In light of season 17, a lot of the plot holes of this episode come off this way, including many listed in the Fridge Logic section. But it also re-contextualizes Orli's halfhearted explanation to Tony as to why Ziva never told him about Tali. Orli insists that Ziva didn't want to disrupt his life, that she was too independent to need a man in her life, she felt perfectly capable raising Tali on her own, and she was afraid Tony wouldn't react well the longer she waited to tell him. Tony bitterly tells Orli that if Ziva thought that, she "never really knew [him] at all." This seems odd and out of character even for Ziva, and even in the episode, seems to be contradicted, as Tali recognizes Tony from a photograph—meaning Ziva had spent considerable time talking to Tali about her father. But the fact that Orli's explanation is a hastily-thought-up lie makes so much more sense when season 17 reveals that Ziva is alive and running from a threat on her life. This threat doesn't know that Tali exists, has never known, and Ziva wanted to keep it that way—which necessitated hiding her from Tony, as well. Kort attacking the farmhouse threw a wrench in that plan.
Fridge Logic
The fandom has raised many "fridge logic" questions regarding the information around Ziva's death. These included questions such as:
If Ziva were ambushed at the farmhouse, why was there a "go-bag" carefully packed for Tali (with a framed picture, Ziva's headscarf, and Tali's favorite toy)?
Why does Tali show zero signs of having been in a burning building, such as smoke inhalation or burns?
If the "go-bag" was in the house, why is it intact and why does it not smell like smoke?
Why was Tali, a 2-year-old, sleeping far enough away from Ziva that she would survive the explosion unscathed while Ziva didn't?
Fridge Horror
If the narrative Tony is given about Ziva's death is to be believed (Ziva dying in the explosion, Tali found in her bedroom), this paints a horrifying picture of the last moments of Ziva's life. At best, Ziva was killed instantly and Tali was found quickly. At worst, Ziva died a slow, painful death, probably trying and being unable to get to Tali. And for Tali, imagine being trapped in a bedroom—and probably in a crib—while the house is on fire, calling out for her mother, who did not come.
