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Cast members (L-R) Rocky Carroll, Mark Harmon and Cote de Pablo 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, Episode 23 (“Dead Letter”) aired May 10 on CBS, connecting Tony DiNozzo’s (Michael Weatherly) exit to Ziva David (Cote de Pablo). Ziva is now in the heart of the story, but the actress herself is (still) a no-show. Will fans see her in the season finale?

Spoiler alert: This update contains “NCIS” Season 13 spoilers, with details from this week’s new episode. Michael Weatherly leaving NCIS has been in the news for months now. Fans should watch the May 17 episode on CBS to find out what happens next to Tony, Ziva and Trent Kort (David Dayan Fisher).

Fans who have been waiting for Ziva David must have been thrilled to hear their favourite character's name mentioned a lot in this week's new episode, which is also the penultimate episode of the season. Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) now needs to know: Where is Ziva David?

Meanwhile, Tobias Fornell (Joe Spano) is expected to make full recovery after getting shot while hunting down British spy Jacob Scott (Vince Nappo).

Is Ziva David dead or alive?

It turns out Scott is not the big bad guy, after all. Trent Kort appears to have caused a huge fire at Eli David’s farm house to make sure all of Mossad’s files in connection to Scott would vanish. Tony’s reaction on the fire is priceless.

Was Ziva there when the fire broke? Is Ziva dead or alive? The answers are expected in “NCIS” Season 13, Episode 24, Weatherly’s last episode as a regular cast member.

2 new NCIS agents as Weatherly’s replacement: Who are the new cast members?

As FBI Agent Tess Monroe, Sarah Clarke is already connecting well to McGee (Sean Murray), Palmer (Brian Dietzen) and Ducky (David McCallum), giving the impression that she could be as intimidating as Gibbs – on a good day.

As MI6 Agent Clayton Reeves, Duane Henry promises to bring in some comedic, playful vibe in the show – a role that DiNozzo has carried since the pilot episode of “NCIS.”

Among other things, “NCIS” fans will miss the father-son interaction between Tony and Gibbs. Their farewell scene is one of the most anticipated event in the “NCIS” Season 13 finale. It is unlikely for Cote de Pablo to reprise her role as Ziva David based on the actress’ explanation of why she left the series. If she does show up, however, Tiva (Tony and Ziva) fans will certainly celebrate a proper closure.

The “NCIS” Season 13, Episode 24 a.k.a. the season finale titled “Family First,” will air on May 17 on CBS. Fans hope the title would connect to Tony and Ziva, even as Gibbs team is a family in itself. Incidentally, DiNozzo Sr (Robert Wagner) is returning with a number of other familiar faces.