It feels like you've gone back to work and your desk is moved near the back door -- something is changing and not for good. Ziva's reappearance as part of larger story arch this season, and is one element signalling the death to a series. Every popular crime show in last 50 years has done the same thing ... slipped away from the style and feel and format, which endeared the viewers to orchestrate their schedules to watch the show. The writers exhaust fresh material of crime and resolutions of the crimes. Instead they substitute person drama, which personally for my wife and I, we hate. Don't people have enough stupid drama in their own lives already.
Without getting into details, this episode does not have a natural flow to it. Everything comes across, somewhat predictably, and a little forced, and with little surprise. If you're a child and new to the series, everything around your life is drama -- maybe this is what you enjoy. If you're a couple who has watched the show from the beginning, and it's predecessor, J.A.G., then season 17 has been a struggle to get excited about.
I don't watch television shows that have the episodes which go on and on; an occasional 'to-be-continued' is alluring. All of my favourite episodes are 1-eposide with sharp stories, great guest spots, genuine creative memories. Season 17 has not had even one of these. If these stories are all consumed, then let's end the show with some dignity of the years gone by; before the core audience just gives up and quits watching.