NCIS Season 13: Fans cross fingers for the return of Cote de Pablo's Ziva David
Cast members (L-R) Rocky Carroll, Mark Harmon, Cote de Pablo and David McCallum participate in a panel for CBS series NCIS during the CBS sessions at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in Pasadena, California January 11, 2012. REUTERS/Phil McCarten

“NCIS” Season 13 is made up of the same team, but a different Gibbs (Mark Harmon). After a child’s betrayal in the finale of the twelfth season, Gibbs goes through an important surgery. He then manifests some changes, show boss Gary Glasberg has revealed. Meanwhile, Glasberg teases some upcoming change in Tony’s lovelife.

Spoiler update: This feature contains some “NCIS” Season 13 spoilers. Read on at your own risk.

Episode 1 of “NCIS” Season 13 is titled, “Stop the Bleeding.” Mimi Rogers is back as CIA Officer Joanna Teague. She and Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) will continue trying to take down The Calling, the terrorist group recruiting children (one of whom had shot Gibbs in the Season 12 finale).

In other updates, something is going to happen in DiNozzo’s personal life, and Glasberg has said “there might be some surprises” particularly for avid fans of the character. Is this a hint on the return of Cote de Pablo’s Ziva David?

How many lives does he have left? This question is on Gibbs’ mind in the premiere episode of the thirteenth season of “NCIS.” Fans would recall that Gibbs has seen Mike Franks (Muse Watson), Kate Todd (Sasha Alexander) and others who have fallen, including Ned Dorneget (Matt Jones) in the NCIS Season 12 finale. Some viewers guessed this is PTSD; others speculated there could be some tumour or cancer at play.

“[The Calling] absolutely has an effect on Gibbs as he comes back and his view of things — his perspective on the job, his perspective on how much longer,” Glasberg told The Hollywood Reporter. The showrunner hinted at some noticeable shifts in the team dynamics, which could be witnessed from Episode 1 of “NCIS” Season 13.

“We'll continue to delve into the love life of Tony DiNozzo, and there might be some surprises for people a little further down the road into the season on that one, especially for our diehard fans,” Glasberg said, when asked about what happens next to the other characters.

On Twitter, many fans who call themselves ‘Tiva shippers’ have not yet given up on seeing the return of Ziva David on “NCIS.” Glasberg himself has previously said they “think about” Ziva. For her part, Cote de Pablo has said some “closure” might still be possible.

“NCIS” Season 13 premieres this Tuesday on CBS. Jon Cryer guest stars as Navy surgeon Dr. Cyril Taft, a character that would have a special bonding with Gibbs.

WATCH: ‘NCIS’ Season 13 promo video featuring Jon Cryer as Gibbs’ surgeon

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