For over 20 seasons, CBS hit sequence NCIS has adopted the Naval Legal Investigative Service, a corporation devoted to investigating crimes involving the US Navy. The sequence started in 2003 as a spin-off of JAG. Its success has led to not solely its longevity, as its twenty first season started in early 2024, and it has aired over 400 episodes, but additionally a number of spin-offs with extra within the works, together with prequel sequence NCIS: Origins. The franchise general will hit the milestone of 1,000 episodes in 2024.

With tons of of episodes behind it, NCIS has advised a variety of tales about crime within the Navy, from threats to the president to circumstances involving the crew itself. The sequence’ finest episodes all stand on totally different strengths, whether or not it is the case being investigated or the excessive stakes for the crew, however season premieres and finales typically current essentially the most intense episodes. However irrespective of the place within the season they fell, the very best episodes of NCIS span its 20 years, demonstrating why it is lasted so lengthy.

NCIS

Created by

Donald P. Bellisario

First TV Present

NCIS

Newest TV Present

NCIS: Hawaii

First Episode Air Date

September 23, 2003

Forged

david mccallum , sean murray , Mark Harmon , Brian Dietzen , Pauley Perrette , Rocky Carroll

Season 1, Episode 12

The crew investigated when a dumpster diver discovered a Marine’s leg in a trash receptacle in “My Different Left Foot,” and an ankle pin traced again to its proprietor led to a non-public who had been useless for 2 years, however Ducky (David McCallum) suspected the leg had been minimize off within the earlier 24 hours. The episode additionally featured a quick visitor look from Josh Holloway simply months earlier than he grew to become identified for enjoying Sawyer on Misplaced.

“My Different Left Foot” had an interesting case with a number of twists because the crew tried to find out whose leg that they had and what actually occurred. However most notably, the episode was stuffed with the darkish humor the present has turn into identified for. It was additionally a terrific episode for Ducky, because it offered good perception into his character, and offered DiNozzo and Kate’s opposing views on small cities—Kate discovered them peaceable, whereas DiNozzo’s view was much less forgiving.

9 “The Bone Yard”

Season 2, Episode 4

After a civilian was killed in an obvious explosion on a Marine follow bombing vary, Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and the crew found what gave the impression to be a dumping floor for useless our bodies in “The Bone Yard.” The case solely obtained extra difficult when the sufferer turned out to be an undercover FBI agent and Tobias Fornell (Joe Spano) revealed he was being framed by a neighborhood mob boss. Gibbs made a cope with them to clear Fornell’s title.

“The Bone Yard” was an fascinating, considerably convoluted case the place issues weren’t as they appeared, with a mole within the FBI and Fornell being framed. Among the episode’s finest moments got here from Gibbs’ efforts to assist Fornell, exhibiting Gibbs’ integrity and loyalty. The episode additionally featured some enjoyable moments between the characters, from their sparring matches with one another within the opening to Gibbs butting heads with others throughout their investigation, plus DiNozzo’s fixed prodding at McGee.

8 “Yankee White”

Season 1, Episode 1

NCIS took over the investigation of the dying of a Navy commander of an obvious stroke after he shared a meal with the president aboard Air Power One within the pilot episode “Yankee White,” forcing the airplane to make an emergency touchdown. Though the commander’s dying was initially considered an accident, the crew suspected he had been caught up in a plot to assassinate the president. After the investigation, Gibbs recruits Caitlin “Kate” Todd (Sasha Alexander) for his crew.

“Yankee White” was a terrific introduction to the world of NCIS, with considered one of its most compelling, high-stakes circumstances. The episode constructed on the characters who had been launched beforehand in two episodes of JAG. This, in addition to loads of different components that might turn into sequence staples, like Gibbs’ guidelines, make it a quintessential episode within the sequence and one which made the present stand out by itself, versus dwelling within the shadow of JAG.

7 “S.W.A.Ok.”

Season 2, Episode 22

In “S.W.A.Ok.,” DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) opens an envelope containing a mysterious white powder; and with a lipstick imprint on the surface, the substance forces among the crew to quarantine whereas the others seek for the one that mailed the envelope. Abby (Pauley Perrette) and Ducky discover the powder was a pressure of the plague genetically engineered to withstand antibiotics, and blood assessments revealed DiNozzo was the one one who had been contaminated.

The crew moved from annoyance to worry in “S.W.A.Ok.,” as they realized what they thought was a innocent powder was actually doubtlessly deadly, considerably elevating the stakes of the episode. However every distinct group was enjoyable to observe, and Kate and DiNozzo had been the very best a part of the episode. At first, their bickering in quarantine was enjoyable, however issues took a extra severe flip when Kate lied about being contaminated to stick with DiNozzo so long as doable.

6 “Twilight”

Season 2, Episode 23

In “Twilight,” the Season 2 finale, DiNozzo returned to work after the occasions of “S.W.A.Ok.” Two sailors had been discovered useless in a automobile, shot at shut vary, and the crew realized the case had ties to a terrorist threatening Gibbs. The crew raced to seek out him, however Gibbs wasn’t the one goal. The shooter in the end took out Kate after she protected Gibbs, ending the episode and season on a cliffhanger.

