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The Best Episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles

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

Binge this in 9d 21h•Peaking at 8.8/10

The exploits of the Los Angeles–based Office of Special Projects (OSP), an elite division of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service that specializes in undercover assignments.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    NCIS: Los Angeles Season 7 Episode 19 - The Seventh Child
    8.8/10(4 votes)

    #1 - The Seventh Child

    S7:E19

    Callen and the team try to save a child in imminent danger who has been brainwashed by a terrorist cell. Also, Deeks and Kensi discuss having children.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 8 Episode 24 - Unleashed (2)
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #2 - Unleashed (2)

    S8:E24

    Following the kidnapping of Sam's wife, Michelle Hanna, Sam goes rogue from the NCIS team and attempts to stop his arch nemesis Tahir Khaled from ever targeting his family again.

    Director:John Peter Kousakis
    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill

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  3. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 10 Episode 1 - To Live and Die in Mexico
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #3 - To Live and Die in Mexico

    S10:E1

    Gravely injured and unable to communicate with the team in the U.S., Callen, Sam and Kensi, with an unconscious Deeks in tow, search for a safe way home as a cartel boss places a “dead or alive” bounty on their heads. Also, Mosely and retired Navy Admiral Hollace Kilbride beseech their contacts in Mexico and D.C. for assistance with their missing colleagues

    Director:Frank Military
    Writer:Frank Military

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  4. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 11 Episode 10 - Mother
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #4 - Mother

    S11:E10

    Akhos Laos , a former black ops agent originally recruited and trained by Hetty Lange, returns to seek revenge on Hetty for the life she introduced him to, on the 250th episode

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writers:Eric Christian Olsen, Babar Peerzada

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  5. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 11 Episode 15 - The Circle
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #5 - The Circle

    S11:E15

    Anna Kolcheck returns to warn Callen that he is in danger and he must now work with an archenemy to stop an underground trafficking ring.

    Director:Diana Valentine
    Writer:Andrew Bartels

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  6. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 11 - Russia, Russia, Russia
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #6 - Russia, Russia, Russia

    S12:E11

    When Callen goes to the National Counterterrorism Center on the pretext of interrogating a Russian asset from the crashed plane case he investigated months earlier, the tables are turned and he is detained, accused of being a Russian agent.

    Director:Daniela Ruah
    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles

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  7. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 13 Episode 22 - Come Together
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #7 - Come Together

    S13:E22

    The NCIS team hunts for a heist crew that robs a Los Angeles casino with military-grade power. Also, Kensi and Deeks hear exciting news regarding the adoption and Callen takes a big step in his relationship with Anna.

    Director:John Peter Kousakis
    Writer:Kyle Harimoto

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  8. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 21 - Found
    8.6/10(7 votes)

    #8 - Found

    S1:E21

    The NCIS team races to save one of their own when they receive video evidence of Special Agent Dominic Vail being held hostage months after he was kidnapped.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill

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  9. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 23 - Burned
    8.5/10(6 votes)

    #9 - Burned

    S1:E23

    After Callen's cover is blown and compromises the unit, the NCIS team races to find out who is behind the security breach.

    Director:Steve Boyum
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 24 - Callen, G
    8.5/10(6 votes)

    #10 - Callen, G

    S1:E24

    Callen races against a ruthless adversary to locate a woman who knows the whereabouts of a forgotten fortune earmarked to fund a new war in the Middle East - and also holds the tantalizing key to his unknown past.

    Director:Tony Wharmby
    Writer:Shane Brennan

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  11. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 16 - Blye, K. (1)
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #11 - Blye, K. (1)

    S3:E16

    The team searches for new evidence to prove Kensi Blye’s innocence after she is taken into custody as the lead suspect in a murder investigation involving her deceased father’s sniper unit.

