10 best seasons of NCIS, ranked

NCIS is one of the most popular police procedural shows and has been on air for over 20 years. The show follows the Naval Criminal Investigative Service as they investigate crimes relating to Marine and Navy Corps personnel. The show has over 20 seasons, and while they are all special in their own way, some seasons stand out more than others.

The NCIS Cast and characters have changed a lot over the years, but the show remains exciting and memorable even with a changing cast. like NCIS Season 22 approaches, many of the original characters are gone, but the show continues to portray excellent plot and character relationships. All the ages of NCIS are interesting to watchBut some are particularly noteworthy.

10

Season 19

Gibbs left and Parker joined the team

While it is an unpopular opinion to consider NCISThe later seasons as some of ​​​​their best, season 19 deserves a place in the ranking because it is the season that started the formation of the current team. Season 19 saw the exit of Mark Harmons character Leroy Jethro Gibbs. After being the team leader of NCIS For almost two decades, it’s hard to believe that anyone taking over Gibbs’ position would be anywhere near as good as him. However, season 19 also introduced Gary Cole’s Alden Parker, who took over Gibbs’ role with professionalism and grace.

What makes season 19 so memorable is that Gibbs was able to capture the serial killer he’s been after for so long and also give him and his team proper closure with his exit. The season was filled with emotional scenes without overshadowing the action-packed cases that NCIS Deals with daily. Season 19 also ended with an exciting season finale Which showed that Parker was framed for murder. Leroy Gibbs NCIS Exit, combined with Parker’s introduction and the dramatic cliffhanger in the season finale, makes season 19 one to remember.

9

Season 11

Emotional moments and the introduction of NCIS: New Orleans

NCIS Season 11 is one of the more heart-wrenching seasons of the show, which is also why it’s so good. Season 11 saw the exit of the beloved Ziva DavidPlayed by Cote de Pablo. Ziva’s will-they-won’t-they relationship with Michael Weatherly’s Tony DiNozzo came to a head in episode 2, “Past, Present, Future.” While this episode serves as Ziva’s last appearance on NCIS Until her return in season 17, the emotional episode cements season 11 as one of the best in NCIS due to the heartfelt Ziva and Tony moments in it.

Tony and Ziva aren’t the only couple to have their moment this season. Season 11 also saw McGee develop deeper feelings for his girlfriend, Delilah. Their romance is made even more special by the fact that McGee asked Tony for advice, who probably used his own experience with Ziva as inspiration for what to tell McGee. generally, The season was filled with romantic moments While still keeping the drama of the police cases.

Season 11 also introduced the series’ second spin-off, NCIS: New OrleansThrough a backdoor pilot and introduced Eli Bishop to the team. While Ali was meant to replace Ziva, she brought her personality and character struggles to the team, refreshingly shifting the team’s dynamic. The season allowed the team and the franchise to grow organically. That is why season 11 remains one of NCISs best seasons, even after all this time.

8

Season 16

Massive character development

NCIS Season 16 is another one of the more exciting seasons of NCIS. While NCIS Known for its police procedural episodes, it also features complex interpersonal relationships between the characters. Season 16 took a deep dive into Gibbs’ character. Over the years, Gibbs has softened and season 16 emphasized his character development. Emotional backstories don’t happen often in NCIS, So it’s a big deal when they do, especially for cold, stoic characters like Gibbs.

Season 16 also featured riveting scenes, like the one where Torres is found covered in blood with no memory of what happened. The season highlighted the team’s ability to work together Under pressure when one of their own needs help. This season also makes it onto the list because it offers the first hint that Ziva might still be alive when Ali finds some old notes from Ziva. Although it is not one of their best seasons, it has many exciting plots and emotional arcs to put it in the top 10 seasons of NCIS.

7

Season 8

A serial killer and CIA cooperation

Season 8 is another exciting season of NCIS Because it introduces the deadly port-to-port killer. The killer is the focus of five episodes toward the end of the season, making him one of the more memorable villains in NCIS. The show typically focuses on case-by-case antagonists, thus The introduction of the port-to-port killer was an exciting addition to season 8. The case led to incredible scenes of the team working together while trying to catch the killer before he killed again.

Season 8 is also part of NCISs best seasons because it shows the NCIS Collaborating with the CIA as part of the Port-to-Port killer case. Usually, the NCIS Team work alone, however The international status of the case meant they had to work with the CIA. To catch the killer. Watching the two teams work together was exciting because it offered a new way to see how the NCIS Team work. The case also allowed NCIS To come out on top by being the team that took down the killer.

