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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
    5.3/10(10 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 12 Episode 2 - Kill the Messenger
    5.7/10(11 votes)

    #2 - 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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  3. NCIS Season 6 Episode 10 - Road Kill
    5.9/10(12 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. NCIS Season 12 Episode 20 - No Good Deed
    5.9/10(9 votes)

    #4 - No Good Deed

    S12:E20

    DiNozzo is partnered with his girlfriend ATF Special Agent Zoe 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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  5. NCIS Season 13 Episode 9 - Day in Court
    5.9/10(13 votes)

    #5 - 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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  6. NCIS Season 8 Episode 13 - Freedom
    6.0/10(10 votes)

    #6 - 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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  7. NCIS Season 5 Episode 12 - Stakeout
    6.1/10(11 votes)

    #7 - 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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  8. NCIS Season 7 Episode 5 - Code of Conduct
    6.1/10(11 votes)

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

    #9 - 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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  10. NCIS Season 2 Episode 16 - Pop Life
    6.2/10(13 votes)

    #10 - 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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  11. NCIS Season 6 Episode 3 - Capitol Offense
    6.2/10(11 votes)

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

    #12 - 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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  13. NCIS Season 3 Episode 14 - Light Sleeper
    6.3/10(12 votes)

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

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

    #15 - 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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  16. NCIS Season 8 Episode 12 - Recruited
    6.3/10(10 votes)

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

    #17 - 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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  18. NCIS Season 8 Episode 21 - Dead Reflection
    6.3/10(10 votes)

    #18 - 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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  19. NCIS Season 12 Episode 1 - Twenty Klicks
    6.3/10(10 votes)

    #19 - Twenty Klicks

    S12:E1

    Gibbs and McGee travel to Russia to safely escort home an NCIS computer engineer with classified intel, but their mission is compromised and they are forced to go off the grid while hunted by a mercenary group.

    Director:Tony Wharmby
    Writers:Scott Williams, Gary Glasberg

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  20. NCIS Season 13 Episode 2 - Personal Day
    6.3/10(12 votes)

    #20 - Personal Day

    S13:E2

    Gibbs calls on the team to assist DEA Agent Luis Mitchell with a case that keeps going cold, but DiNozzo discovers there is more to Gibbs’ personal connection to the agent and his desire to help him succeed.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writer:Gina Lucita Monreal

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  21. NCIS Season 13 Episode 13 - Déjà Vu
    6.3/10(10 votes)

    #21 - Déjà Vu

    S13:E13

    While investigating the murder of a seaman who was set to testify before a grand jury, the NCIS team uncovers the resurgence of an international human-trafficking ring.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. NCIS Season 13 Episode 15 - React
    6.3/10(11 votes)

    #22 - React

    S13:E15

    When Secretary of the Navy Sarah Porter learns her daughter has been kidnapped, the NCIS team partners with the FBI to track the case, determine a motive and bring her home.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. NCIS Season 14 Episode 7 - Home of the Brave
    6.3/10(10 votes)

    #23 - Home of the Brave

    S14:E7

    Torres boldly breaks protocol when he learns a witness in an NCIS case is wanted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. NCIS Season 2 Episode 6 - Terminal Leave
    6.4/10(13 votes)

    #24 - Terminal Leave

    S2:E6

    The team must protect an Iraq veteran due to the threats made by terrorists. While trying to convince FBI Agent Lina Reyes to help them, the team are convinced that they have discovered the bomber.

    Director:Jeff Woolnough
    Writer:Roger Director

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  25. NCIS Season 2 Episode 9 - Forced Entry
    6.4/10(15 votes)

    #25 - Forced Entry

    S2:E9

    Laura Rowen, a Marine's wife, shoots an intruder in self defense when he is about to rape her. The team take on the case and find out that the wife is leading a double life while her husband is serving overseas.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writers:John C. Kelley, Jesse Stern

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Hereafter" is the worst rated episode of "NCIS". It scored 5.3/10 based on 10 votes. Directed by Tony Wharmby and written by Nicole Mirante-Matthews, it aired on 2/19/2013. This episode scored 0.4 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Kill the Messenger".