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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 Navy and Marine Corps personnel, regardless of rank or position.

Genres:CrimeDramaAction & Adventure
Network:CBS

Season 9 Ratings Summary

The best episode of "NCIS" season 9 is "Nature of the Beast", rated 8.2/10 from 960 user votes. It was directed by Tony Wharmby and written by Gary Glasberg. "Nature of the Beast" aired on 9/20/2011 and is rated 0.6 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Restless".

  • Nature of the Beast
    8.2/10 960 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

  • Restless
    7.6/10 758 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

  • The Penelope Papers
    7.4/10 771 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

  • Enemy on the Hill
    7.7/10 798 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

  • Safe Harbor
    7.7/10 763 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

  • Thirst
    7.4/10 776 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

  • Devil's Triangle
    8.1/10 813 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

  • Engaged (1)
    8.0/10 791 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

  • Engaged (2)
    8.1/10 787 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

  • Sins of the Father
    7.6/10 728 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

  • Newborn King
    8.0/10 823 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

  • Housekeeping
    8.0/10 794 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

  • A Desperate Man
    7.7/10 740 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

  • Life Before His Eyes
    8.1/10 1,117 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

  • Secrets
    7.8/10 744 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

  • Psych Out
    7.7/10 724 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

  • Need to Know
    7.5/10 676 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

  • The Tell
    7.6/10 714 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

  • The Good Son
    7.6/10 688 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

  • The Missionary Position
    7.3/10 679 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

  • Rekindled
    8.0/10 734 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

  • Playing with Fire
    8.1/10 705 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

  • Up in Smoke
    8.1/10 712 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

  • Till Death Do Us Part
    8.8/10 1,044 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