CBS’s long-running series, NCIS, is a military procedural series and the first installment of the now-popular franchise created by Donald P. Bellisario and Don McGIll. The series initially starred Mark Harmon as Naval Criminal Investigative Service Special Agent, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, who leads a unique and tight-knit team of agents through various cases ranging from local homicide to international terrorism. Since originally airing in 2003, the show has become known for its cast of colorful characters and thrilling investigations, making it one of the most-watched television series currently still on air.
With 21 seasons and counting, there are hundreds of top-rated NCIS episodes to choose from that are full of memorable moments and jaw-dropping cases, but based on the folks voting on IMDb, there are some that stand out from the rest. From visiting Gibbs’ hometown in a small Pennsylvania town in Season 6, episode 4, “Heartland,” to Michael Weatherly’s bittersweet farewell as Tony DiNozzo in Season 13, episode 24, “Family First,” these are the 10 best NCIS episodes, according to IMDb.
10. “Heartland” (Season 6, Episode 4)
IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
When two Marines are ambushed in an alleyway behind a bar, the attack leaves one of them dead and the other in serious critical condition. The team travels to speak with the surviving Marine who happens to live in Gibbs’ hometown of Stillwater in Pennsylvania. Through a series of flashbacks and speaking to some of the local residents, the team manages to put the pieces together of their case while also uncovering secrets about Gibbs and his mysterious past.
Gibbs is a walking enigma who keeps to himself and strives to keep his personal life separate from his professional life. This means that very few people know little about him, but viewers get the rare opportunity to learn a bit more about the mysterious Leroy Jethro Gibbs in Season 6, episode 4, “Heartland.” The episode also introduces Gibbs’ father, Jackson Gibbs who is played by Ralph Waite who many may recognize from the popular 1970s television show, The Waltons. Between the father and son’s humorous similarities and wholesome memories, “Heartland” is an essential top NCIS episode that sheds a little more light on the team’s leader.
9. “Requiem” (Season 5, Episode 7)
IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
Gibbs is visited by his daughter’s childhood best friend, Maddie Tyler (Cameron Goodman) who asks for his help to stop a Marine who has been stalking her. When Maddie ends up being kidnapped, Gibbs becomes fully invested in finding her and soon discovers that the suspect has been under investigation for stealing millions of dollars in Iraqi aid money that had never been located by authorities.
Most NCIS fans know about how Gibbs tragically lost his wife and young daughter years ago, and in Season 5, episode 7, “Requiem,” the immense emotion from the traumatic loss comes flooding back when Maddie desperately asks for his help. While Gibbs couldn’t save his family, he tries to make up for it by ensuring Maddie’s safety even if it costs him his own life, making this one of the most powerful (and intense) NCIS episodes. At the time, “Requiem” was the highest-rated episode of the show’s fifth season, as well as the second most-watched NCIS episode to date.
8. “Twilight” (Season 2, Episode 23)
IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
In Season 2, episode 23, “Twilight,” the team discovers that double-crossing Mossad agent, Ari Haswari (Rudolf Martin) is back in the United States and is determined to finish what he started. As they work overtime to try and find Haswari before he can get to Gibbs, the team multitasks and also investigates the death of two sailors whose deaths could be linked to a potential terrorist attack.
“Twilight” marks the final appearance of one of the series’ original characters, Caitlin Todd (Sasha Alexander), who is killed off at the end of the episode. The loss is a heavy blow to the entire team, but for Gibbs, who recruited Todd to join NCIS, it’s another life that he feels responsible for losing. In reality, the death of the character led to Alexander starring in another popular detective TV series, Rizzoli & Isles with Angie Harmon, but Alexander does return to NCIS for a few minor appearances. While “Twilight” yanks out the heartstrings, the tragedy has a silver lining when Gibbs meets Mossad officer and future NCIS agent, Ziva David (Cote de Pablo).
7. “S.W.A.K.” (Season 2, Episode 22)
IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
When an unknown letter “sealed with a kiss” arrives at the office, Tony (Michael Weatherly) assumes it’s meant for him and opens it only to release a mysterious and toxic powder into the squad room. Since no one initially knows what was inside the letter, Gibbs and the entire team are forced into quarantine in the autopsy room until they can figure out not only what they were exposed to but also, who sent it in the first place and why.
Season 2, episode 22, “S.W.A.K.” is a suspenseful NCIS episode full of intense twists and turns that eventually lead to a very unexpected suspect whose motives stem from a troubling case involving a prestigious Naval academy. Unlike other episodes, “S.W.A.K.” goes from a large-scale crime and dramatically drops to a smaller, but still extremely crucial, case that reminds Gibbs and the team of corruption that’s closer to home. The episode also features Tony and Kate trapped in a room together and their typical banter adds a bit of comic relief to this top-notch bottle episode.
