Top 10 episodes according to IMDb
CBS’s long-running series, NCISStars Mark Harmon as Naval Criminal Investigative Service Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, who leads a unique and tight-knit team of agents through diverse cases ranging from murder to international terrorism. Since it first aired in 2003, the series has become known for its colorful characters and gripping investigations, making it one of the most watched television series airing today.
As the series has been renewed for its 21st season, there are hundreds of top-notch episodes to choose from, packed with unforgettable moments and jaw-dropping cases. From visiting Gibbs’ hometown in a small Pennsylvania town in Heartland to Michael WeatherlyAfter his bittersweet departure as Tony DiNozzo on Family First, these are the best NCIS episodes.
10 “Heartland” – Season 6, Episode 4
IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
When two Marines are ambushed in an alley behind a bar, one comes out dead and the other in critical condition. The team travels to speak with the surviving Marine, who happens to live in Gibbs’ hometown of Pennsylvania. Through a series of flashbacks and conversations with some of the local residents, they are able to piece the pieces together while uncovering secrets from Gibbs’ past.
Gibbs is a walking enigma that very few people know very little about, but viewers get a rare opportunity to learn a little more about the mysterious Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the episode “Heartland.” The episode also introduces Gibbs’ father, Jackson, played by Ralph Waite best known for his starring role in the 1970s television show, The Waltons. Between the humorous likenesses of father and son and the sane memories, “Heartland” is an essential top NCIS Consequence.
9 “Requiem” – Season 5, Episode 7
IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
Gibbs gets a visit from his daughter’s childhood best friend, Maddie (Cameron Goodman), who enlists his help to stop a Marine who has been chasing them. When Maddie is eventually kidnapped, Gibbs scrambles to find her and soon finds out the suspect is under investigation for stealing millions of dollars in aid funds that were never found.
NCIS Fans know how Gibbs tragically lost his wife and young daughter years ago, and in the episode “Requiem,” the intense emotions of traumatic loss boil over when Maddie enlists his help. While Gibbs couldn’t save his family, he tries to make amends by keeping Maddie safe, even at the cost of his own life.
8th “Twilight” – Season 2, Episode 23
IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
With the insidious Mossad agent Ari Haswari (Rudolph Martin), back in the United States, he is determined to finish what he started and kill Gibbs. The team works overtime to find Haswari before he can reach Gibbs and investigate the deaths of two sailors that could be linked to a possible terrorist attack.
“Twilight” marks the final appearance of one of the series’ original characters, Caitlin Todd (Sasha Alexander), who is killed at the end of the episode. The loss is a blow to the entire team, but for Gibbs, who recruited Todd into NCIS, it’s another life he feels responsible for losing. While “Twilight” is heartbreaking, tragedy receives a bright spot when Gibbs meets Mossad officer and future NCIS agent Ziva David (Cote de Pablo).
7 “SWAK” – Season 2, Episode 22
IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
When a kiss-sealed letter arrives at the office, Tony assumes it’s for him and opens it, only to release a mysterious and toxic powder into the police room. Gibbs and the entire team are quarantined in the autopsy room until the others can figure out why and what they were exposed to and who sent it.
“SWAK” is a suspenseful episode filled with intense twists and turns, ultimately leading to a totally unexpected suspect whose motives stem from a disturbing case involving a prestigious naval academy. Unlike other episodes, “SWAK” evolves dramatically from a major crime to a smaller but still vitally important case that reminds Gibbs and the team of corruption in their local communities.
6 “The Arizona” – Season 17, Episode 20
IMDb Rating: 9/10
The team is assigned to investigate an off-base robbery that leads them to a World War II veteran, Joe Smith, who claims to have served on the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor. After his death, he wishes to be buried with his comrades, but in the absence of hard evidence or documentation to support his claim, Gibbs and the team attempt to confirm Smith’s identity and ministry.
