Source:
TV Guide [follow link for complete column]
TV GUIDE: Ask Matt: Thrones Unspoiled, Nurse Jackie, Mad Men, Orphan Black
Jun 10, 2013
by
Matt Roush
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...
Question: What is your opinion on the will they/won't they dynamics on the
NCIS franchise? I have enjoyed both the Tony/Ziva relationship on
NCIS as well as the Kensi/Deeks relationship on
NCIS: LA. But after eight years on
NCIS Tony/Ziva has not shared their first "real" kiss, while after only four seasons we got to celebrate one for Kensi/Deeks. Since both shows have the same premise, why do you think the original
NCIS is holding back on advancing the Tony/Ziva relationship in the same manner? I know a lot of shows cite
Moonlighting as their reasoning, but I feel that shows like
Castle proves it can work. —
Cheryl
Matt Roush: There's a difference between a show like
Castle, whose entire premise is built on a core relationship and calibrating the sexual-romantic tension from season to season, and an ensemble drama like the
NCIS shows, where a different balancing act is required. I've often felt the mothership's show runners have kept Tony and Ziva on a very slow burn so they don't overwhelm and take over the show with a workplace love story. I'm not a regular
NCIS: LA watcher (my rule: one is enough for almost any franchise), but Kensi and Deeks aren't nearly as central to the action as Tony and Ziva are in their world, so there's less risk involved in moving their relationship forward. That's just my theory, but it makes sense to me. And for what it's worth, no one really believes in the
Moonlighting curse. It's all about the execution...
NCIS season 11 premieres Fall 2013 on
CBS.
NCIS: Los Angeles season 5 premieres Fall 2013 on
CBS.
Castle season 6 premieres Fall 2013 on
ABC.