NCIS: Los Angeles backdrop
Action & AdventureDramaCrime

The Best Episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4

Every episode of NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4!

Binge this in 17h 15mPeaking at 8.4/10

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.

Airs on

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 1 - Endgame
    7.9/10(418 votes)

    #1 - Endgame

    S4:E1

    Following Callen’s public shooting of the Chameleon, all is not well with the NCIS: LA team, as Callen is placed on suspension and Hetty adjusts to retired life.

    Director:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 2 - Recruit
    7.7/10(374 votes)

    #2 - Recruit

    S4:E2

    A drone strike on a bomb-making compound in Afghanistan reveals the body of a recently retired Marine, leaving the NCIS: LA team to investigate why the Marine returned to Afghanistan and whether or not he betrayed the country he fought for.

    Director:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 3 - The Fifth Man
    7.8/10(392 votes)

    #3 - The Fifth Man

    S4:E3

    The NCIS: LA team investigate a compromised intel operation after four people connected to the classified project are killed at a diner explosion. As Deeks and Kensi are on the trail of those involved, they learn that a wayward teenage girl might be related and Kensi can’t help but be empathetic to her situation.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 4 - Dead Body Politic
    7.5/10(353 votes)

    #4 - Dead Body Politic

    S4:E4

    The NCIS: LA team investigates the tragic death of a U.S. senatorial candidate’s staffer who is run over crossing the street. The high-profile case becomes a matter of national security as the agents must determine whether it is an isolated tragic incident or a politically connected plot that might put others in danger.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 5 - Out of the Past (1)
    7.9/10(374 votes)

    #5 - Out of the Past (1)

    S4:E5

    When a CIA agent who worked with Sam Hanna over eight years ago seeks his help and is soon found dead of an apparent suicide, Hanna and Callen suspect foul play and a bigger conspiracy. Meanwhile, Deeks finds his inner “dog whisperer” with Kensi as the two go undercover and enter a dog show with a prized poodle.

    Director:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 6 - Rude Awakenings (2)
    7.9/10(363 votes)

    #6 - Rude Awakenings (2)

    S4:E6

    The NCIS: LA team continues their investigation behind the death of a CIA agent that leads to a dangerous ring of Russian super agents. In a race against time, Hanna risks having a secret exposed.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles

    READ
  8. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 7 - Skin Deep
    7.6/10(338 votes)

    #7 - Skin Deep

    S4:E7

    The NCIS: LA team heads to the beach to question the possible link between a surfer, an Internet video and a dead Naval tech scientist. Meanwhile, as Callen and Hanna investigate the victim’s intelligence connections, Deeks and Kensi go undercover to catch their suspects and some waves.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 8 - Collateral
    7.8/10(342 votes)

    #8 - Collateral

    S4:E8

    The NCIS: LA team questions the motive behind the murder of a retired CIA agent turned millionaire and in the process also questions what Hetty knows about the case.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 9 - The Gold Standard
    7.6/10(337 votes)

    #9 - The Gold Standard

    S4:E9

    The NCIS: Los Angeles team investigates the strange and brazen heist executed by gunmen in costumes that could directly impact the U.S. economy. Meanwhile, as Deeks testifies on a case, Granger insists on partnering up with a very reluctant Kensi.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 10 - Free Ride
    8.1/10(353 votes)

    #10 - Free Ride

    S4:E10

    Callen, Sam, Kensi and Deeks spend Christmas aboard an aircraft carrier investigating the death of a fellow NCIS special agent. Meanwhile, Nell and Eric make the most of the holidays back at headquarters and Hetty takes a trip.

    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 11 - Drive
    7.7/10(351 votes)

    #11 - Drive

    S4:E11

    A former defendant of Deeks is targeted for discovering information that could dismantle a lucrative car shipping operation with links to a global terrorist ring. Meanwhile, the NCIS: LA team tackles the large-scale stolen car operation from the inside when Kensi goes undercover in an auto body shop.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 12 - Paper Soldiers
    7.8/10(350 votes)

    #12 - Paper Soldiers

    S4:E12

    A distraught widow is suspicious of the circumstances surrounding her Marine husband’s last battle and Sam and Callen help to determine if there has been a cover-up. Meanwhile, Hetty summons Operational Psychologist Nate Getz to be her “pawn” and the rest of the NCIS: LA sense another evaluation on the horizon.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 13 - The Chosen One
    7.7/10(338 votes)

    #13 - The Chosen One

    S4:E13

    Callen goes undercover to infiltrate a network of Chechen terrorists who are recruiting foreign fighters to join their cause and planning their next attack in the U.S.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 14 - Kill House
    8.1/10(355 votes)

    #14 - Kill House

    S4:E14

    Callen, Sam, Kensi and Deeks go undercover as an elite tactical force in order to investigate an ambush tied to a cartel kingpin with terrorist connections.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 15 - History
    7.5/10(328 votes)

    #15 - History

    S4:E15

    An NCIS: LA investigation leads the team to question a lone survivor of a former terrorist organization, while Kensi and Deeks follow the trail into the woods

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 16 - Lohkay
    7.6/10(321 votes)

    #16 - Lohkay

    S4:E16

    Callen is concerned that Sam might be too invested after he takes on a missing persons case for an Afghani elder who helped him years ago when he was wounded on a mission.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 17 - Wanted
    8.0/10(362 votes)

    #17 - Wanted

    S4:E17

    Sam fears for his family’s safety when his wife is called to resume a former CIA cover after a case suggests ties to the infamous Sidorov and his stolen nuke.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 18 - Red (1)
    7.5/10(584 votes)

    #18 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 19 - Red (2)
    7.4/10(363 votes)

    #19 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 20 - Purity
    7.6/10(339 votes)

    #20 - Purity

    S4:E20

    When cyanide in a communal water jug lethally poisons a lieutenant and leaves a Navy pilot in serious condition, the NCIS: LA team investigates whether this is an isolated incident or an early test for large-scale water contamination.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 21 - Resurrection
    7.7/10(335 votes)

    #21 - Resurrection

    S4:E21

    A body is stolen after a special task force successfully takes down an infamous cartel boss, leaving the NCIS: LA team to investigate the leak and track down the missing body.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 22 - Raven & the Swans
    7.8/10(360 votes)

    #22 - Raven & the Swans

    S4:E22

    Callen questions Hetty’s motivations when a bizarre case involving a mysterious woman is revealed to be an undercover agent from her past.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 23 - Parley
    7.9/10(361 votes)

    #23 - Parley

    S4:E23

    Deeks goes undercover to obtain information about an infamous arms dealer looking to get back in the business, but the woman he befriends leads the operation in a dangerous directon. Meanwhile, Kensi confronts new emotions as she runs surveillance on Deeks and his female source.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 24 - Descent
    8.4/10(465 votes)

    #24 - Descent

    S4:E24

    A nuclear explosion in the Pacific reignites the search for stolen nuclear weapons and prompts Hetty to shuffle the NCIS: LA partnerships, sending Callen and Kensi overseas and leaving Sam and Deeks teamed up state side.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 4 Ratings Summary

"Endgame" is the best rated episode of "NCIS: Los Angeles" season 4. It scored 7.9/10 based on 418 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Shane Brennan, it aired on 9/25/2012. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Recruit".