Answer to one of the questions: maybe MW and CdP simply like the episode? Maybe they had a blast filming it? Perhaps they don’t get anywhere near as defensive of their characters as many of the fans do?
Perhaps this is the reason this fandom can’t seem to just sit back and have fun without passing judgment on each other. We’re still discussing an episode from 6 years ago. An episode set in a very different context than current episodes. And again, getting so defensive and taking the actions of fictional characters personally. Was it rude to Tony? Yeah, it was. Ziva was a bitch then (forgive my sexist language, but seriously, she was). I liked her, but she was. She was very different than the person we know now. And this isn’t defending her, because she was in the wrong, but explaining that her not inviting him seems perfectly in character. And the thing is, I don’t think she particularly liked Tony. Why should she go out of her way to invite him?
McGee and Palmer are nice guys, who wouldn’t want them around? Gibbs and Ziva, whether you like it or not and despite the apparent canon “change” we got a few years later, had a bond at the time, and I think authentically liked each other. And I think Ziva kind of wanted Abby to like her, and therefore invited her in hopes of getting on her good side.
And Tony? I LOVE Tony. But I came in late, the very end of season 5, Judgment Day. And then sped through the series thanks to USA. I fell in love with the Tony that came during and after the Jeanne affair. I love the Tony prior to that, but the Tony that came later? There was just something about him. I saw more heart, more compassion, more of the Tony that I wouldn’t want to push into a pool anytime I was walking by one. The Tony prior to that was great, but he was a jackass. So I could actually see the Ziva of those days not necessarily liking Tony all that much. Or at least being unsure if she really wanted to spend time without outside of work.
Was it kind of messed up? Well, again, yeah it was. Should she have maybe reached out to him and invited him? Perhaps. But her not inviting him doesn’t make her an evil queen. It makes her kind of normal. I can totally think of times I’ve been in a situation where someone I spend time with isn’t necessarily someone I would want to invite out with the rest of the people we both spend time with.
Though I wouldn’t blame Tony for that. It’s just human. He was cool, but I know I wouldn’t have liked him as much as I do had I not come in later and gotten to know the Tony of the later seasons first and foremost. This is all my personal POV, but it’s just as legitimate as anyone’s, and I felt like sharing it because I wanted to share the fact that this whole particular event isn’t black and white.
Mostly, though, I just want to say again that perhaps MW and CdP might like it because they see the characters differently, that maybe then they both liked how Tiva was being set up, maybe they just got to know each other since the whole episode they only really worked with each other. And again, things get taken entirely too personally by people in this fandom. They are fictional characters. Tony isn’t perfect, Ziva isn’t a princess, and maybe I’m missing things if I don’t see them this way, or as the exact opposite.
Anyway, blah blah, I felt like ranting a little. This shit is just getting old. And I’m tired of just seeing this shit more than simple “I LOVE THIS SHOW!! AND HERE’S WHY!” No, we get a lot more of, “This person was a meany, this person is rude, this ship sucks.” It’s like a whine-fest when it should be a squee-fest. It’s been kind of nice not being around as much lately. I’ve been able to avoid it. :/
