
đ„ Introduction: When Even NCIS Drops the Ball
Letâs be realâNCIS has delivered some of the most gripping, character-driven crime procedurals on TV for over 20 seasons. Weâve followed Gibbs’ stoic stares, Abbyâs gothic charm, and DiNozzoâs wisecracks for years. But not every episode hits the mark. In fact, some are so off-key, slow, or downright frustrating that I always skip them on my rewatch sessions.
Whether itâs because of cringe-worthy writing, wasted potential, or just a weird detour from what makes NCIS great, these are the 10 NCIS episodes I never bother rewatchingâand you probably shouldnât either.
Letâs dig in.
#1: âCanaryâ (Season 10, Episode 14)
đ§š Why It Fails: Overhyped Tension With No Payoff
This episode tries to build suspense around a cyber terrorist, but it ends up feeling like a glorified filler. They throw the team into a high-stakes âblack siteâ mission that ends with a disappointing interrogation scene and a villain you wonât remember five minutes later.
Why skip it? You could literally blink and miss the entire point.
#2: âAlibiâ (Season 11, Episode 8)
đ A Legal Twist Gone Wrong
The episode wants to blend NCIS with a courtroom drama vibeâbut it feels like it watched too much Law & Order and forgot its roots. The plot revolves around a defense attorneyâs bizarre strategy, which ends up stretching plausibility to the breaking point.
Verdict? Itâs clunky, forgettable, and far from rewatchable.
#3: âThirstâ (Season 9, Episode 6)
đ« Creepy for No Good Reason
The show occasionally dips into unsettling territory, but âThirstâ leans way too hard into the grotesque. The killerâs obsession with blood feels out of place in a procedural like NCIS, and the whole thing plays like a B-level horror flick.
Feel like watching NCIS, not Dexter? Then skip this one.
#4: âBĂȘte Noireâ (Season 1, Episode 16)
đ Too Early, Too Complicated
While it introduces the infamous Ari Haswari, this episode is way too intense for a relatively early point in the show. The hostage situation drags on, and it lacks the polish and chemistry the series later develops.
Truth bomb: You wonât miss much if you fast-forward past this.
#5: âLeft for Deadâ (Season 1, Episode 10)
đ§ Plot Holes You Could Drive a Truck Through
Amnesia tropes are always a gamble. This one loses big. A woman crawling out of a grave with no memory sounds intriguingâuntil it unravels into a meandering, unsatisfying plot with more questions than answers.
Pro tip? Leave this one buried.
#6: âAnonymous Was a Womanâ (Season 11, Episode 4)
đ· Political Message Overload
Thereâs nothing wrong with storytelling that tackles real-world issues, but this episode goes overboard. The show gets too preachy and sacrifices storytelling for a clumsy message about immigration. Important topic, sureâbut heavy-handed delivery makes it a chore.
End result? Youâll tune out before the closing credits.
#7: âPrime Suspectâ (Season 10, Episode 17)
đ Nothing HappensâAt All
This one should be retitled âPrime Snoozefest.â It follows Gibbs helping an old friend whose son is accused of murder. But itâs slow, predictable, and adds nothing to the characters or series arc.
The worst crime here? Wasting 43 minutes of your life.
#8: âThe Namesakeâ (Season 10, Episode 5)
đŽ A Backstory That Goes Nowhere
We get a glimpse into Gibbsâ connection with his late father, which sounds emotional⊠until it becomes awkwardly written and poorly executed. The pacing is glacial, and the attempt at deep emotional storytelling doesnât land.
If youâre not emotionally invested in Gibbsâ dad, skip.
#9: âOnce a Crookâ (Season 11, Episode 5)
đ§ł DiNozzo Deserves Better
This episode tries to delve into Tonyâs past as a beat cop in Baltimoreâbut the flashbacks are shallow, and the current case is forgettable. It feels like a missed opportunity to truly explore Tonyâs backstory.
Bottom line: Rewatch-worthy Tony episodes existâthis ainât one.
#10: âThe Admiralâs Daughterâ (Season 11, Episode 24)
đ Weird Location, Weird Plot
Set in France (sort of), this one throws Tony into what feels like a bad spy movie. The dialogue is weird, the pacing is all over the place, and it ends Season 11 on a weak note.
Itâs not Bond. Itâs not NCIS. Itâs just bad.
đĄ Why These Episodes Donât Work on Rewatch
đ§ Shallow Character Arcs
Some episodes focus too much on the case and neglect the characters we care about. Rewatching NCIS is all about reconnecting with Gibbs, Abby, DiNozzo, and the restânot watching another bland interrogation scene.
đ Poor Pacing and Filler Content
When the energy drags or the plot gets too tangled, it makes for a painful rewatch. These episodes are mostly filler dressed up to look important.
đș No Real Payoff
Letâs face itâif an episode doesnât push the story or deliver emotional weight, it has no place in your rewatch rotation.
đ What Makes a Great Rewatch Episode?
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Emotional stakes that still hit years later
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Iconic team chemistry
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A case that keeps you guessing
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Memorable guest stars or villains
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A sense of fun, danger, or payoff
đ§ Honorable Mentions (Episodes Some Love, I Just Canât)
âDevilâs Trifectaâ (Season 10)
All-star cast, but chaotic energy. Doesnât click for me.
âRequiemâ (Season 5)
Itâs intense and emotionalâsome love it, but I find it too dark for casual rewatching.
đŻ How To Build The Perfect NCIS Rewatch Playlist
If youâre planning your next NCIS binge, ditch the episodes above and load up on fan-favorites like:
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âSWAKâ (DiNozzo drama done right)
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âTruth or Consequencesâ (season openers rarely hit this hard)
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âCall of Silenceâ (heart-wrenching, beautifully told)
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âHiatusâ Parts 1 & 2 (Gibbs origin story gold)
đ Conclusion: Skip Smart, Rewatch Right
NCIS has over 450 episodes. You’re not obligated to love them all. Some were necessary to advance the plot at the time, but they just donât hold up. By skipping the ten we just broke down, youâll keep your rewatch fun, focused, and full of everything that makes NCIS great.
Donât let one bad episode ruin your nostalgia trip. Skip smart, and youâll enjoy NCIS like itâs brand new again.
âFAQs: Your NCIS Rewatch Questions Answered
1. Are there any NCIS episodes you should never skip?
Yes! âTruth or Consequences,â âCall of Silence,â and âHiatusâ are essential. These define the series’ emotional and narrative strength.
2. Why do so many Season 10â11 episodes end up on skip lists?
That era often focused more on plot over character. The balance was off, and it led to uneven storytelling.
3. Whatâs the best season of NCIS for binge-watching?
Most fans agree that Seasons 2 through 5 are the golden years. Great team dynamic and strong cases.
4. Should I watch the NCIS spin-offs instead of these skipped episodes?
Sure! NCIS: LA and NCIS: New Orleans have standout episodes. Itâs a great way to mix things up.
5. Are any of the skipped episodes still important for the overall plot?
Only a couple (like âBĂȘte Noireâ) tie into larger arcs. If you’re already familiar with the storyline, you won’t miss much by skipping.