8.2/10971 votes#1 - Nature of the Beast
Season 9 Episode 1 - Aired 9/20/2011
Gibbs and the NCIS team have to find answers regarding Tony's months-long assignment when an NCIS agent is found dead.
Director: Tony Wharmby
Writer: Gary Glasberg
7.6/10770 votes#2 - Restless
Season 9 Episode 2 - Aired 9/27/2011
The NCIS team uncovers a startling surprise after a young Marine shows up to his homecoming party with a fatal stab wound.
Director: James Whitmore Jr.
Writer: Steven D. Binder
7.4/10784 votes#3 - The Penelope Papers
Season 9 Episode 3 - Aired 10/4/2011
The line between McGee's personal and professional life is blurred when NCIS uncovers a connection between his grandmother and the murder of a Navy Lieutenant.
Director: Arvin Brown
Writer: Nicole Mirante-Matthews
7.7/10810 votes#4 - Enemy on the Hill
Season 9 Episode 4 - Aired 10/11/2011
The NCIS team searches for the person and motive behind a contract killer targeting a Navy Lieutenant Commander. Meanwhile, Abby uncovers new information about her family after undergoing tests for a kidney donation.
Director: Dennis Smith
Writer: Frank Cardea, George Schenck
7.7/10775 votes#5 - Safe Harbor
Season 9 Episode 5 - Aired 10/18/2011
When a coast guard officer is gunned down on a cargo vessel, the NCIS team searches for the killer, but finds a Lebanese family seeking refuge on American soil. Meanwhile, Tony and McGee try and find the perfect woman for Gibbs.
Director: Terrence O'Hara
Writer: Christopher J. Waild
7.4/10790 votes#6 - Thirst
Season 9 Episode 6 - Aired 10/25/2011
An NCIS case changes from accidental death to murder when evidence reveals that a Navy lieutenant died of forced over-hydration. Meanwhile, Gibbs meets Ducky's new love interest.
Director: Thomas J. Wright
Writer: Scott Williams
8.1/10826 votes#7 - Devil's Triangle
Season 9 Episode 7 - Aired 11/1/2011
The NCIS team searches for answers when the current husband of both Gibbs's and Fornell's ex-wife is suspiciously kidnapped.
Director: Leslie Libman
Writer: Steven D. Binder
8.0/10807 votes#8 - Engaged (1)
Season 9 Episode 8 - Aired 11/8/2011
The NCIS team uncovers a discrepancy with DNA remains when investigating the crash of a military plane that had been transporting caskets.
Director: James Whitmore Jr.
Writer: Gina Lucita Monreal
8.1/10803 votes#9 - Engaged (2)
Season 9 Episode 9 - Aired 11/15/2011
As the NCIS team continues its search for a missing Marine, Gibbs and Ziva travel to her last known whereabouts in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Tony reveals his deepest fears and Gibbs is forced to relive events from his past.
Director: Tony Wharmby
Writer: Gary Glasberg
7.6/10740 votes#10 - Sins of the Father
Season 9 Episode 10 - Aired 11/22/2011
After Anthony DiNozzo, Sr. is found in a car with a dead body in the trunk and no memory of the previous night, the NCIS team must figure out if he is capable of murder. Meanwhile, Tony is sidelined for this case and must go against orders to try and prove his father’s innocence.
Director: Arvin Brown
Writer: Frank Cardea, George Schenck
8.0/10841 votes#11 - Newborn King
Season 9 Episode 11 - Aired 12/13/2011
When a Navy captain is killed in a hotel room, NCIS must track down and protect his very pregnant companion from unknown assailants. Meanwhile, Jimmy has problems of his own when he brings his future father-in-law to work.
Director: Dennis Smith
Writer: Christopher J. Waild
8.0/10806 votes#12 - Housekeeping
Season 9 Episode 12 - Aired 1/3/2012
The investigation into the murder of a Navy Commander leads the NCIS team to E.J. Barrett’s whereabouts.
Director: Terrence O'Hara
Writer: Scott Williams
7.7/10753 votes#13 - A Desperate Man
Season 9 Episode 13 - Aired 1/10/2012
When a Navy lieutenant commander is found dead in a building under construction, NCIS must search for a killer while dealing with interruptions from her distraught detective husband. Meanwhile, Ray’s return has Ziva thinking about her future.
