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The Best Episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1

Every episode of NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1!

Binge this in 17h 22m•Peaking at 8.2/10

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
    NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 1 - Identity
    7.4/10(707 votes)

    #1 - Identity

    S1:E1

    Callen returns back to the NCIS Office of Special Projects to solve a kidnapping case.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writer:Shane Brennan

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  2. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 2 - The Only Easy Day
    7.2/10(559 votes)

    #2 - The Only Easy Day

    S1:E2

    A case involving the murder of a drug dealer turns personal for Special Agent Sam Hanna when he discovers his former Navy Seal comrades are involved.

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

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  3. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 3 - Predator
    7.4/10(503 votes)

    #3 - Predator

    S1:E3

    The team is assigned to track down a missing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) after it is compromised during a training exercise killing a marine before it disappears.

    Director:Tony Wharmby
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 4 - Search and Destroy
    7.6/10(472 votes)

    #4 - Search and Destroy

    S1:E4

    The NCIS team searches Los Angeles for the lead suspect of a murdered Iraqi businessman, a former Marine who had been hired by a private security firm to protect him.

    Director:Steve Boyum
    Writer:Gil Grant

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  5. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 5 - Killshot
    7.5/10(488 votes)

    #5 - Killshot

    S1:E5

    When a United States citizen of North Korean descent is murdered, the secrets to classified software are thought to be lost until NCIS uncovers a suspect from Director Vance's past.

    Director:David Barrett
    Writer:Shane Brennan

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  6. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 6 - Keepin' It Real
    7.5/10(467 votes)

    #6 - Keepin' It Real

    S1:E6

    The NCIS team must find a motive when they discover the body of a marine who had been living a double life as a wealthy bachelor.

    Director:Leslie Libman
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 7 - Pushback
    8.0/10(482 votes)

    #7 - Pushback

    S1:E7

    Following the murder of a Russian woman, the NCIS team uncovers evidence that answers who and why Callen was shot six months ago.

    Director:Paris Barclay
    Writer:Shane Brennan

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  8. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 8 - Ambush
    8.0/10(472 votes)

    #8 - Ambush

    S1:E8

    While Hetty is attending a Senate hearing in D.C., the investigation of a murdered Marine Lance Corporal leads the NCIS team to stolen anti-tank missiles and a dangerous militia group.

    Director:Rod Holcomb
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 9 - Random on Purpose
    8.2/10(511 votes)

    #9 - Random on Purpose

    S1:E9

    Forensic scientist Abby Sciuto joins the Los Angeles NCIS team when a murder case resembles the pattern for a serial killer she has been tracking.

    Director:Steven DePaul
    Writer:Speed Weed

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  10. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 10 - Brimstone
    7.5/10(444 votes)

    #10 - Brimstone

    S1:E10

    As the courtyard is being transformed with holiday decorations, the NCIS team races to solve the murder of a Marine by an exploding cell phone and to find the remaining men of his former EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) unit before another deadly explosion kills someone else.

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

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  11. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 11 - Breach
    7.4/10(418 votes)

    #11 - Breach

    S1:E11

    The death of a Petty Officer leads the NCIS team to a teenager in Sam's life. Meanwhile, Hetty is concerned about the effect that the workload is having on the team.

    Director:Perry Lang
    Writers:R. Scott Gemmill, Shane Brennan

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  12. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 12 - Past Lives
    7.9/10(445 votes)

    #12 - Past Lives

    S1:E12

    The murder of a recently released convict forces Callen to go undercover solo as an old alias, while Sam and the LA team track him from a distance.

    Director:Elodie Keene
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 13 - Missing
    8.1/10(468 votes)

    #13 - Missing

    S1:E13

    The team rushes to a crime scene after receiving an "agent needs assistance" page and learns that one of their own is in peril.

    Director:David Barrett
    Writer:Gil Grant

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  14. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 14 - LD50
    7.7/10(425 votes)

    #14 - LD50

    S1:E14

    A crime scene poses a national security risk when the LA team discovers the location was used to create a deadly toxin which is now missing.

    Director:Jonathan Frakes
    Writer:Speed Weed

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  15. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 15 - The Bank Job
    7.8/10(437 votes)

    #15 - The Bank Job

    S1:E15

    While opening a safety deposit box at a local bank, NCIS Special Agent Kensi Blye is shot after three armed assailants enter and hold everyone in the building hostage.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 16 - Chinatown
    7.5/10(412 votes)

    #16 - Chinatown

    S1:E16

    The death of a lieutenant commander appears to be suicide but the NCIS team uncovers evidence corresponding to murder. Also, Operational Psychologist Nate Getz joins Special Agent Kensi Blye in the field.

    Director:Alan J. Levi
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 17 - Full Throttle
    7.4/10(420 votes)

    #17 - Full Throttle

    S1:E17

    After a sailor is killed during an underground street race, the NCIS team determines that his car had been sabotaged and contained confidential Navy equipment. Meanwhile, Callen is forced to take traffic school.

    Director:David Barrett
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 18 - Blood Brothers
    7.5/10(391 votes)

    #18 - Blood Brothers

    S1:E18

    The investigation of a drive-by shooting has the NCIS team searching Los Angeles for the dead marine's younger brother who may be the next target and the one with the answers.

    Director:Karen Gaviola
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 19 - Hand-to-Hand
    7.9/10(466 votes)

    #19 - Hand-to-Hand

    S1:E19

    When an undercover operation has the NCIS team investigating a MMA gym and its fighters, Sam Hanna is tasked with donning gloves and entering the cage for a one-on-one fight.

    Director:Paris Barclay
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 20 - Fame
    7.9/10(429 votes)

    #20 - Fame

    S1:E20

    NCIS investigates the murder of a Navy officer entangled in the world of Hollywood glitz and glamour as the team is joined at Hetty's request by LAPD liaison Marty Deeks.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writer:Speed Weed

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  21. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 21 - Found
    8.2/10(443 votes)

    #21 - 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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  22. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 22 - Hunted
    7.7/10(393 votes)

    #22 - Hunted

    S1:E22

    The NCIS team is on the hunt for a terrorist who escaped Army custody during a secretive transfer in Los Angeles.

    Director:Steven DePaul
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 23 - Burned
    8.0/10(409 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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  24. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 24 - Callen, G
    8.1/10(426 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.

    Director:Tony Wharmby
    Writer:Shane Brennan

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Identity" is the best rated episode of "NCIS: Los Angeles" season 1. It scored 7.4/10 based on 707 votes. Directed by James Whitmore Jr. and written by Shane Brennan, it aired on 9/22/2009. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "The Only Easy Day".