NCIS remains one of the longest-running investigative procedurals on television. Now in the midst of its 17th season, the Emmy Award-winning series has accumulated nearly 400 episodes since debuting in 2003. And hey, there doesn't seem to be any end in sight!
Yet despite the show's everlasting popularity, not every episode can be a winner, can they? But have you ever wondered which episodes fans of the show liked the least? Well, it's about time to find out. We've already learned which episodes are the most beloved among fans, and now comes the 10 Worst Episodes of NCIS, According to IMDb!
"Road Kill" S6E10 (7.4/10)
Following a single-car collision, the friend of a petty officer wanders into the woods and dies. When ostensible bullet-holes on the frame of the victim's car are discovered, Gibbs and crew investigate.
Snooping around leads to the discovery of a secret fight club the victim participated in. Abby tracks down a lead involving a suspicious vehicle, prompting Gibbs and crew to chase the driver until he's also discovered dead. With each NCIS member offering vital bits of intel, McGee ultimately uncovers the grand conspiracy and helps close the case.
"Thirst" S9E6 (7.4/10)
An odd criminal M.O. surfaces when Gibbs and company investigate two seemingly random auto accidents.
Following a fatal hit and run in which a semi-truck ran over a Naval lieutenant, Gibbs and Ducky find strange evidence at the crime scene. Soon after, the crew stumbles upon another crashed SUV and nearby corpse (whose wife is a Marine) while hiking in the park. The two seemingly unrelated accidents prove to be a larger conspiracy that may or may not involve Ducky's new girlfriend.
"Singled Out" S4E3 (7.4/10)
For whatever reasons, fans weren't as enthused about Gibbs' permanent return as you'd of thought. Must be the mustache!
Upon his official return, Gibbs is thrown into a case involving a missing Naval lieutenant. When the woman is found beaten and bloodied inside her stolen SUV, Ducky conducts a criminal profile on her. Confusion rises when the car thief admits guilt but has no knowledge of the woman's assault. Thanks to Abby and Tony, a third person is eventually identified from the crime scene and the case is solved.
"Philly" S14E5 (7.3/10)
Isn't "Philly" supposed to be the city of Brotherly Love? So why all the damn hate?
When an MI6 agent goes missing in Philadelphia, his colleague Clayton Reeves is sent to look for him. However, Reeves finds a dead sailor instead. When Reeves calls up Gibbs claiming that the dead sailor must be related to his missing coworker, Quinn and Bishop are sent to investigate. After snooping around an arms dealer who may have info on the missing weapon the dead MI6 agent was searching for, Quinn has a troubling flashback to her last time in Philly.
"Rock And A Hard Place" S11E17 (7.3/10)
Things get blown out of proportion when Gibbs and crew investigate a deadly explosion during a charity benefit concert.
The blast leaves two dead, including a first-class Navy petty officer volunteering in the Hero Comfort Foundation event. When Gibbs and crew determine the material used in the explosion, they discover the inclusion of a WWII torpedo warhead. As the concert changes venues, Abby identifies the culprit, which prompts McGee to look into the man's past. In the end, the data leads Gibbs and Ellie to thwart further damage and apprehend the bad guy.
"Tribes" S5E11 (7.3/10)
NCIS fans must have lost their religion after seeing "Tribes," one of the show's lowest-rated episodes to date.
When a Marine of Muslim faith is found dead two blocks from his mosque in D.C., Gibbs and the squad are called in. The victim's father is the local imam who kindly asks not to dissect his son's corpse for an autopsy. Ducky honors the father's wishes to keep the son's body intact so he can ascend to heaven. An unorthodox method is used instead, leading to an unsuspected set of circumstances.
"Bulletproof" S11E15 (7.3/10)
Talking about testing your metal! The crew gets in over their heads following a highway accident that leaves a van upended in D.C with the driver nowhere to be found.
Body armor is found inside the wreckage. However, when the so-called bulletproof armor is tested by Abby, it turns out to be artificial and ineffective. The team traces the metal to the Middle East, where the faulty equipment is provided to U.S. troops. After pressing two kids for answers, Gibbs and Tony locate the missing driver of the van and uncover more answers.
"Hereafter" S10E15 (7.3/10)
When a lance corporal suddenly drops dead in the middle of basic training at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Gibbs and the team are called in to investigate. The only problem is the first rule of Fight Club!
Several bruises are discovered on the corpse, indicating physical abuse. When a second corpse is found with similar wounds on its body, a corrupt culture of secret streetfighting is discovered. As Vance finally returns to the team, he and Gibbs use crucial intel from Ducky to interrogate the man responsible for the physical abuse.
"Brothers In Arms" S4E21 (7.3/10)
Fans weren't too fond of a homeless shelter being sprayed by drive-by gunfire after Jen sought answers about The Frog. Hey, who can blame them?
Following the mysterious shooting that leaves a key informant dead, Gibbs and the crew investigate. FBI Agent Fornell is dispatched by the CIA, but Jen feels as if she can solve the crime on her own. But it isn't until Abby and Ducky make some surprising discoveries that true progress is made. A cat-and-mouse pursuit leads to the escape of The Frog in the end.
"Knockout" S6E18 (7.1/10)
With two-tenths of a percentage lower than the next closest list entry, "Knockout" is easily the lowest-rated NCIS episode to date. Talk about a TKO!
Gibbs becomes upset with his superior Vance when the director enlists members of the NCIS crew for a case involving a missing ex-Marine and a dead boxer in Chicago. When Gibbs confronts Vance about failing to stay in his professional lane, all involved are forced to reassess the scenario. A trip to the windy city ends with a blustery return to D.C.