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The Best Episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12

Every episode of NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12!

Binge this in 13h 30m•Peaking at 8.1/10

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 12 Episode 1 - The Bear
    7.3/10(327 votes)

    #1 - The Bear

    S12:E1

    When a Russian bomber goes missing while flying over U.S. soil, Callen and Sam must track it down in the desert and secure its weapons and intel before the Russians on board destroy the plane. Meanwhile, Hetty gives Nell a cryptic assignment.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill

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  2. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 2 - War Crimes
    7.7/10(279 votes)

    #2 - War Crimes

    S12:E2

    As the trial begins of a Chief Petty Officer who Callen and Sam arrested for war crimes last year, the NCIS team is called to help find the missing star witness.

    Director:Yangzom Brauen
    Writer:Jordana Lewis Jaffe

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  3. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 3 - Angry Karen
    7.5/10(269 votes)

    #3 - Angry Karen

    S12:E3

    When Nell sends Sam to meet an informant who plans to blow the whistle on a military secret, Hanna's life is in danger when the man tries to run him down and kill him. Also, Kensi and Deeks debate whether or not to buy their first house.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill

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  4. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 4 - Cash Flow
    6.9/10(283 votes)

    #4 - Cash Flow

    S12:E4

    The body of a murdered Navy reservist is found by thieves in the midst of a robbery and NCIS must work with the burglars to find the killer. Also, Kensi and Deeks struggle to decide if they are ready to make the leap and buy a house.

    Director:Yangzom Brauen
    Writer:Kyle Harimoto

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  5. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 5 - Raising the Dead
    7.4/10(281 votes)

    #5 - Raising the Dead

    S12:E5

    In order to get intel on a matter of national security, Kensi must come face-to-face with a sociopath who has been obsessed with her since she put him in jail years ago. Also, though Deeks is desperate to keep Kensi safe, he is forced to leave NCIS.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writer:Frank Military

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  6. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 6 - If The Fates Allow
    7.8/10(266 votes)

    #6 - If The Fates Allow

    S12:E6

    Before Christmas, Hetty assigns Callen the case of his former foster brother and his wife who, upon reentry into the U.S., are framed for smuggling drugs across the border in her oxygen tanks. Also, Deeks is struggling with losing his job at NCIS.

    Director:Dan Liu
    Writer:Andrew Bartels

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  7. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 7 - Overdue
    7.3/10(258 votes)

    #7 - Overdue

    S12:E7

    The NCIS team's murder investigation of a man who sold military information leads to the abduction of a doctor whose cutting edge neurotechnology could be developed into advanced weaponry. Team members are interviewed by FLETC to see if Deeks would make a good NCIS agent. Callen tries to have an important talk with Arkady.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writer:Chad Mazero

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  8. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 8 - Love Kills
    7.5/10(253 votes)

    #8 - 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
    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill

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  9. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 9 - A Fait Accompli
    7.5/10(273 votes)

    #9 - 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.

    Director:Eric A. Pot
    Writers:Kyle Harimoto, Matt Klafter

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  10. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 10 - The Frogman’s Daughter
    6.3/10(335 votes)

    #10 - The Frogman’s Daughter

    S12:E10

    When Sam’s daughter Kam is kidnapped after leading citywide protests he will stop at nothing to find her. Also Deeks rejoins NCIS and Callen searches for answers about Anna

    Director:Tawnia McKiernan
    Writers:Jordana Lewis Jaffe, Indira G. Wilson

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  11. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 11 - Russia, Russia, Russia
    8.1/10(283 votes)

    #11 - 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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  12. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 12 - Can't Take My Eyes Off You (I)
    7.6/10(248 votes)

    #12 - Can't Take My Eyes Off You (I)

    S12:E12

    After Callen receives a cryptic message from Hetty, he tracks down the person tailing him, bringing him to a remote location teeming with Russians… and face to face with Anna.

    Director:Tawnia McKiernan
    Writer:Lee A. Carlisle

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  13. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 13 - Red Rover, Red Rover (II)
    7.8/10(244 votes)

    #13 - Red Rover, Red Rover (II)

    S12:E13

    To rescue Joelle from further torture by the Russians, Callen and NCIS must offer up Anna as bait to Katya. Also, Callen finally discovers who accused him of being a Russian spy.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writer:Andrew Bartels

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  14. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 14 - The Noble Maidens (III)
    7.7/10(251 votes)

    #14 - The Noble Maidens (III)

    S12:E14

    Callen and the team discover that Anna is being held by a group with ties to Anna's upbringing and must rescue her before she is forcibly returned to Russia. Also, Admiral Kilbride makes Nell a serious offer.

    Director:James Hanlon
    Writers:R. Scott Gemmill, Chad Mazero

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  15. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 15 - Imposter Syndrome
    7.7/10(238 votes)

    #15 - Imposter Syndrome

    S12:E15

    NCIS obtains a hard drive containing a realistic deep fake video of a deceased terrorist and must retrieve the dangerous technology behind it. However, when the team’s comms are highjacked during their mission, they find that one of their own has been a victim of its potential.

    Director:Eric A. Pot
    Writer:Samantha Chasse

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  16. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 16 - Signs of Change
    7.8/10(247 votes)

    #16 - Signs of Change

    S12:E16

    When military grade technology is stolen, a deaf engineer, Sienna Marchione, who always wanted to serve her country, and the only member of her team to survive the theft, helps Kensi and NCIS track down the tech before it’s taken out of the country.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writers:Jordana Lewis Jaffe, Indira G. Wilson

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  17. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 17 - Through the Looking Glass
    7.6/10(243 votes)

    #17 - Through the Looking Glass

    S12:E17

    When a Naval Intelligence Officer is tortured and murdered, NCIS must work with Joelle, who informs them that other CIA operatives are being killed in the same way. Also, Kensi receives a threatening postcard from David Kessler, the sociopath who is obsessed with her.

    Director:Frank Military
    Writer:Frank Military

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  18. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 18 - A Tale of Two Igors
    8.0/10(262 votes)

    #18 - A Tale of Two Igors

    S12:E18

    Deeks is kidnapped by an associate of Kirkin’s in need of his help and NCIS investigates the shooting of a militarized dolphin equipped with a Russian microchip. Also, Beale makes Nell an interesting offer and Hetty returns.

    Director:John Peter Kousakis
    Writers:R. Scott Gemmill, Kyle Harimoto

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Season 12 Ratings Summary

"The Bear" is the best rated episode of "NCIS: Los Angeles" season 12. It scored 7.3/10 based on 327 votes. Directed by Dennis Smith and written by R. Scott Gemmill, it aired on 11/8/2020. This episode is rated 0.4 points higher than the second-best, "War Crimes".