NCIS Season 11, Episode 1 ("Whiskey Tango Foxtrot") marks the beginning of Ziva David's departure from the CBS procedural drama. Despite much-anticipation, Cote de Pablo's Ziva is not seen in the premiere. Tiva fans, however, get some romantic treat. In an interview, Cote hinted she's glad that Ziva is not getting killed. But she refuses to divulge the real reason she's leaving Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly, and the rest of her NCIS family.

Spoiler Alert: This recap contains spoilers for those who have not seen NCIS Season 11, Episode 1, "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot." Read at your own risk. Scroll down for a sneak peek at Episode 2, "Past, Present, and Future."

NCIS Season 11, Episode 1 fires an explosion so quick into the episode. DOD's Richard Parsons (Colin Hanks) has a crystallizing moment. He's got some answers now, and he's trying to make it up to Gibbs' army, err, team. Parsons goes from whining to Homeland's Tom Morrow (Alan Dale) for shielding Gibbs, to saving Gibbs' life in Iran.

After a bombing that killed the Secretary of the Navy, Clay Jarvis, Morrow confirms to a very upset Director Vance (Rocky Carroll) that Ziva is the next target.

Chatting online, Tony DiNozzo asks Ziva to dish her thoughts. Her response is a bittersweet line for many Tiva fans who have yet to accept the fact that Cote de Pablo is "gone" by Episode 3.

Tony: Thinking about?

Ziva: At the moment, you. You and a million other things.

Tony books a flight to Tel Aviv, Israel to be with Ziva, but bullets later get in his way. Realizing the whole team is a target, Tony enlists Adam Eshel (Damon Dayoub) to track Ziva without putting her in harm's way. It turns out the enemies were a step ahead of both Tony and Adam. Ziva kills her attackers, but now Tony doesn't know where she is.

Some viewers are more concerned about FBI Agent Fornell (Joe Spano) and Gibbs. More specifically, how will the show really close what happened at the NCIS Season 10 finale? It is understood, however, that the Season 11 premiere is only an intro to more answers coming up.

NCIS Season 11: Why Did Cote de Pablo Quit on Ziva David?

In an interview with TV Guide, Cote de Pablo expresses openness to the possibility of Ziva David coming back to the show.

"As long as a character doesn't die, the character can always come back. Not that it would actually matter, because we bring back characters from the dead all the time on NCIS," Cote says. The actress insists the reason she's leaving is personal.

As for Tiva's Tony DiNozzo, Michael Weatherly says, "I found the first two episodes immensely satisfying. I was very surprised by the things I read in those scripts." He also says fans the next episode feels like Christmas.

VIDEO: NCIS Season 11, Episode 2 Sneak Peek; 'Tony, you are so - loved.' - Ziva

Check out the slideshow for some fandom posts on Tumblr about NCIS Season 11, Episode 1, "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot." For those interested in the music playing in the final scenes with Tony DiNozzo, it's Enya's "If I could be where you are."

More 'NCIS Season 11' and TV Guide Features:

Cote de Pablo's Ziva David Replacement Named as Bishop, NCIS Season 11 Spoilers [VIDEO, PHOTOS]
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Pilot Episode Review, Spoilers: The Avengers' Best, The Highlights, and The Villains [PHOTOS]
Bones Season 9 Episode 2 Review: Sweets' Retreat, Pelant's Watch, and a Wedding Soon [SPOILERS, PHOTOS]

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