It's hard to see one of your favorite characters leave. Television fans hold their favorite characters in the highest regards. They create relationship with them. When you find your character on a particular program, you don't let go. You stand your ground no matter what anyone else says. That's your favorite character and nothing is going to change. So when that character leaves, whether they die or simply move on, it can be difficult. It can be heart wrenching. That's why many fans of "NCIS" are lamenting the loss of Cote de Pablo, who will be bidding farewell in the new season's early episodes.
Finally, after several weeks of silence, CBS addressed Pablo's devoted fans and provided more details on the inner workings of her departure.
"I really want to clarify: We offered Cote de Pablo a lot of money - and then we offered even more money," said CBS Corp. President and CEO Les Moonves on Monday morning at the Television Critics Association's' summer press tour. "We really didn't want to lose her, we love her. We think she's terrific. We obviously were in discussions... and ultimately she decided she didn't want to do the show. It was her decision. We don't like losing anybody. We did everything humanly possible [and] exhausted every opportunity, and she just decided she didn't want to do the show."
In a previous statement, Pablo addressed her departure but failed to provide fans with reason behind her decision. "I've had eight great years with 'NCIS' and Ziva David," Pablo said. "I have huge respect and affection for Mark [Harmon], Gary [Glasberg]. Michael [Weatherly], David [McCallum], Rocky [Carroll], Pauley [Perrette], Brian [Dietzen], Sean [Murray], all of the team and CBS. I look forward to finishing Ziva's story."
However, not all is lost. Pablo, whose contract expired at the end of season 10, will make an appearance at the onset of the upcoming season. She's making her brief return to conclude Ziva's story. Then it's time to say goodbye.
Fortunately, the goodbye won't be brisk. As previously reported, instead of making a one-off appearance, it looks like Pablo will stretch out her farewell stay. She will appear in several episodes, which suggests that her story will be properly wrapped instead of quickly tossed aside as an incomplete thought. Although Pablo may be anxious to move on, the show is in its 11th season afterall, it's promising to see that she and her producers found a solution that will cater to her adoring fans. Instead of taking the easy way out and putting a bullet between her eyes, they'll get to say a proper goodbye.
"NCIS" will return to CBS September 24.