The much anticipated Season 11 of CBS police procedural drama NCIS started off with the death of one character and the preliminary farewell to another.

The episode aired on Tuesday night, and opened four months in the past. A bomb killed Secretary of the Navy Clay Jarvis, played by Matt Craven. Alan Dale’s character, Tom Morrow, who’s been around since the show’s inception, was seriously injured in the blast.

And then there’s Ziva. We’ve known since July that the fiesty, beloved character played by Cote de Pablo would be leaving the show this season. Tuesday’s episode was the first of two in which viewers will bid the tough-talking former Mossad officer farewell. To the disappointment of many fans, while Ziva was a significant part of the story line Tuesday night, she didn’t actually make an appearance in the episode.

We now know that Ziva is the next target of the same terrorist group that killed Clay Jarvis, and she’s hiding out in Israel. Fans await her fate in next week’s “Past, Present, Future” episode.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FyNfnutLFo&sns=tw

There’s no denying that Ziva’s fans are a loyal bunch:

@NCIS_CBS take note that ncis isn't trending worldwide right now but #Ziva is. WHAT DOES THAT TELL YA?!?!?

— Irina Dyakiv (@irina_d) September 25, 2013

@NCIS_CBS – Got tears from the preview for next week for goodness sake! #ziva #ncis

— DonnaTocci (@DonnaTocci) September 25, 2013

I'm now realizing just how much bad stuff I've tolerated for the sake of a few great scenes. Without #Ziva, no one can save this.

— Jennifer (@JMorr0319) September 25, 2013

I have seen many actors brought back cuz fans insisted. I insist #CotedePablo/#Ziva return 2 #NCIS or I wont watch #CotesArmy #BringBackCote

— therese brady (@bradytherese) September 26, 2013

@AsraiSirena i read CdP's TV Guide interview and it sounded like she didn't want to leave. I feel hopeful that #Ziva will be back. #hopeso

— HK (@hjsk20) September 26, 2013

They’ve created a few Ziva-specific hashtags, a website, and a Facebook page aptly titled Operation Bring Back Cote.

She wasn't planning on leaving. Now we fight or Cote harder than ever #CotesArmy

— Eve #CotesArmy (@BertAndTiva) September 24, 2013

#CotesArmy #BringBackCote has a new website http://t.co/AnOU54h9bf Pls RT to your followers

— Marla (@zoyaroses) September 20, 2013

Great job #CotesArmy this is like what? our fifteenth WW trend? POWER. that's all #CoteIsOurWarrior

— ash ♔ (@realityxash) September 18, 2013

Did you watch the Season 11 premiere? Do you think CBS will bring Ziva back due to popular demand?

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