“Twilight” was a devastating episode, and it’s typically thought-about one of many sequence’ finest by followers. “There’s an opportunity considered one of us would possibly die each time we stroll by the door,” Kate stated in its early minutes, hinting at what was to return for her. Her dying was an enormous shock which modified the present transferring ahead, and it was additionally a reminder that nobody is actually secure in NCIS.

5 “Kill Ari”

Season 3, Episode 1

The 2-part Season 3 premiere, “Kill Ari,” opened the place Season 2 left off, this time from shooter Ari’s (Rudolf Martin) perspective. On this episode, the crew handled the aftermath of Kate being killed within the Season 2 finale, with every member imagining interacting along with her in their very own methods. As Ari focused different members of the crew, Gibbs grew to become extra decided to seek out him. In the meantime, a brand new director was appointed to NCIS, one who had a historical past with Gibbs.

“Kill Ari” marked main adjustments for NCIS throughout. It was one of many strongest episodes of the sequence, following up on some of the surprising deaths of the sequence. Every character expressed their grief for Kate in another way. Most notably, Gibbs grew to become extra subdued, and as DiNozzo put it, “He’s not Gibbs if he’s good.” The episode was additionally notable for being the primary to characteristic Ziva, who would turn into an NCIS fixture and fan favourite in subsequent seasons.

4 “She”

Season 16, Episode 13

In “She,” a malnourished and disoriented nine-year-old woman was discovered hiding in a storage unit on a Marine base. Bishop suspected she had by no means seen the surface world earlier than, and the crew additionally thought she was the daughter of a Navy recruit who went lacking a decade prior. The crew additionally found Ziva (Cote de Pablo) was initially concerned within the woman’s case, and extra importantly, the episode revealed Ziva was actually alive.

“She” advised a terrific story, and it was a terrific callback to earlier seasons and a younger, newly employed Ziva. However the very best a part of the episode was the bombshell reveal that Ziva was not solely alive however shut by within the closing minutes of the episode. It was a superb technique to finish the season and a terrific episode for followers who had lengthy since given up hope for Ziva’s return.

3 “Fact or Penalties”

Season 7, Episode 1

Within the Season 7 premiere, “Fact or Penalties,” the crew was frightened about Ziva after not having heard from her and looked for her, resulting in DiNozzo and McGee being captured. In addition they started their seek for her alternative. The episode is advised by flashbacks, transferring from DiNozzo and McGee (Sean Murray) being held to interviews with Ziva’s alternative and their work to seek out Ziva herself, and, in the end revealing, their seize was all a part of the plan.

“Fact or Penalties” was a terrific begin to Season 7, stuffed with nice twists and turns and with the proper stability of humor and stress. It was an exquisite episode for DiNozzo particularly, which made for spectacular work from Weatherly. DiNozzo confirmed his conceitedness and humorousness in captivity. However above all, it was enjoyable to observe all of the items come collectively, culminating in an action-packed closing act.

2 “Maintain Going”

Season 14, Episode 13

In “Maintain Going,” the NCIS crew investigated after a hit-and-run, and Ryan (Spencer Trear Clark), the son of the sufferer, overcome with grief and guilt, later climbed on a constructing ledge meaning to take his personal life, till Palmer (Brian Dietzen) stepped in, and joined him, to cease him from leaping. Palmer labored to attach with the younger man and discuss him out of his plans, and within the meantime, the crew looked for the suspect within the automobile accident.

The episode’s title took its title from phrases of knowledge from Ducky: “For those who’re going by hell, hold going,” a terrific reminder for each the present’s characters and its viewers, and a line Palmer later repeated to Ryan. The episode was a fan favourite, and understandably so, because it was a unbelievable one for Palmer’s character but additionally for actor Dietzen, who delivered considered one of his finest performances of his time on the sequence.

1 “Household First”

Season 13, Episode 24

Within the Season 13 finale, “Household First,” DiNozzo realized Ziva was killed in a mortar assault, and the information left the entire crew shocked and devastated. However there was some good but surprising information, too, as he additionally discovered Ziva had a younger daughter, Talia, who survived, and he was her father. NCIS teamed up with the FBI and MI6 to trace down an escaped British spy focusing on present and former brokers.

“Household First” was a terrific season finale and, even higher, the proper sendoff for DiNozzo, with a compelling story which impacted the entire crew, in addition to the sequence transferring ahead. The existence of Talia was a shock, but it surely was good to see DiNozzo step into his new position as her father. This paired with the character’s grief and anger over dropping Ziva made for a few of Weatherly’s finest moments on the present.

All 21 seasons of NCIS could be streamed on Paramount+ within the U.S.

Watch on Paramount+

NEXT: ‘NCIS’: The Principal Characters, Ranked by Likability