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The Worst Episodes of NCIS

Every episode of NCIS ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of NCIS!

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From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, a team of special agents investigates any crime that has any connection to Navy and Marine Corps personnel, regardless of rank or position.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    NCIS Season 10 Episode 15 - Hereafter
    5.6/10(8 votes)

    #1 - Hereafter

    S10:E15

    On leave from NCIS while still grieving the loss of his wife and his kids’ mother, Director Vance discovers unexpected personal information that causes him to question everything.

    Director:Tony Wharmby
    Writer:Nicole Mirante-Matthews

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  2. NCIS Season 6 Episode 10 - Road Kill
    5.9/10(11 votes)

    #2 - Road Kill

    S6:E10

    The team investigates the death of a Petty Officer and discovers he may have been leading a violent secret life.

    Director:Thomas J. Wright
    Writer:Steven Kriozere

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  3. NCIS Season 12 Episode 20 - No Good Deed
    5.9/10(8 votes)

    #3 - No Good Deed

    S12:E20

    DiNozzo is partnered with his girlfriend ATF Special Agent Zoé Keates after evidence reveals that the murder weapon in an NCIS case was originally purchased for the controversial ATF sting operation “Operation Fast and Furious.”

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. NCIS Season 8 Episode 13 - Freedom
    6.0/10(9 votes)

    #4 - Freedom

    S8:E13

    The NCIS team springs into action to find the assailant responsible for beating a Marine to death in his own backyard.

    Director:Craig Ross Jr.
    Writer:Nicole Mirante-Matthews

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  5. NCIS Season 12 Episode 2 - Kill the Messenger
    6.0/10(8 votes)

    #5 - Kill the Messenger

    S12:E2

    When a Navy Lieutenant is killed on his way to a private meeting with the President, the NCIS team must determine if the murder was part of a recent stream of muggings in the area or a targeted hit to keep intel secret.

    Director:Leslie Libman
    Writer:Steven D. Binder

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  6. NCIS Season 5 Episode 12 - Stakeout
    6.1/10(10 votes)

    #6 - Stakeout

    S5:E12

    The NCIS team go on a stakeout in a warehouse to catch a suspected thief of a high-tech Naval radar, but they accidentally end up witnessing a murder.

    Director:Tony Wharmby
    Writers:Frank Cardea, George Schenck

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  7. NCIS Season 7 Episode 5 - Code of Conduct
    6.1/10(10 votes)

    #7 - Code of Conduct

    S7:E5

    When a Marine known for his practical jokes is found dead on Halloween Eve, the NCIS team discovers that the victim's "good-natured" pranks may have inspired ghoulish retribution.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writer:Christopher J. Waild

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  8. NCIS Season 8 Episode 19 - Tell-All
    6.1/10(9 votes)

    #8 - Tell-All

    S8:E19

    NCIS connects a message in blood left by a murdered Navy commander to a manuscript that may contain classified military information.

    Director:Kevin Rodney Sullivan
    Writer:Andrew Bartels

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  9. NCIS Season 6 Episode 3 - Capitol Offense
    6.2/10(10 votes)

    #9 - Capitol Offense

    S6:E3

    A distinguished senator asks Gibbs for help in solving the murder of a young female Naval officer.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writers:Frank Cardea, George Schenck

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  10. NCIS Season 12 Episode 16 - Blast from the Past
    6.2/10(9 votes)

    #10 - Blast from the Past

    S12:E16

    A covert identity created for one of Gibbs’ undercover cases from 20 years ago resurfaces when a murder victim is found living under the alias.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. NCIS Season 4 Episode 5 - Dead and Unburied
    6.3/10(10 votes)

    #11 - Dead and Unburied

    S4:E5

    When a missing Lance Corporal is found dead in a vacant house, the NCIS team discover that he was buried in the backyard and then exhumed. They learn about his identity and that he was to be deployed to Iraq, but he never showed up for duty.

    Director:Colin Bucksey
    Writer:Nell Scovell

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  12. NCIS Season 5 Episode 3 - Ex-File
    6.3/10(11 votes)

    #12 - Ex-File

    S5:E3

    Lt. Colonel Mann joins Gibbs in an investigation of the murder of a Marine Captain who had access to highly classified information. Things get very personal for Gibbs when one of the witnesses in the case turns out to be one of his ex-wives.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writer:Alfonso H. Moreno

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  13. NCIS Season 8 Episode 12 - Recruited
    6.3/10(9 votes)

    #13 - Recruited

    S8:E12

    A Petty Officer's recruitment session at a college fair comes to a fatal end, prompting the NCIS team, accompanied by Dr. Mallard's predecessor, to solve his murder.

