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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!

The Best Episodes of NCIS

From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, a team of special agents investigates any crime that has a shred of evidence connected to...
  1. Background image for The Stories We Leave Behind
    9.6/10(1.1k votes)

    #1 - The Stories We Leave Behind

    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.

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  2. Background image for Family First
    9.2/10(1.5k votes)

    #2 - Family First

    S13:E24

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

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  3. Background image for Keep Going
    9.2/10(1.4k votes)

    #3 - Keep Going

    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.

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  4. Background image for Truth or Consequences
    9.1/10(1.6k votes)

    #4 - Truth or Consequences

    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.

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    Director:Dennis Smith
  5. Background image for She
    9.1/10(801 votes)

    #5 - She

    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.

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  6. Background image for Call of Silence
    9.0/10(2.0k votes)

    #6 - Call of Silence

    S2:E7

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

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  8. Background image for The Arizona
    9.0/10(1.0k votes)

    #7 - The Arizona

    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.

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  9. Background image for SWAK
    8.9/10(1.5k votes)

    #8 - SWAK

    S2:E22

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

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  10. Background image for Twilight
    8.9/10(1.3k votes)

    #9 - Twilight

    S2:E23

    A group of serial terrorists seek revenge and send Ari (guest star Rudolf Martin) on an assignment to kill Gibbs. The NCIS team goes on a hunt after him, but when they discover that Ari has a bigger plan, it is already too late... the NCIS team will have to face the death of one of their team members...

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  11. Background image for Requiem
    8.9/10(1.3k votes)

    #10 - Requiem

    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.

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  12. Background image for Heartland
    8.9/10(1.4k votes)

    #11 - Heartland

    S6:E4

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

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    Director:Tony Wharmby
  13. Background image for Great Wide Open
    8.9/10(785 votes)

    #12 - Great Wide Open

    S19:E4

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

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  14. Background image for Till Death Do Us Part
    8.8/10(1.1k votes)

    #13 - Till Death Do Us Part

    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.

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  15. Background image for Check
    8.8/10(929 votes)

    #14 - Check

    S12:E11

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

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  16. Background image for A Thousand Yards
    8.8/10(510 votes)

    #15 - A Thousand Yards

    S21:E7

    NCIS comes under attack by a mysterious enemy from the past. Also, Vance tries to mend fences with his estranged son by explaining why, despite the ongoing dangers of his job, he still chooses to stay at NCIS.

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  17. Background image for Kill Ari (2)
    8.7/10(1.2k votes)

    #16 - Kill Ari (2)

    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.

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  18. Background image for Judgment Day (2)
    8.7/10(540 votes)

    #17 - Judgment Day (2)

    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.

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  19. Background image for Shabbat Shalom
    8.7/10(1.0k votes)

    #18 - Shabbat Shalom

    S10:E11

    While the NCIS team investigates the link to a dead journalist and a Navy petty officer, Ziva is taken aback by the sudden emotional visit by her father, who she hasn't seen in more than two years. While Ziva questions the purpose of her father's visit as the Director of Mossad, her father insists he is in the U.S. strictly to see his daughter for Shabbat dinner.

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  20. Background image for Honor Thy Father
    8.7/10(958 votes)

    #19 - Honor Thy Father

    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. Meanwhile, Gibbs travels to his childhood home following news of his father’s passing.

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  21. Background image for Spinning Wheel
    8.7/10(864 votes)

    #20 - Spinning Wheel

    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, as Ducky recalls the final emotional days he had with his sibling. Also, with the holidays approaching, Bishop and Jake discuss the future of their relationship.

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  22. Background image for Scope
    8.7/10(923 votes)

    #21 - Scope

    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. When Gibbs discovers he needs the account of the lone survivor, Marine Gunnery Sergeant Aaron Davis, he tries to connect with the wounded warrior who is being treated for PTSD at Walter Reed Medical Center.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  23. Background image for In the Wind
    8.7/10(614 votes)

    #22 - In the Wind

    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.

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  24. Background image for Kill Ari (1)
    8.6/10(1.3k votes)

    #23 - Kill Ari (1)

    S3:E1

    After the terrorist's attack, the NCIS team is shocked and is trying to cope with Kate's sudden death, each in their own way. Now, their mission is to collect all the possible info on Ari and find a way to stop him before he does any more damage. Meanwhile, while feeling guilty over Kate's death, Gibbs is informed that the NCIS director is leaving, and the replacement is Jenny Shepard, a woman Gibbs worked with in the past and had a romantic history with.

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  25. Background image for Hiatus (2)
    8.6/10(1.0k votes)

    #24 - Hiatus (2)

    S3:E24

    The NCIS team must work on an assignment against a terrorist group without Gibbs, who is still recovering from the explosion. Gibbs has to fight with memory loss, while he's visited by his mentor and his former boss. His help is needed, expecially when the team discovers that Gibbs is the only person who has informations about the terrorists' plans, so he needs to retrieve his memory before the terrorists attack.

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  26. Background image for Dead Man Walking
    8.6/10(1.1k votes)

    #25 - Dead Man Walking

    S4:E16

    When a Navy Lieutenant becomes the victim of radiation poisoning, the NCIS team must find the person who's behind the crime. The Lieutenant, who is working for the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), claims that only his two colleagues knew about his assignment, and whoever it was, the person tried to stop the Lieutenant's next investigation.

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Stories We Leave Behind" is the best rated episode of "NCIS". It scored 9.6/10 based on 1145 votes. Directed by Michael Zinberg and written by Scott Williams, Brian Dietzen, it aired on 2/19/2024. This episode scored 0.4 points higher than the second highest rated, "Family First".