The episode is the first of a two-part story arc and continues the long-term storyline within the series of the complex relationship between protagonist Ziva (Cote de Pablo) and her father, Mossad Director Eli David (Michael Nouri).
During the first installment, the NCIS team is assigned to protect Eli when he arrives in Washington D.C. for an inter-agency conference and must deal with three Palestinian terrorists who are attempting to assassinate him.
A number of recurring actors appeared in the episode to portray the Mossad officers, including TJ Ramini as Malachi Ben Gidon and Arnold Vosloo as Amit Hadar.
[2] The main cast includes Mark Harmon as team leader Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Michael Weatherly as Senior Agent Anthony "Tony" DiNozzo, Cote de Pablo as Mossad Liaison Officer turned NCIS Agent Ziva David, Pauley Perrette as Forensic Specialist Abby Sciuto, Sean Murray as Special Agent Timothy McGee, David McCallum as Autopsy Technician Donald "Ducky" Mallard, Rocky Carroll as NCIS Director Leon Vance, and Brian Dietzen as Medical Assistant Jimmy Palmer.
The investigation leads to Ziva's former team leader, Mossad Officers Malachi Ben Gidon (TJ Ramini), and replacement Liat Tuvia (Sarai Givaty).
They inform her that her father, Director Eli David (Michael Nouri), is set to arrive in Washington D.C. to attend an NCIS conference.
On learning that three Palestinian terrorists are planning an attempt on Eli's life, the NCIS team is designated to protect him during his stay in the United States.
In August, executive producer Shane Brennan was asked if the show would delve more deeply into the storyline surrounding Ziva's captivity and torture in Somalia that took place in the previous season.
[9] Givaty's casting was reported in the Israeli news, and ADD agent Yaron Lichtenstein commented, "We are proud of Sarai for joining the agency's series of international success stories.
"[9] Brennan elaborated on the character's role in the story arc, saying that Liat's presence would leave Ziva feeling replaced "personally and professionally".