    Director:Arvin Brown
    Writer:Gary Glasberg

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  14. NCIS Season 8 Episode 14 - A Man Walks Into a Bar ...
    6.3/10(9 votes)

    #14 - A Man Walks Into a Bar ...

    S8:E14

    The NCIS team undergoes mandatory psych evaluations while investigating the death of a Naval Commander.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writer:Gary Glasberg

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  15. NCIS Season 8 Episode 21 - Dead Reflection
    6.3/10(9 votes)

    #15 - Dead Reflection

    S8:E21

    The NCIS team tracks a Navy Lieutenant's killer after a Pentagon security camera reveals a Petty Officer committing the crime.

    Director:William Webb
    Writers:Frank Cardea, George Schenck

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  16. NCIS Season 13 Episode 9 - Day in Court
    6.3/10(11 votes)

    #16 - Day in Court

    S13:E9

    In order to clear his name, a Petty Officer volunteers to be court-martialed if NCIS agrees to conduct its own investigation after his murder case is dismissed due to a mishandled warrant.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. NCIS Season 3 Episode 14 - Light Sleeper
    6.4/10(11 votes)

    #17 - Light Sleeper

    S3:E14

    The NCIS team investigate the murder of two Marine wives, and must find the murderers before they attack their next target, another woman.

    Director:Colin Bucksey
    Writer:Christopher Silber

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  18. NCIS Season 3 Episode 4 - Silver War
    6.5/10(13 votes)

    #18 - Silver War

    S3:E4

    When a corpse of a man is found inside a tomb that comes from the Civil War, the team discover that the victim, a Sergeant, was buried alive. During the investigation, Abby tracks down the last phone call of the victim.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writer:John C. Kelley

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  19. NCIS Season 4 Episode 22 - In the Dark
    6.5/10(8 votes)

    #19 - In the Dark

    S4:E22

    When a blind photographer shoots the body of a Petty Officer on film, the NCIS team use his special insight to investigate the crime.

    Director:Thomas J. Wright
    Writer:Steven D. Binder

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  20. NCIS Season 9 Episode 11 - Newborn King
    6.5/10(11 votes)

    #20 - Newborn King

    S9:E11

    When a Navy Captain is killed in a hotel room, NCIS must track down and protect his very pregnant companion from unknown assailants.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writer:Christopher J. Waild

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  21. NCIS Season 2 Episode 16 - Pop Life
    6.6/10(11 votes)

    #21 - Pop Life

    S2:E16

    NCIS start an investigation after Petty Officer Manda King is found dead in a bartender's bed. The suspect is the owner of a competing club where Manda's sister sings.

    Director:Thomas J. Wright
    Writer:Frank Military

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  22. NCIS Season 6 Episode 5 - Nine Lives
    6.6/10(10 votes)

    #22 - Nine Lives

    S6:E5

    Gibbs' hunt for the killer of a Marine puts him on a collision course with an old friend.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writer:David J. North

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  23. NCIS Season 12 Episode 18 - Status Update
    6.6/10(9 votes)

    #23 - Status Update

    S12:E18

    After the body of a thief is found in a Marine’s house, NCIS discovers the calling card of a terror group Delilah and the Department of Defense have been tracking.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. NCIS Season 12 Episode 22 - Troll
    6.6/10(8 votes)

    #24 - Troll

    S12:E22

    Special Agent Ned Dorneget from NCIS cyber operations assists the team when a Navy ensign who worked in the Office of Naval Intelligence is murdered.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writer:Scott Williams

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  25. NCIS Season 7 Episode 10 - Faith
    6.7/10(10 votes)

    #25 - Faith

    S7:E10

    The body of the son of a retired Colonel-turned-preacher is found and the team have their suspicions that he may be the victim of a hate crime.

    Director:Arvin Brown
    Writer:Gary Glasberg

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Hereafter" is the worst rated episode of "NCIS". It scored 5.6/10 based on 8 votes. Directed by Tony Wharmby and written by Nicole Mirante-Matthews, it aired on 2/19/2013. This episode scored 0.3 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Road Kill".