NCIS is one of the longest running procedurals on the air, bringing the Major Case Response Team to life as they work on cases episode after episode, with some better than others. While there have been over 500 episodes of NCIS, there are some that stand out over others. For some episodes, this is because they’re more intricate with the case work, which is an interesting part of the series. For other episodes, the character work comes into the forefront and takes precedence, showing viewers more about the inner-lives of the MCRT. NCIS always makes the most of its storylines.
Over the course of 23 seasons (and counting), viewers have gotten the chance to see an exciting mix of stories that brings the team into the spotlight in different ways. From the earliest days of NCIS that show off the team as they use new technology to unravel their cases to the current era of the show, which brings Alden Parker (Gary Cole) into the leadership role, the series has been able to evolve with the times. The top episodes of the show according to viewers, however, are an interesting mix of episodes from all different eras of the show.
“Twilight”
Season 2, Episode 23
Although Special Agent Kate Todd (Sasha Alexander) wasn’t a part of NCIS for long, she left her mark on the series for years, even with the second season finale being her last regular appearance on the series. In NCIS season 2 episode 23, “Twilight”, one of the show’s early villains Ari Haswari (Rudolf Martin) returned to take out Gibbs (Mark Harmon). As the episode, a high-intensity finale that involved several chances for Haswari to kill Gibbs, continued on, it became clear that something tremendous was on the horizon. Ultimately, things end with Kate brutally murdered in Gibbs and Ari’s crosshairs.
“SWAK”
Season 2, Episode 22
Though the penultimate episode of season 2 isn’t quite as heart-racing as its finale, there’s an interesting plot to follow with Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) at the helm for NCIS season 2 episode 22, “SWAK”. When Tony opens a letter that releases a plume of white powder into the air in the office, biohazard protocols are put in place as the bioterrorism protocols begin. Tony and Kate are put into isolation at the Naval hospital while Gibbs and the others search for answers, which ultimately put them in a race with the clock to find their colleagues a cure.
“She”
Season 16, Episode 13
An episode of NCIS that opens a long-awaited storyline, this installment of the long-running series set the show’s sights back on Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) after her alleged death. The case of the week in NCIS season 16 episode 13, “She,” sees Ellie Bishop (Emily Wickersham) working with the rest of the team to discover what’s going on when a young girl is found in a Marine base storage unit, especially when the case connects to a decade-old cold case. As Bishop works the case, she finds files and notebooks of Ziva’s that help her to keep moving forward.
“Truth or Consequences”
Season 7, Episode 1
An epic season premeire, NCIS season 7 episode 1, “Truth or Consequences,” continued the story of Ziva’s abduction and captivity, bringing Tony into the mix. With the season 6 finale showing Ziva being held hostage in a Somalian prison camp and tortured, the episode that follows is told mostly in flashback that cover the months she was missing. As Tony searched for Ziva, the team attempted to move forward. Even so, as the team forged ahead, there wasn’t a good way to move forward without Ziva. By episode’s end, Tony, Gibbs, and McGee (Sean Murray) were headed for a rescue.
“The Arizona”
Season 17, Episode 20
In an episode that honors soldiers who served in World War II, NCIS’ season 17 finale is an interestingly different episode of the series. When Gibbs and the team are led to a man named Joe Smith (Christopher Lloyd) who stole a Purple Heart, but left his contact information behind, they’re a bit confused. It turns out, Smith wants his ashes to be interred with U.S.S. Arizona, where he served during the attack. Without much proof, Gibbs employs some interesting tactics throughout NCIS season 17 episode 20, “The Arizona,” to ensure the former soldier can be interred where he wants.
“Call of Silence”
Season 2, Episode 7
In an early episode of NCIS, a case takes the team through the rigors of having to disprove a Marine who confesses to a decades-old murder. While Gibbs and the rest of the team are often great at being able to move forward with their work in the current day, figuring out how to parse out a case that’s over 60 years old doesn’t prove as easy. As Gibbs and the team work through the case in NCIS season 2 episode 7, “Call of Silence,” they have to use some tactics that don’t exactly align with the typical NCIS standard.
“All Good Things”
Season 23, Episode 13
NCIS season 23 episode 13, “All Good Things,” which is the 500th episode of the series, sees the MCRT dealing with a case that brings Gibbs back into the fold in an interesting way. When the son of a Marine who Gibbs once helped comes to the team with a desperate plea, things take a quick turn for the group as they try to work through the twisting, turning case. The episode honors NCIS as a series, but also sees one of the show’s longest running characters, Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll), fatally shot as the episode comes to a close.
“Keep Going”
Season 14, Episode 13
As one of NCIS’ longest running characters, the show’s season 14 episode allows Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) to shine in a way he doesn’t usually. Throughout NCIS’ run, viewers don’t always get the chance to see Palmer in a heroic light, especially since his sense of humor tends to be strong. NCIS season 14 episode 13, “Keep Going,” sees Palmer get onto the ledge of the building next to the NCIS offices in order to talk down a man who’s getting ready to jump to his death. Throughout the episode, Palmer shows his range of skills in a new way.
“Family First”
Season 13, Episode 24
Although he’ll be returning for NCIS season 24, the final regular appearance of Tony during the show’s initial run came during NCIS season 13 episode 24, “Family First,” which showed a new side to Tony. After finding out that Ziva likely died in a fire at her father’s safehouse, Tony discovers that he has a daughter with his former partner, one who’d been kept from him for years. Adapting to becoming a father and overwhelmed about what comes next, Tony made the decision to leave NCIS behind, hoping that Ziva’s death may not have been as straightforward as it seemed.
“The Stories We Leave Behind”
Season 21, Episode 2
A tribute episode that mourned the loss of Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard (David McCallum), NCIS season 21 episode 2, “The Stories We Leave Behind,” sees the team mourning one of their own. After McCallum’s unexpected passing, NCIS chose to have Ducky die on the series, with the team getting the chance to mourn him on screen while simultaneously finishing an investigation of one of his open cases. Showing the best of the MCRT mourning together, this NCIS episode was a tremendous mix of heartbreak and traditional procedural, showing the best of the team as they worked together to grieve.
- Release Date
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September 23, 2003
- Showrunner
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Donald P. Bellisario
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Sean Murray
Timothy McGee
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David McCallum
Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard
