Michael Weatherly & Cote de Pablo Want To Reintroduce Rudolf Martin To NCIS: Tony and Ziva
Stars of the NCIS spinoff NCIS: Tony & Ziva, Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly, have alluded to the prospect of bringing back Rudolf Martin's character, Ari Haswari, who was the most famous villain on the show. When Ari first appeared in Ncis season 1, episode 16, "Bête Noire," she immediately established herself as a serious threat to the team. This led to a story arc that featured the entrance of Ziva David and finally ended with Kate Todd's death. Even if it would seem unlikely, de Pablo and Weatherly imply that Ari's return might not be out of the question.
During their discussion of the "Kill Ari" episodes on the Off Duty: An Ncis Rewatch podcast, the actors stated that they would love to see Martin return. The "Kill Ari" storyline, which showed the complexity of Ziva's relationship with her brother and signaled the change from Kate to Ziva, is seen as a turning point in the history of the show. De Pablo explicitly acknowledged the possibility of Ari returning as a ghost, and Weatherly alluded to other "real world" possibilities, such as Martin making an appearance as a living person.
Why Replacing Rudolf Martin's Ari in the NCIS spinoff is Almost Unfeasible
The fact that Ari Haswari was killed by Ziva David in season three is the largest barrier to his comeback. The loss of Ari had a profound effect on Ziva's personality as well as the dynamics of the team. Since the death was depicted on film, it will be more difficult to bring him back without deviating from the accepted story. The franchise has managed to revive characters that have been off-screen for long stretches of time, but because of how it was portrayed on screen, Ari's death poses a special difficulty.
But the NCIS series has a history of using deceased characters—especially in the form of flashbacks, dreams, or visions. The most famous instance is when, in season 9, Ari returns to Gibbs as a vision of his past self after experiencing a near-death incident. This strategy might be applied in NCIS: Tony & Ziva to help Ziva face her previous trauma and possibly find a solution to her complicated relationship with Ari. But it's crucial to remember that Rudolf Martin hasn't said a word on NCIS since the passing of his character, so his appearance—in any capacity—marks a notable divergence from the usual.
Potential Roles for Rudolf Martin on NCIS: Tony and Ziva
Despite the difficulties, rumors about Ari's potential return to the show have been aroused by the actors' remarks. Ari's potential reappearance as a ghost, as suggested by De Pablo, offers a gripping story possibility. Ari can appear to Ziva as an expression of her remorse or unresolved feelings. She would be able to face her prior pain, comprehend her brother's intentions, and possibly achieve closure in this way.
Martin might even make an appearance as a brand-new persona. This might have to do with a character who is related to Ari, or who she works with. This strategy would respect Martin's former role as Ari Haswari while enabling him to return to the series in a new capacity. A fresh perspective on Ziva's character development, particularly with reference to her background and her relationship with Mossad, may also come via the introduction of a new character who has connections to Ari.
Ari Haswari's Potential Comeback: Tony & Ziva's Welcome Addition to NCIS
The possibility of Rudolf Martin returning to the NCIS series, either as a ghost or a new character, presents intriguing opportunities for NCIS: Tony & Ziva. Ari's presence might provide Ziva's character development more nuance and complexity, especially in light of her past and the trauma she experienced while working as a Mossad agent. Tony and Ziva may get the chance to collaborate on solving an Ari-related crime upon Tony's return, thereby enhancing their dynamic and teamwork skills.
Whatever the case, having Ari return to the spinoff would be exciting since he is one of the most adored and remembered villains in the series. It would be a compelling story development to see Ari and Ziva face off, either now or in the past, since it would highlight the nuanced relationships between family, loyalty, and forgiveness. With Ari back, Ziva's character development may take on a new direction, and viewers will get to witness more of Rudolf Martin's remarkable acting prowess.