Director: Leslie Libman
Writer: Nicole Mirante-Matthews
8.1/101,132 votes#14 - Life Before His Eyes
Season 9 Episode 14 - Aired 2/7/2012
During a routine stop for his morning coffee, Gibbs finds himself staring down the barrel of a gun, forcing him to question choices he has made in the past and present
Director: Tony Wharmby
Writer: Gary Glasberg
7.8/10755 votes#15 - Secrets
Season 9 Episode 15 - Aired 2/14/2012
When a Navy captain is found dead with an unusual costume hidden under his uniform, NCIS uncovers a secret society of real-life super heroes and must track down the villain.
Director: Leslie Libman
Writer: Steven D. Binder
7.7/10735 votes#16 - Psych Out
Season 9 Episode 16 - Aired 2/21/2012
Gibbs clashes with Dr. Samantha Ryan (guest star Jamie Lee Curtis) over the truth behind a navy reservist's possible suicide
Director: Dennis Smith
Writer: Gary Glasberg
7.5/10689 votes#17 - Need to Know
Season 9 Episode 17 - Aired 2/28/2012
Top-secret clearance from a Naval research laboratory is jeopardized when the murder of a Chief Petty Officer is connected to an international arms dealer. Meanwhile, Probationary Agent Ned Dorneget tries to butter up Gibbs in hopes of joining the team.
Director: Michelle MacLaren
Writer: Frank Cardea, George Schenck
7.6/10725 votes#18 - The Tell
Season 9 Episode 18 - Aired 3/20/2012
The Secretary of the Navy partners Gibbs with Dr. Samantha Ryan after top secret information is leaked by someone on the inside.
Director: Thomas J. Wright
Writer: Gina Lucita Monreal
7.6/10699 votes#19 - The Good Son
Season 9 Episode 19 - Aired 3/27/2012
A case hits close to home when the lead suspect in the murder of a petty officer is Director Vance's brother-in-law.
Director: Terrence O'Hara
Writer: Scott Williams
7.3/10690 votes#20 - The Missionary Position
Season 9 Episode 20 - Aired 4/10/2012
Following the murder of a Marine, Tony and Ziva join Ziva’s longtime friend and mentor in Columbia in a search for a missing Marine Lieutenant and Navy Chaplain. Meanwhile, Jimmy Palmer decides who will be his best man.
Director: Arvin Brown
Writer: Allison Abner
8.0/10746 votes#21 - Rekindled
Season 9 Episode 21 - Aired 4/17/2012
After a warehouse fire reveals missing Navy documents, posing a potential threat to national security, the NCIS team joins the Baltimore P.D. investigation, reuniting Tony with a boy from his past.
Director: Mark Horowitz
Writer: Christopher J. Waild, Reed Steiner
8.1/10715 votes#22 - Playing with Fire
Season 9 Episode 22 - Aired 5/1/2012
The NCIS investigation of a fire on a Navy vessel reveals evidence that elevates security at all U.S. Navy facilities worldwide. Meanwhile, DiNozzo and Ziva travel to Italy when an explosive device is found hidden on a Navy ship.
Director: Dennis Smith
Writer: George Schenck
8.1/10723 votes#23 - Up in Smoke
Season 9 Episode 23 - Aired 5/8/2012
The NCIS team analyzes what secrets could be in the hands of a terrorist targeting the Navy when a high-tech bug is found inside a probationary agent’s tooth. Meanwhile, the festivities for Jimmy Palmer’s upcoming wedding continue with the bachelor party.
Director: James Whitmore Jr.
Writer: Steven D. Binder
8.8/101,056 votes#24 - Till Death Do Us Part
Season 9 Episode 24 - Aired 5/15/2012
Terrorism shakes the foundations of the Navy and NCIS to such an extent that Gibbs and the team face surprises that will devastate them.
Director: Tony Wharmby
Writer: Gary Glasberg
The Best Episodes of NCIS Season 9
Every episode of NCIS Season 9 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of NCIS Season 9!
From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, a team of special agents investigates any crime that has a shred of evidence connected to...
Genres:CrimeDramaAction & Adventure
Network:CBS
Season 9 Ratings Summary
"Nature of the Beast" is the best rated episode of "NCIS" season 9. It scored 8.2/10 based on 971 votes. Directed by Tony Wharmby and written by Gary Glasberg, it aired on 9/20/2011. This episode is rated 0.6 points higher than the second-best, "Restless".