Show cover for NCIS: Los Angeles

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!

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.
Genres:Action & AdventureDramaCrimeMystery
Network:CBS

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Identity" is the best rated episode of "NCIS: Los Angeles" season 1. It scored 7.4/10 based on 673 votes. Directed by James Whitmore Jr. and written by Shane Brennan, it aired on 9/22/2009. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "The Only Easy Day".

  • Identity
    7.4/10673 votes

    #1 - Identity

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 9/22/2009

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

    Director: James Whitmore Jr.

    Writer: Shane Brennan

  • The Only Easy Day
    7.1/10536 votes

    #2 - The Only Easy Day

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 9/29/2009

    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

  • Predator
    7.3/10481 votes

    #3 - Predator

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 10/6/2009

    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: N/A

  • Search and Destroy
    7.5/10452 votes

    #4 - Search and Destroy

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/13/2009

    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

  • Killshot
    7.5/10468 votes

    #5 - Killshot

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 10/20/2009

    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

  • Keepin' It Real
    7.5/10450 votes

    #6 - Keepin' It Real

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 11/3/2009

    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: N/A

  • Pushback
    7.9/10466 votes

    #7 - Pushback

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 11/10/2009

    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

  • Ambush
    7.9/10457 votes

    #8 - Ambush

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 11/17/2009

    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: N/A

  • Random on Purpose
    8.1/10493 votes

    #9 - Random on Purpose

    Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 11/24/2009

    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

  • Brimstone
    7.4/10430 votes

    #10 - Brimstone

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 12/15/2009

    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

  • Breach
    7.3/10404 votes

    #11 - Breach

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 1/5/2010

    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

    Writer: Shane Brennan, R. Scott Gemmill

  • Past Lives
    7.8/10431 votes

    #12 - Past Lives

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 1/12/2010

    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: N/A

  • Missing
    8.0/10453 votes

    #13 - Missing

    Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 1/26/2010

    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

  • LD50
    7.6/10411 votes

    #14 - LD50

    Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 2/2/2010

    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

  • The Bank Job
    7.8/10421 votes

    #15 - The Bank Job

    Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 2/9/2010

    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: N/A

  • Chinatown
    7.4/10397 votes

    #16 - Chinatown

    Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 3/2/2010

    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: N/A

  • Full Throttle
    7.4/10407 votes

    #17 - Full Throttle

    Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 3/9/2010

    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: N/A

  • Blood Brothers
    7.4/10380 votes

    #18 - Blood Brothers

    Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 3/16/2010

    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: N/A

  • Hand-to-Hand
    7.9/10452 votes

    #19 - Hand-to-Hand

    Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 4/6/2010

    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: N/A

  • Fame
    7.8/10417 votes

    #20 - Fame

    Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 4/27/2010

    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

  • Found
    8.1/10433 votes

    #21 - Found

    Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 5/4/2010

    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

  • Hunted
    7.6/10382 votes

    #22 - Hunted

    Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 5/11/2010

    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: N/A

  • Burned
    7.9/10396 votes

    #23 - Burned

    Season 1 Episode 23 - Aired 5/18/2010

    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: N/A

  • Callen, G
    8.1/10412 votes

    #24 - Callen, G

    Season 1 Episode 24 - Aired 5/25/2010

    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