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The Best Episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3

Every episode of NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3!

Binge this in 17h 6m•Peaking at 8.6/10

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 3 Episode 1 - Lange, H.
    8.4/10(472 votes)

    #1 - Lange, H.

    S3:E1

    The Special Projects team travels to Romania to search for Hetty, while delving into the history of the Comescu crime family, and their connection to Callen.

    Director:Tony Wharmby
    Writer:Shane Brennan

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  2. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 2 - Cyber Threat
    7.8/10(398 votes)

    #2 - Cyber Threat

    S3:E2

    The NCIS team joins forces with the NSA to find the creator and controller of a software program linked to a cyber attack against the Department of Defense. Meanwhile, Callen continues searching for more information about his past.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill

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  3. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 3 - Backstopped
    7.9/10(378 votes)

    #3 - Backstopped

    S3:E3

    Special Agent Sam Hanna is sent undercover as a bomb specialist as the team races to locate stolen explosives somewhere in the city. Meanwhile, to much protest, Hunter changes the dynamics of the team and has Callen partnered with Kensi and Sam with Deeks.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 4 - Deadline
    7.6/10(367 votes)

    #4 - Deadline

    S3:E4

    The NCIS team delves into the underground world of the Libyan resistance movement following the murder of a news reporter, and Hetty reveals details about Callen’s past.

    Director:Kate Woods
    Writer:Gil Grant

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  5. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 5 - Sacrifice
    7.8/10(382 votes)

    #5 - Sacrifice

    S3:E5

    The LAPD calls upon the NCIS team when a raid links a Mexican drug cartel to a wanted terrorist. Meanwhile, Sam’s most prized possession is stolen.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Shane Brennan

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  6. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 6 - Lone Wolf
    7.6/10(361 votes)

    #6 - Lone Wolf

    S3:E6

    The NCIS team investigates the murder of a former Navy intelligence officer who had been living a double life and traveling overseas on false passports.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writer:Christina M. Kim

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  7. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 7 - Honor
    7.9/10(361 votes)

    #7 - 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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  8. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 8 - Greed
    7.8/10(369 votes)

    #8 - Greed

    S3:E8

    When a Navy ID is found on a dead body tied to a hazardous material smuggling case, NCIS is granted permission to investigate in Mexico and asked to help locate the missing materials.

    Director:Jan Eliasberg
    Writer:Frank Military

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  9. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 9 - Betrayal
    8.1/10(387 votes)

    #9 - 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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  10. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 10 - The Debt
    8.3/10(425 votes)

    #10 - The Debt

    S3:E10

    A botched assignment forces Hetty to fire Deeks and send him back to the LAPD. Meanwhile, an awkward goodbye between Kensi and Deeks leaves her with unexpected emotions for her old partner

    Director:Steven DePaul
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 11 - Higher Power
    7.9/10(356 votes)

    #11 - Higher Power

    S3:E11

    The NCIS team must locate a classified device with the power to destroy Los Angeles that was stolen from a college research facility. Meanwhile, Sam tries to track down a highly sought-after Christmas present for his daughter, and Eric meets Nell’s parents.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Joe Sachs

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  12. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 12 - The Watchers
    7.8/10(350 votes)

    #12 - The Watchers

    S3:E12

    A new Assistant Director is assigned to oversee LA operations for NCIS, the team begins to wonder what his intentions really are.

    Director:Tony Wharmby
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 13 - Exit Strategy
    7.7/10(341 votes)

    #13 - Exit Strategy

    S3:E13

    When a vehicle transporting Jada Khaled is ambushed, NCIS must track down the culprit to save her and their case. Meanwhile, Sam is forced to confront Jada for the first time since returning from Sudan.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 14 - Partners
    7.9/10(365 votes)

    #14 - Partners

    S3:E14

    After a diplomatic service van transporting an unknown package from the State Department is hijacked, the NCIS team must determine who committed the crime and what has gone missing. Meanwhile, Callen and Sam celebrate five years as partners, but face one of their biggest challenges when they go undercover for a case.

    Director:Eric Laneuville
    Writer:Gil Grant

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  15. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 15 - Crimeleon
    8.3/10(417 votes)

    #15 - Crimeleon

    S3:E15

    With Assistant Director Granger critiquing every move, the NCIS team must track down a chameleon-like killer who has evaded law enforcement agents, including their very own Special Agent G. Callen, across several countries.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Frank Military

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  16. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 16 - Blye, K. (1)
    8.3/10(425 votes)

    #16 - 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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  17. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 17 - Blye, K. (2)
    8.5/10(455 votes)

    #17 - 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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  18. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 18 - The Dragon and the Fairy
    8.0/10(385 votes)

    #18 - The Dragon and the Fairy

    S3:E18

    The NCIS: LA team investigates a shooting outside the Vietnamese Consulate just prior to an international conference at the venue that the Secretary of the Navy is scheduled to attend.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 19 - Vengeance
    7.7/10(384 votes)

    #19 - Vengeance

    S3:E19

    When the body of a Navy Intel Officer is found, evidence points to a team of Navy SEALs who are about to depart on a hostage rescue mission, leaving former Navy SEAL Sam Hanna to interrogate the group and possibly compromise the mission.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Frank Military

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  20. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 20 - Patriot Acts
    7.8/10(363 votes)

    #20 - Patriot Acts

    S3:E20

    When a former Marine is suspected of creating a chemical bomb, the NCIS: LA team joins the FBI’s domestic terrorist task force including Operational Psychologist Nate Getz.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 21 - Touch of Death (II)
    7.9/10(498 votes)

    #21 - Touch of Death (II)

    S3:E21

    The joint NCIS: Los Angeles and Hawaii Five-0 task force travel from Hawaii to Los Angeles, when the lead suspect in the case moves to the mainland with a deadly virus in tow. The crossover starts on Hawaii Five-0 S02E21 Pa Make Loa (Touch of Death) (I).

    Director:Tony Wharmby
    Writers:Michele Fazekas, R. Scott Gemmill

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  22. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 22 - Neighborhood Watch
    8.6/10(481 votes)

    #22 - Neighborhood Watch

    S3:E22

    Kensi and Deeks are sent undercover as married couple Melissa and Justin when evidence points to a Russian sleeper cell in a suburban neighborhood.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 23 - Sans Voir (1)
    8.2/10(403 votes)

    #23 - Sans Voir (1)

    S3:E23

    Callen and the NCIS: LA team confront their vengeful adversary, the Chameleon, when an undercover case ignites a deadly mind game orchestrated by the criminal mastermind.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 24 - Sans Voir (2)
    8.4/10(398 votes)

    #24 - Sans Voir (2)

    S3:E24

    The L.A. team is drawn into a deadly mind game against a master criminal motivated by Revenge.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 3 Ratings Summary

"Lange, H." is the best rated episode of "NCIS: Los Angeles" season 3. It scored 8.4/10 based on 472 votes. Directed by Tony Wharmby and written by Shane Brennan, it aired on 9/20/2011. This episode is rated 0.6 points higher than the second-best, "Cyber Threat".