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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!

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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 8 Episode 24 - Unleashed (2)
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #1 - 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.

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  2. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 10 Episode 1 - To Live and Die in Mexico
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #2 - 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

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  3. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 11 Episode 10 - Mother
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #3 - 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

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  4. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 11 Episode 15 - The Circle
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #4 - 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.

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  5. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 11 - Russia, Russia, Russia
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #5 - 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.

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  6. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 13 Episode 22 - Come Together
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #6 - 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.

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles

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  8. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 7 Episode 19 - The Seventh Child
    9.7/10(3 votes)

    #7 - 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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  9. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 8 Episode 15 - Payback (3)
    9.5/10(2 votes)

    #8 - Payback (3)

    S8:E15

    As the team races to save Kensi from Ferris/Sullivan, they find themselves questioning who they can trust when old faces resurface.

    Writer:Unknown

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  10. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 9 Episode 8 - This Is What We Do
    9.5/10(2 votes)

    #9 - This Is What We Do

    S9:E8

    The team must find assailants who illegally crossed the border and attacked California Highway Patrol officers; Homeland Security sends Nell's older and bossy sister to assist with the case.

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  11. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 10 Episode 14 - Smokescreen (1)
    9.5/10(2 votes)

    #10 - Smokescreen (1)

    S10:E14

    The NCIS team partners with the FBI to locate a terrorist cell in Los Angeles believed to be preparing for an imminent attack.

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  12. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 10 Episode 15 - Smokescreen, Part II
    9.5/10(2 votes)

    #11 - Smokescreen, Part II

    S10:E15

    As the team continues to search for a terrorist cell in Los Angeles, Callen and Sam remain trapped in a movie theater after multiple bombs have detonated and every remaining exit is wired with explosives.

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  13. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 8 - Love Kills
    9.5/10(2 votes)

    #12 - Love Kills

    S12:E8

    When NCIS investigates the murder of a man about to reveal the source of a massive counterfeiting operation, an old acquaintance becomes their prime suspect and reveals the true reason for her return. Also, Deeks struggles during training to become an official NCIS agent

    Director:Dan Liu

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  14. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 9 - A Fait Accompli
    9.5/10(2 votes)

    #13 - A Fait Accompli

    S12:E9

    While NCIS must track down an organized crime leader who is trying to buy stolen defense technology, Callen goes to Anna to ask the ultimate question. Also, Deeks is kicked out of NCIS training only to find that Hetty has a life-changing surprise for him.

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  15. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 2 Episode 6 - Standoff
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #14 - Standoff

    S2:E6

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

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  16. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 16 - Blye, K. (1)
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #15 - 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.

    Writer:Unknown

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  17. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 18 - Red (1)
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #16 - 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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  18. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 19 - Red (2)
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #17 - 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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  19. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 6 Episode 12 - Spiral
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #18 - 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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  20. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 8 Episode 2 - Belly of the Beast (2)
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #19 - 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.

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  21. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 8 Episode 19 - 767
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #20 - 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

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  22. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 10 Episode 24 - False Flag
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #21 - 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.

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  23. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 21 - Found
    9.2/10(5 votes)

    #22 - 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.

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  24. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 23 - Burned
    9.2/10(4 votes)

    #23 - 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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  25. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 24 - Callen, G
    9.2/10(4 votes)

    #24 - 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.

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  26. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 7 - Honor
    9.0/10(3 votes)

    #25 - 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

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Best Episodes Summary

"Unleashed (2)" is the best rated episode of "NCIS: Los Angeles". It scored 10/10 based on 2 votes. Directed by John Peter Kousakis and written by R. Scott Gemmill, it aired on 5/14/2017. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "To Live and Die in Mexico".