6. “The Arizona” (Season 17, Episode 20)
IMDb Rating: 9/10
The team is called to investigate an off-base robbery that leads them to a World War II veteran, Joe Smith, who claims to have served on the famous U.S.S. Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Upon his death, Smith requests that he be buried alongside his comrades at the bottom of the ocean, but with no solid proof or documentation to support his claim, his wish cannot be granted. Refusing to let the situation go, Gibbs and the team work to try and help confirm Smith’s identity and service.
Season 17, episode 20, “The Arizona,” is one of NCIS’ most patriotic and powerful episodes that features Back to the Future star Christopher Lloyd as Smith. The series showrunners had wanted to do a Pearl Harbor episode for quite some time and, unlike other episodes, “The Arizona” doesn’t involve the team solving any serious crime or victim but instead, puts their efforts towards fulfilling the last wish of a deserving hero.
5. “Call of Silence” (Season 2, Episode 7)
IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
A former Marine and World War II veteran, Ernie Yost, walks into headquarters and confesses to the team that he murdered his friend and fellow soldier over 50 years ago. With pressure to take action from his superiors, Gibbs and his team, who believe the man is innocent, work quickly to prove their theory and end up uncovering a heartbreaking tragedy that also exonerates the former Marine.
Season 2, episode 7, “Call of Silence” is another tragic, but vital episode that demonstrates just a fraction of the individuals who carry the immense trauma and memories of war for the rest of their lives. The episode is also noted for the out-of-the-box investigation process and guest star, Charles Durning as Yost, who is best known for his roles in popular movies including Dog Day Afternoon, O Brother, Where Art Thou? and the 1980s romantic comedy movie, Tootsie starring Dustin Hoffman and Jessica Lange.
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’s storage unit, they think she might be the daughter of a Marine who was reported missing ten years ago. As NCIS officially reopens the missing persons case, Ellie Bishop (Emily Wickersham) discovers notes in the case file kept by former NCIS Special Agent, Ziva David, and gets a first-hand look into the former agent whose fate is also still unknown.
The showrunners for NCIS have always managed to find clever ways to tie in the past and revisit familiar faces and Season 16, episode 13, “She,” is one of these exceptional episodes that brings back Ziva for a brief moment. Since Bishop never had the chance to personally meet Ziva, 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 lies also in Bishop. The episode also reveals a shocking twist about Ziva that turns Bishop and the rest of the team on their heads.
3. “Truth or Consequences” (Season 7, Episode 1)
IMDb Rating: 9.1/10
With a significant amount of time passing and no word from Ziva, the team starts the unfortunate search for her replacement while also trying to track her down out of fear that the worst has happened. Tony and McGee (Sean Murray) manage to trace her last known whereabouts to Somalia. Shortly after they arrive, they’re quickly caught by a well-known terrorist, Saleem Ulman (Omid Abtahi), forcing Gibbs and the rest of the team to come to their rescue.
The Season 7 premiere episode, “Truth or Consequences,” is a harrowing, but also slightly comical episode that showcases the team’s incredible bond as they risk their lives to save Ziva who they discover has been held captive in a prison camp. According to Weatherly, “Truth or Consequences” was one of his favorite episodes, and he 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 involving a Navy Captain, Dr. Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) tries to help a stranger threatening to jump from a building. As part of the team searches for their suspect, the others assist Palmer who hopes to talk the young man down by risking his own life to save him.
Season 14, episode 13, “Keep Going” is an insightful episode about Dr. Palmer who became a series regular at the beginning of the show’s tenth season before being promoted to Chief Medical Examiner. While Palmer is typically the shy doctor with dad jokes and a brilliant mind, “Keep Going” acknowledges his immense courage and bravery, proving that there’s more to him than what meets the eye. It’s also the show’s attempt at tackling mental health, which NCIS successfully does in an entertaining yet thought-provoking way.
1. “Family First” (Season 13, Episode 24)
IMDb Rating: 9.2/10
After learning there was a survivor in the fire of Eli David’s home, Tony rushes to Israel but his hopes of finding Ziva are dashed when it turns out not to be her. His father, played by classic movie star, Robert Wagner, tries to reassure him that she’s out there, but Tony soon realizes that Ziva was most likely killed in the fire. As Tony loses a great love, he winds up finding another when he learns that Ziva had a daughter, Talia, who is also Tony’s child.
Weatherly gives a touching goodbye as Special Agent Tony DiNozzo in Season 13, episode 24, “Family First,” as he leaves NCIS to start a new life raising Talia. The episode might require a box of tissues to watch, but at least half of the tears come from joy as fans watch Talia and Tony bond and grow into a dotting father with the love and support of his father and NCIS family. Based on a report back in January, Weatherly might be returning to the show in the next season as well as a possible reunion between Tony and Ziva.
