In the intricate world of “NCIS,” the past often resurfaces in unexpected ways. This week, viewers witnessed a nostalgic moment when Jimmy Palmer, portrayed by Brian Dietzen, approached Tim McGee, played by Sean Murray, with a tuxedo slung over his shoulder in the episode titled “Gone Girls.” Jimmy was on a quest to find something that might have belonged to their former colleague, Tony DiNozzo, a character brought to life by Michael Weatherly.

Jimmy hoped that Tim might have kept a stash of shoe polish that Tony had cleverly hidden in a secret compartment of his desk. Since Tim inherited Tony’s office supplies after his departure from NCIS, Jimmy was optimistic about finding some of Tony’s old possessions. However, Tim had to disappoint him. “No, HR cleared that out years ago. All I have here is some allergy medication and nasal spray,” McGee confessed, adding with a pause, “I’m not sure Tony would approve.”

It’s likely Tony is preoccupied with his own adventures to be concerned about McGee’s allergies. As Tim and Jimmy collaborate to unravel a complex case at a Gilbert and Sullivan-themed gala hosted by NCIS accountant Barbara’s community theater group, Tony is busy navigating the globe, focused on keeping himself and his family safe.

In the broader “NCIS” universe, Tony and Ziva, played by Cote de Pablo, are tirelessly working to protect their daughter, Tali, portrayed by Isla Gie, and ensure global safety. Though separated by distance, Tony and Ziva have been residing near each other in Paris, co-parenting their daughter, until an adversary targets intelligence safeguarded by Tony’s private security firm. This leads them on a worldwide chase, with their daughter under the care of her nanny and Interpol in pursuit. Ultimately, they succeed in their mission and rekindle their romance along the way.

While everything is as copacetic as it’ll ever be in the “NCIS” world, the titular twosome on “NCIS: Tony and Ziva” have been working their fingers to the bone to keep their daughter Tali (Isla Gie) alive, as well as the world at large safe and sound. 

Though separated, Tony and Ziva (Cote de Pablo) have been living near each other in Paris and raising their daughter together — until a common enemy decides to steal intelligence that Tony had been hired to protect with his private security firm. They have to travel the globe to solve the mystery, with their daughter in the capable hands of her nanny and Interpol breathing down their necks, but in the end they triumph. They also manage to repair their romantic relationship along the way.

Interestingly, both Tim McGee and Jimmy Palmer show up on a guest list filled with the names of Tony and Ziva’s colleagues seen in a flashback during “Tony and Ziva.” The litany of familiar faces are part of an aborted wedding the pair never go through with. Perhaps in the future, they’ll actually pledge their troths together — but until then, it’s pretty obvious that the group is still bound together by the ties of friendship.