6

Season 2

The reminder that no one is safe

Season 2 is easily one of the best seasons of NCIS Because of how nostalgic it feels. It has the characters from the first season and also has some further character development. McGee also officially joins the team in season 2 And, given how important he became to the show, season 2 will always be considered one of the best seasons for that reason. Season 2 also continues the dramatic plot that NCIS is known for and is always a good time to watch again.

For better or for worse, Season 2 also introduced the trend of NCIS Killing off characters In the most unexpected way. The team was together and working well together when the season finale revealed the murder of Sasha Alexander’s Caitlin Todd. Suddenly, the team’s dynamics changed forever. Kate’s death will always be considered one of the most heartbreaking deaths in NCIS, But it also served as a reminder that no character is ever safe NCIS.

5

Season 5

A little bit of everything

Season 5 stands out from the other seasons because it has a little bit of everything that makes NCIS So good. This season featured some backstory to Gibbs’ character, which is especially interesting because the earlier seasons don’t reveal as much of Gibbs’ character as later seasons. Season 5 also featured several romantic scenes between Tony and Jeanne Benoit, the daughter of a main antagonist on NCIS.

the main thing Season 5 completed the story arc around La Grenouille. The exciting season implies that Jenny Shepard killed La Grenouille to avenge her father. Season 5 remains memorable because it featured all the different parts of NCIS What made it so popular. The season also revealed more about the personalities of the team members, as it was implied that they knew that Jenny killed La Grenouille. Their decision to stand by Jenny speaks to their loyalty to the team.

4

Season 21

Dramatic mysteries and a triple crossover

The earlier NCIS Seasons are arguably the most popular, but there’s something about season 21 that makes it particularly good. Even though the season only had eight episodes, each episode was packed with an interesting case or character arc that set it apart from the other seasons. Episode 7, “A Thousand Yards,” was such a good episode that it makes the season stand out. “A Thousand Yards” was the NCIS franchise’s 1000th episode and featured a lot of Easter eggs from previous seasons, as well as a triple crossover between all the surviving spin-offs.

Season 21 also featured a very interesting and open-ended extraterrestrial episode that made the NCIS Team question everything they knew. The episode “Strange Invaders” was different from their usual episodes Due to the mysterious story in it, but the unexplained elements increased the stakes and made it all the more interesting. While it is not the first NCIS Episode to remind aliens, its open ending makes it the most memorable.

3

Season 1

The beginning of everything

Season 1 has to be one of the best seasons of NCIS simply because it’s the first. Without it, the show, its spin-offs and the characters that have become so popular and loved would not exist. The first season is so nostalgic because it features the original NCIS Team. Over the years, several main characters left NCISMaking the first couple of seasons when they are all together all the more special.

The season also introduces the character dynamics and their unique personalities. Gibbs’ stoic nature and Abby’s quirky traits stand out the most in the first season, as do Kate’s relationships with her teammates. While it may be a cliché to say that the first season is one of the show’s best, it portrays the character dynamics so well that it has to be placed near the top of the list.

2

Season 7

International conflict and revenge

The second-best season of NCIS is season 7 because of its exciting and explosive plot. The season begins with many international conflicts. Vance must protect his family from an international assassin and Gibbs must solve an international case with the help of a former colleague. Season 7 is also when Ziva officially joins the team Full time after working with them for 4 years.

While season 7 would be memorable with only the first half, the second part features the Reynosa cartel. The leader of the cartel, Paloma, kidnaps Gibbs as revenge for killing her father 20 years ago. It is revealed that Gibbs killed her father as revenge for the murder of Gibbs’ wife and daughter. The tense period ends on a cliffhanger in truth NCIS FashionMaking it one of the more exciting seasons and definitely one of the best.

1

Season 3

The aftermath of Kate’s death

After the death of Kate Todd in the season 2 finale, NCIS Came back in full force with an incredible season 3. This season is particularly memorable because of its two-part arc that follows the team as they try to capture Ari, the antagonist who killed Kate. The season also kicked things off by introducing Ziva And starting her relationship with Tony, the most popular relationship in the show.

The season also gave a deeper look into Gibbs’ past, as the ending revealed more information about his late daughter and wife, which helped explain why Gibbs is the way he is. The season finale showed Gibbs in a coma and dreaming of his family. While each period of NCIS is special for different reasons, Season 3 is arguably the best because of the aftermath of Kate’s death and the discovery of Gibbs’ past.