Time (But With Caveats)

CBS

Having Weatherly back in NCIS for a season-long arc effectively sets up the most exciting cycle for the show in years. While the procedural has never really lost its appeal, with its legion of fans embracing the newer member of MCRT, this is the first time in a while that the events of a season-opener don't just address the cliffhanger of its predecessor but lays the groundwork for its future. Whatever happens with Dinozzo's reign as the new NCIS director, the fact that he's back is already an exciting prospect, especially for long-time fans of the series. Couple that with the fact that Harmon is also back, albeit in NCIS: Origins, and it's understandable that there's hope for an old-school reunion.

That said, this bold move doesn't come without any trade-offs. For starters, choosing Dinozzo as the new director keeps McGee stuck — something that continues to be the issue with Sean Murray's character. With Alden Parker leading MCRT, there's really nowhere else for the character to go at this point. Even the position of Assistant Director, which he applied for a couple of seasons ago, doesn't seem to be in play anymore. Unless something changes in that regard, this means that Tim will continue to be Senior Field Agent for the foreseeable future, which is quite disappointing. If NCIS eventually decides to make him the director of the agency, however, it would have to come at another loss, since Dinozzo would have to step down and leave the agency, again.

Secondly, Dinozzo accepting the job in Washington DC means having to shift his focus from growing his company, or worse, leaving it altogether. This ties into his relationship with Ziva David, as now, he is bound to a job where he is not the top boss. Granted that Cote de Pablo's character apparently pushed for him to take the post, the fact is, this situation leads to them living separate lives for the most part. Not that they will split up again, but considering everything that they have already been through, it's sad to think that Dinozzo, Ziva, and Tali won't all be together. Hopefully, however, all their sacrifices end up being worth it.

NCIS season 24 airs every Tuesday, 8 PM ET, on CBS.