The Theory of Dr. Lang's Involvement.
By @adhiii , @beyondtrendingnow-blog and @wanna-get-that-spike
When the idea first struck us that Dr. Lang might be the one not to trust, everything started falling into place. Suddenly, every tiny detail, both past and present, lined up perfectly.
So hear us out!
Since the news of this show first broke, we have been told one thing: TRUST NO ONE.
We have been warned that the show is an unreliable narrator, and that nothing is as it seems. And to that extend, so far everything points to Salus Mondiale, and thus Tony, being the one caught in the crosshairs! But is that just what they want us to think?
(Example: “No one was going after Tali until you unleashed Ziva.” - But the stalkers had already pulled out their guns, long before they knew of Ziva's impending arrival. So how does Ziva fit into it?)
On top of that, Michael, Cote and John have all pointed out how the main theme of this show is trust. Trust between the main character – Do they still trust each other, or has that been lost? As well as 'who is to be trusted, and who is double-crossing?'
And that brings us to Dr. Lang, and a theory that can be split into two part:
One theme that's brought up in every episode (so far) is Ziva's trust in Dr. Lang. From the very beginning of her return, she seems to have incredible trust in this doctor, one that continues into the presence.
A level of trust that is very rare from Ziva, and one that is constantly emphasized.
Besides from Tony's deep desire to trust his friend Henry, this is by far the relationship with the most focus on trust (which might even be overlooked) – and that led us to consider if it's this specific trust that isn't – well – to be trusted. And whether or not Dr Lang might actually be one of the bad guys in all of this. (We know how open Ziva is with him, how she shares everything. He could easily slip some of that information to Galimard/Martine/whoever is in charge).
But more importantly, it has become clear that Dr. Lang might just be the real cause of the distance between Tony and Ziva, and one of the main reasons they didn't work out.
This is not to say that it was ever his goal, or that he has done so intentionally.
If we start from the beginning and go through the flashbacks, the signs are there from the very start.
In episode two, during the flashback of Tony and Ziva putting Tali to bed, Ziva mentions him for the first time. She has been back for two months at the most, by then, and already believes that Dr. Lang is helping her, and says she really trusts him.
This follows Tony's apology after cupping her cheek, and a talk of trying not to rush things.
We get the impression that Dr. Lang has adviced Ziva to take it slow. And from a psychiatric point of view, this is certainly great advice for someone like Ziva, with so much baggage and trauma. But we also get the impression that Ziva didn't actually mind.
And this is where things get tricky!
Cause Tony seems to fully respect her wish, and do what's needed for things to work out. But it's his reaction to her words, and the absolutely heartbroken facial expression when she mentions her trust in ther doctor that really drives it home.
And Ziva doesn't notice it!
She is surely so filled with guilt about the past, that she's ready to do anything to fix her mistakes and her wrong-doings and make it up to Tony, and she jumps into the therapy head first, blindly following every word and suggestion without realizing the consequences. And while her willingness is fantastic, and Tony obviously supports it, she misses the point entire.
Cause Tony is there, just like he's always been! (He's not perfect, and certainly needs a headslap or 10, but that's another discussion).
He loves her, and he's there to catch her when she falls. He'll do (almost) anything for her, and has proven so in the past. Even when she pushes him away or points a gun at his heart or his knee – he always comes back for her.
And yet here she is, putting her entire trust into a man she's barely met, following his every word, and feels like he's already helping her heal. When all Tony has ever wanted was for her to trust him enough to let him in, to let him be there for her. To allow him to help her heart and her brain heal.
And we all know that noone will ever know Ziva David as well as Tony does!
And it doesn't end, there. In nearly every flashback, we have Ziva bring up her therapy or Dr. Lang.
When they're making out outside the apartment, it's one of the reasons she stops – because of being new to therapy.
It's all very valid, of course, and I have never been prouder of my Ziva than seeing her fight so hard for this! She wants to heal, to get better. She wants to do it to be a better person, a better mom, a better partner! But she's missing the signs of how it's putting a wedge between her and Tony. You can already tell how it's hurting him, this blind faith in a man who doesn't know her, their history, her past! As well as how it's constantly on her mind and dictates most of her choices.
And this is where our theory really comes in!
Could Tony have lost his patience? Could he have become tired of the constant mentions of Dr. Lang, and his profound influence on Ziva?
Could he have pulled back, given up trying to help her though her trauma, not wanting to get in the way? Does his insecurities and fears of abandonment make him disconnect from Ziva's trauma and struggles, because clearly Dr. Lang is the only one who can fix it?
(And oh how it must hurt to be Tony! Cause he has clearly done everything wrong – in the past and now.)
If we jump ahead in time, this theory could also help explain a lot about the present time.
It would explain Tony's 'disconnect' as soon as Ziva brings up Dr. Lang on the bench, why he draws back and starts joking. It could explain the way he seems to leave Ziva to deal with her anxiety and panic attacks by herself, not trying to comfort her or stick around to make sure she gets through them okay.
Because after all these years, he's given up trying to be the person she can lean on. And his heart is tired and hurt after the constant reminders that he isn't the one she needs.
And maybe, hopefully, their time on the run will help remind her that Tony is exactly who she needs!
As an aside to all of the above, we also have some theories that dive into more of a speculative nature. Therefore, there is no clear consencus on these, but we have been trying to come up with ways on how he could be involved, as well as how large that involvement is:
For example: Is the adverse effect on Tony and Ziva's relationship completely unintentional? Or has he purposely been trying to split them up?
Does keeping them apart make Tony more vulnerable, and thus easier to frame / target?
Is he in cahoots with Martine? If so, what's the motive for this?
Are Ziva's sessions with Dr. Lang being spied on? And is he the one doing so, or is it someone else?
It also seems as if all flashbacks are from Ziva's point of view, so far. IS there a reason for this? And is that part of the unreliable narration? Could also explain why so many of them are focused on her therapy.
In any case, we're really looking forward to seeing it all play out. And to discover if we hit the nail on the head ;)