“The Arizona” is one of the most patriotic and emotional guest-starring episodes of the series Christopher Lloyd as Smith. The series The showrunners wanted to do a Pearl Harbor episode Unlike other episodes, The Arizona has long been about the team not solving a serious crime or victim, but instead striving to fulfill a deserving hero’s last wish.
5 “Call of Silence” – Season 2, Episode 7
IMDb Rating: 9/10
Ernie Yost, a former Marines and World War II veteran, enters the headquarters and confesses to the team that he murdered his friend and fellow soldier over 50 years ago. Pressured by his superiors to take action, Gibbs and his team, believing the man is innocent, work quickly to prove their theory and end up uncovering a heartbreaking tragedy that also exonerates the ex-Marine.
“Call of Silence” is another tragic but vital episode that shows only a fraction of the people who carry the immense trauma and memories of war for the rest of their lives. The episode also features the unusual investigative process and guest star. Charles Durning as Yost, who is best known for his roles in popular films dog day afternoon, Oh brother where are you? Andthe 1980s romantic comedy, tootsie with Dustin Hoffman.
4 “She” – Season 16, Episode 13
IMDb Rating: 9.1/10
When the team discovers a malnourished and neglected 9-year-old girl hiding in a base storage unit, they believe she may be the daughter of a Marine who went missing ten years ago. NCIS officially resumes missing persons case and Ellie Bishop (Emily Wickersham) discovers notes in the file of former NCIS Special Agent Ziva David.
NCIS showrunners have always been able to find clever ways to tie in with the past and bring back familiar faces, and the episode “She” is one of those extraordinary episodes that brings Ziva back for just a brief moment. As Bishop never had the chance to meet Ziva in person, it’s touching to see the young agent get to know her through her own words and learn that what made her such an incredible asset to the team also lies within Bishop .
3 “Truth or Consequences” – Season 7, Episode 1
IMDb Rating: 9.1/10
With much time passing and no word from Ziva, the team begins the hapless search for her replacement while trying to track her down, fearing the worst has happened. Tony and McGee (Sean Murray) manages to trace their whereabouts to Somalia, but when they arrive they are quickly caught forcing Gibbs to come to their aid.
The first episode of Season 7, Truth or Consequences, is a harrowing yet slightly comical episode that showcases the team’s incredible bond as they risk their lives to save Ziva, who is being held captive in a prison camp. According to Weatherly, it was “Truth or Consequences”. one of his favorite episodesand recalled how the makeup department put glue on his lips to make him appear dehydrated and sunburned.
2 “Keep Going” – Season 14, Episode 13
IMDb Rating: 9.2/10
When Gibbs and the team are called to investigate a fatal hit-and-run accident involving a Navy Captain, Dr. Jimmy Palmer, was involved (Brian Dietzen) tries to help a stranger who is threatening to jump off a building. While part of the team searches for the suspect, the others support Palmer, who plans to talk the young man out by risking his own life to save him.
Keep Going is a revealing episode about Dr. Palmer, who became a regular at the start of the show’s tenth season before being promoted to chief medical officer. While Palmer is usually the shy doctor with dad jokes and a brilliant mind, Keep Going pays tribute to his immense courage and bravery and proves there’s more to him than meets the eye.
1 “Family First” – Season 13, Episode 24
IMDb Rating: 9.2/10
Upon learning that there was a survivor in the fire at Eli David’s house, Tony rushes to Israel, but his hopes of finding Ziva are dashed when it turns out it’s not her. His father (Robert Wagner) tries to reassure him that she is out there, but Tony soon realizes that Ziva was most likely killed in the fire. After losing one great love, Tony finally finds another when he learns that Ziva has a daughter, Talia, who is also Tony’s child.
Weatherly says a touching farewell as Special Agent Tony DiNozzo on Family First as he leaves NCIS to start a new life raising Talia. A box of tissues might be needed to watch the episode, but at least half of the tears come from joy as fans watch as Talia and Tony bond and embrace a loving father with the love and support of his father and the NCIS family grow up. According to a January report, Weatherly could return to the show next season and there could also be a reunion between Tony and Ziva.
