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The Best Episodes of NCIS

Every episode of NCIS ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of NCIS!

Binge this in 15d 6h•Peaking at 9.5/10

From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, a team of special agents investigates any crime that has any connection to Navy and Marine Corps personnel, regardless of rank or position.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    NCIS Season 21 Episode 2 - The Stories We Leave Behind
    9.5/10(1517 votes)

    S21:E2

    As NCIS mourns the loss of Ducky, the agents find comfort in working on one of his unfinished cases involving a woman whose father was dishonorably discharged from the Marines.

    Director:Michael Zinberg
    Writers:Scott Williams, Brian Dietzen

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  2. NCIS Season 14 Episode 13 - Keep Going
    9.3/10(1498 votes)

    S14:E13

    During an NCIS hit-and-run investigation, Palmer joins a stranger on the outside ledge of a building in an attempt to save his life.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writer:Scott Williams

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  3. NCIS Season 7 Episode 1 - Truth or Consequences
    9.2/10(1770 votes)

    S7:E1

    As the hunt for Ziva's replacement begins, Gibbs and his remaining team members must head back to work with the past still weighing heavily on their minds.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writer:Jesse Stern

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  4. NCIS Season 13 Episode 24 - Family First
    9.2/10(1608 votes)

    S13:E24

    NCIS, the FBI, and MI6 continue an international manhunt for an escaped British spy who is targeting current and former agents.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. NCIS Season 23 Episode 13 - All Good Things
    9.2/10(723 votes)

    S23:E13

    When the son of a Marine that Gibbs once helped comes to NCIS in desperation, the fractured team reunites off the books; chasing justice without a badge may cost them more than their careers.

    Director:José Clemente Hernandez
    Writer:Steven D. Binder

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  6. NCIS Season 2 Episode 7 - Call of Silence
    9.1/10(2181 votes)

    S2:E7

    Ernie Yost, an elder Marine veteran confesses to murdering his best friend almost 60 years ago in a war battle. The NCIS's job is to solve the secrets and save Ernie from prison.

    Director:Thomas J. Wright
    Writer:Roger Director

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of NCIS

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  7. NCIS Season 16 Episode 13 - She
    9.1/10(857 votes)

    S16:E13

    After a malnourished and confused 9-year-old is found hiding in a storage unit, NCIS reopens an old missing persons case when the girl is believed to be the daughter of a Navy recruit who disappeared 10 years ago. Also, Bishop discovers notes that Special Agent Ziva David kept on the case long after NCIS officially stopped investigating.

    Director:Mark Horowitz
    Writer:Gina Lucita Monreal

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  8. NCIS Season 17 Episode 20 - The Arizona
    9.1/10(1113 votes)

    S17:E20

    The team tries to verify the identity of Joe Smith, who claims he served on the U.S.S. Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor, and wants to be buried there upon his death.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writer:Gina Lucita Monreal

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  9. NCIS Season 24 Episode 3 - Sleeping Dogs
    9.0/10(3 votes)

    S24:E3

    When Torres’ retired undercover identity is used to commit a string of murders, he’s forced to team up with his grizzled old-school former handler, Walt Keller, and confront a darker version of himself that he thought he’d left behind.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. NCIS Season 2 Episode 22 - SWAK
    8.9/10(1597 votes)

    S2:E22

    When Tony opens a mysterious letter thinking it's for him, a small puff of white powder comes out and releases a possible deadly virus. Soon Kate and Tony are isolated in a bio-hazard isolation room for precaution. McGee and Gibbs work to discover who sent the envelope and how to cure their friends before it's too late for them.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writer:Donald P. Bellisario

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  11. NCIS Season 2 Episode 23 - Twilight
    8.9/10(1438 votes)

    S2:E23

    A group of serial terrorists seek revenge and send Ari on an assignment to kill Gibbs. The NCIS team go on a hunt after him, but when they discover that Ari has a bigger plan, it is already too late.

    Director:Thomas J. Wright
    Writer:John C. Kelley

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  12. NCIS Season 5 Episode 7 - Requiem
    8.9/10(1348 votes)

    S5:E7

    Gibbs finds himself emotionally challenged when he agrees to investigate a crime connected to a friend of his daughter, who passed away years ago, and the investigation leads to a shocking conclusion.

