The essential episodes of NCIS
Watch these 25 in order and you've got NCIS — each pick states its reason.
- 01
A Marine mysteriously drops dead aboard Air Force One and jurisdiction problems force Gibbs to share the investigation with a Secret Service agent.
- 02
Ducky and Gerald are held hostage in the autopsy room of NCIS headquarters by an armed intruder (Rudolf Martin), whose purpose is unexplained.
- 03
When a letter sealed with a kiss is delivered to NCIS, Tony assumes it's for him and opens it, only to release a mysterious powder into the NCIS squad room.
- 04
Gibbs' worst fears are confirmed when he learns that his nemesis, Arab/Israeli double agent Ari (Rudolf Martin), is back in Washington D.C. on assignment to kill him. Ultimately, the NCIS team discovers that Ari has a bigger plot... and they end up paying the ultimate price trying to thwart it--the death of a team member.
- 05
While the NCIS team deals with Kate's death, Gibbs' determination to finally put an end to Ari's reign of terror mounts.
- 06
The NCIS team suspects foul play when a Navy Lieutenant is the victim of radiation poisoning.
- 07
The final showdown between the NCIS team and an elusive arms dealer reaches an explosive and deadly conclusion.
- 08
Ziva's homecoming to Israel with Gibbs and the team is not a happy reunion with her father, the enigmatic and powerful head of Mossad. As tensions rise, Gibbs is forced to make a decision that sends shockwaves through NCIS.
- 09
As the hunt for Ziva's replacement begins, Gibbs and his remaining team members must head back to work with the past still weighing heavily on their minds.
- 10
The dismembered fingertips and teeth of a murdered Marine are discovered in the stolen purse of a pickpocketer, launching NCIS on a mission to find a cold-blooded killer.
- 11
The NCIS investigation of a fire on a Navy vessel reveals evidence that elevates security at all U.S. Navy facilities worldwide. Meanwhile, DiNozzo and Ziva travel to Italy when an explosive device is found hidden on a Navy ship.
- 12
The NCIS team takes on a renowned hacker who could hold the key to tracking down the most-wanted cyber-terrorist in the world.
- 13
Complications arise when the NCIS team discovers a link between a murder victim and the current boyfriend of Gibbs and Agent Fornell's ex-wife. Meanwhile, NSA Analyst Ellie Bishop adjusts to joining the NCIS team.
- 14
The NCIS team must investigate a series of crime scenes that appear to be copy-cats of previous cases. Also, two of Gibbs' ex-wives, one of which the team has yet to meet, show up at a crime scene to discuss something important with him.
- 15
The team re-examines an ambush on a group of Special Ops snipers six months ago in Iraq, after an American couple is attacked in the same area. When Gibbs discovers he needs the account of the lone survivor, he tries to connect with the wounded warrior who is being treated for PTSS at Walter Reed Medical Center.Laura San Giacomo returns as Grace Confalone. The episode features a special performance by the MusiCorps Band, part of a music rehabilitation program for wounded veterans.
- 16
While investigating a hit and run, Palmer spots a man on a ledge and attempts to talk him down.
- 17
NCIS searches for a petty officer suspected of assault who escapes when the sheriff transporting him crashes into a lake; Torres works closely with a blind witness who heard vital evidence needed to solve the case.
- 18
After a malnourished and confused 9-year-old is found hiding in a storage unit, NCIS reopens an old missing persons case when the girl is believed to be the daughter of a Navy recruit who disappeared 10 years ago. Also, Bishop discovers notes that Special Agent Ziva David kept on the case long after NCIS officially stopped investigating.
- 19
The team tries to verify the identity of Joe Smith, who claims he served on the U.S.S. Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor, and wants to be buried there upon his death.
- 20
Gibbs and Fornell's crusade to find the head of the drug ring responsible for Fornell's daughter Emily's overdose comes to a climax. Also, Gibbs and Vance finally let the team in on a case that has dangerous implications.
- 21
Gibbs and McGee head to Alaska while the team works at home to uncover the conspiracy behind the serial killer.
- 22
NCIS agents from Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Hawai'i are all in D.C. to attend the retirement party of a beloved Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) professor, finding themselves jointly investigating his shocking suicide.
- 23
As NCIS mourns the loss of Ducky, the agents find comfort in working on one of his unfinished cases involving a woman whose father was dishonorably discharged from the Marines.
- 24
As Vance prepares to host diplomatic talks with Venezuela, the team is called in to investigate the dead body of one of his inside men.
- 25
On her first NCIS: Elite mission, Knight is given orders to hunt down and arrest Eleanor Bishop after the former member of the NCIS team is designated a wanted cyber-terrorist. In need of someone to trust, Bishop turns to Torres, and the two come face to face for the first time since she abruptly left nearly five years ago.
Shows like NCIS
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
- 01Drama·Action·CrimeThe essential episodes of Marvel's Daredevil2015–2018·Netflix
Matt Murdock, a Marvel Comics hero who's a lawyer by day but fights the bad guys at night to avenge the murder of his father, a boxer. - 02Drama·Action·CrimeThe essential episodes of Marvel's The Punisher2017–2019·NetflixAfter exacting revenge on those responsible for the death of his wife and children, Frank Castle uncovers a conspiracy that runs far deeper than New York's criminal underworld.
- 03Drama·Action·CrimeThe essential episodes of 9-1-12018–present·ABC
9-1-1 is a fast-paced exploration into the lives and careers of first responders – cops, paramedics, firefighters – the people who put their lives on the line to save others. - 04Drama·Action·CrimeThe essential episodes of Tracker2024–presentSame network — CBS·
- 05Drama·Action·CrimeThe essential episodes of Gotham2014–2019·FOXThe good. The evil. The beginning.Everyone knows the name Commissioner Gordon.
- 06Drama·Action·CrimeThe essential episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles2009–2023Same network — CBS·