    Director:Jonathan Frakes
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 18 - Red (1)
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #12 - Red (1)

    S4:E18

    Callen and Sam fly to Idaho and join forces with NCIS: Red, a mobile team of agents who live together and investigate crimes in various locations, when a murder weapon found there matches one used in a national security case in Los Angeles.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 19 - Red (2)
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #13 - Red (2)

    S4:E19

    While the LA team chases leads digitally and locally, the NCIS: Red team travels in their mobile trucks, nicknamed "Laverne and Shirley", in a race to track down a cunning terrorist before he disappears.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 6 Episode 12 - Spiral
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #14 - Spiral

    S6:E12

    The team investigate an arms dealer but are interrupted as the suspect's building is overrun by terrorists.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 7 Episode 2 - Citadel
    8.5/10(6 votes)

    #15 - Citadel

    S7:E2

    DEA agent Talia Del Campo turns to the NCIS: Los Angeles team for help after her partner is murdered. Also, after Kensi grows suspicious that Deeks is hiding something, he surprises her by introducing her to his mother.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 8 Episode 2 - Belly of the Beast (2)
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #16 - Belly of the Beast (2)

    S8:E2

    The team travels to Syria to apprehend a High Value Target where one team member is severely injured when the mission goes awry.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill

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  17. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 8 Episode 19 - 767
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #17 - 767

    S8:E19

    After an engineer who was developing a new guided missile destroyer is murdered, Callen and Sam go undercover to track his co-worker aboard a plane to Tokyo to sell the classified intel. Also, Deeks plans a surprise get-together for Kensi and her out-of-town friends.

    Director:Benny Boom
    Writer:Kyle Harimoto

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  18. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 10 Episode 24 - False Flag
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #18 - False Flag

    S10:E24

    Callen and Sam work with Navy Captain Harmon "Harm" Rabb, Jr. (David James Elliott) to locate a group of ISIS sympathizers aboard the USS Allegiance. Also, Hetty enlists her friend, Lieutenant Colonel Sarah "Mac". Mackenzie (Catherine Bell), to help obtain information from a Russian diplomat.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writer:Frank Military

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  19. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 2 Episode 6 - Standoff
    8.4/10(5 votes)

    #19 - Standoff

    S2:E6

    Callen's ex-partner (Marisol Nichols) takes a Navy recruitment center hostage.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writer:Joseph C. Wilson

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  20. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 5 Episode 4 - Reznikov, N.
    8.4/10(5 votes)

    #20 - Reznikov, N.

    S5:E4

    The NCIS: LA team finds themselves in danger while investigating a kidnapping case of a man claiming to be Callen’s father.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 5 Episode 19 - Spoils of War
    8.4/10(5 votes)

    #21 - Spoils of War

    S5:E19

    After learning that Special Agent Kensi Blye disappeared and the Taliban may be he holding her captive, Hetty sends the NCIS: LA team to Afghanistan on a rescue mission.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 7 - Honor
    8.3/10(4 votes)

    #22 - Honor

    S3:E7

    The NCIS team must determine whether a dishonorably discharged Marine is the target of an international set-up or if he committed murder

    Director:Tony Wharmby
    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill

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  23. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 9 - Betrayal
    8.3/10(4 votes)

    #23 - Betrayal

    S3:E9

    After Sam’s undercover mission in Sudan turns deadly, Callen and the NCIS team must track down their missing agent before it is too late.

    Director:Karen Gaviola
    Writer:Frank Military

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  24. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 17 - Blye, K. (2)
    8.3/10(4 votes)

    #24 - Blye, K. (2)

    S3:E17

    The NCIS: LA team continues to search for new evidence to prove Kensi Blye’s innocence after a private meeting involving her deceased father’s sniper unit turns deadly.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 13 - The Chosen One
    8.3/10(4 votes)

    #25 - The Chosen One

    S4:E13

    Callen goes undercover to infiltrate a network of Chechen terrorists who are recruiting foreign fighters to join their cause and planning their next attack in the U.S.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Seventh Child" is the best rated episode of "NCIS: Los Angeles". It scored 8.8/10 based on 4 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 3/21/2016. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Unleashed (2)".