    Director:Tony Wharmby
    Writer:Shane Brennan

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  13. NCIS Season 6 Episode 4 - Heartland
    8.9/10(1424 votes)

    S6:E4

    When a murder investigation leads the team to Gibbs' hometown, secrets about his past are revealed.

    Director:Tony Wharmby
    Writer:Jesse Stern

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  14. NCIS Season 19 Episode 4 - Great Wide Open
    8.9/10(874 votes)

    S19:E4

    Gibbs and McGee head to Alaska while the team works at home to uncover the conspiracy behind the serial killer.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writers:David J. North, Brendan Fehily

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  15. NCIS Season 5 Episode 19 - Judgment Day (2)
    8.8/10(620 votes)

    S5:E19

    When one of their own is killed, the team must find the killer before they get to another member of the team, Gibbs. In an emotional investigation, the team tries to stay together, against the wishes of Assistant Director Vance.

    Director:Thomas J. Wright
    Writers:Christopher J. Waild, David J. North, Steven D. Binder

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  16. NCIS Season 9 Episode 24 - Till Death Do Us Part
    8.8/10(1129 votes)

    S9:E24

    Terrorism shakes the foundations of the Navy and NCIS to such an extent that Gibbs and the team face surprises that will devastate them.

    Director:Tony Wharmby
    Writer:Gary Glasberg

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  17. NCIS Season 12 Episode 11 - Check
    8.8/10(983 votes)

    S12:E11

    The NCIS team investigates copy-cat crime scenes while Gibbs navigates two ex-wives relentlessly trying to get his attention.

    Director:Alrick Riley
    Writer:Steven D. Binder

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  18. NCIS Season 13 Episode 11 - Spinning Wheel
    8.8/10(924 votes)

    S13:E11

    After Ducky is attacked by a man claiming to have information about his half-brother who died decades ago, the NCIS team searches for the perpetrator.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writer:Steven D. Binder

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  19. NCIS Season 21 Episode 7 - A Thousand Yards
    8.8/10(609 votes)

    S21:E7

    NCIS comes under attack by a mysterious enemy from the past.

    Director:Diana Valentine
    Writer:Christopher J. Waild

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  20. NCIS Season 24 Episode 1 - Wayward Son
    8.8/10(400 votes)

    S24:E1

    While dealing with the fallout from the shooting involving McGee’s son, the team investigates a mysterious new threat to the Secretary of the Navy and receives help from an unexpected source: Tony DiNozzo, newly arrived in D.C. to open a satellite office of his private security firm.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. NCIS Season 3 Episode 2 - Kill Ari (2)
    8.7/10(1329 votes)

    S3:E2

    Still stressed over Kate's death, Gibbs is even more hurt when Ari kidnaps Ducky and decides to play with his mind. Gibbs sends Tony to follow Ziva, and after Jenny and Gibbs are almost shot to death, he is even more determined to finish once and for all with Ari, and Ziva's strange connection to Ari will be just the help that he needs.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writer:Donald P. Bellisario

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  22. NCIS Season 10 Episode 11 - Shabbat Shalom
    8.7/10(1085 votes)

    S10:E11

    While the NCIS team investigates the link between a dead journalist and a Petty Officer, Ziva is taken aback by the sudden emotional visit by her father, who she hasn't seen in more than two years.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writer:Christopher J. Waild

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  23. NCIS Season 11 Episode 24 - Honor Thy Father
    8.7/10(1015 votes)

    S11:E24

    The NCIS team investigates whether a fire on a U.S. Navy ship that served as a secret detention site for indicted terrorists was accidental or an intentional diversion for an escape.

    Director:Tony Wharmby
    Writers:Gary Glasberg, Gina Lucita Monreal

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  24. NCIS Season 13 Episode 18 - Scope
    8.7/10(992 votes)

    S13:E18

    The NCIS team re-examines an ambush on a group of Special Ops snipers in Iraq after an American couple is attacked in the same area six months later.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. NCIS Season 17 Episode 11 - In the Wind
    8.7/10(674 votes)

    S17:E11

    Gibbs must face the consequences of helping Ziva with "the one thing" she said she'd take care of before returning to her family.

    Director:Rocky Carroll
    Writer:Scott Williams

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Stories We Leave Behind" is the best rated episode of "NCIS". It scored 9.5/10 based on 1517 votes. Directed by Michael Zinberg and written by Scott Williams, Brian Dietzen, it aired on 2/19/2024. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Keep Going".