NCIS

10 Best Episodes of NCIS - Season 3

NCIS is one of the longest-running crime drama series on CBS. It first aired in 2003 and is currently in its 22nd season. The show follows a team of special agents as they investigate military-related crimes. It has gained a large following and has been praised for its action-packed plotlines. For those looking to jump in, here are the best episodes of NCIS ranked.

The top NCIS episodes all feature exciting investigations with twists and turns that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Additionally, many of them showcase the personal relationships between the agents and the criminals they're pursuing. From solving cases involving stolen submarines to terrorism, these episodes will keep you guessing until the very end.

From investigating a Navy officer's suspicious death to tracking down a terrorist organization, these NCIS episodes are sure to keep you hooked. Whether you're a long-time fan or a new viewer, these episodes are the perfect way to get into the show. So, read on and discover the best episodes of NCIS ranked.

Written by Sophie and last updated on apr 18, 2024.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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NCIS - S3E17

#15 - Ravenous (Season 3 - Episode 17)

When Marine dog tags are found in a national forest by a group of teens, the NCIS team is called in to investigate. While searching for the campsite of the Marine, the team finds out that there was another person, possibly a woman, with him. The investigation takes them to an even more higher discovery -- there could be a serial killer killing women in the national forest.

The episode was rated 7.78 from 404 votes.

NCIS - S3E3

#14 - Mind Games (Season 3 - Episode 3)

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Gibbs is ordered to talk to a convict that is about to be executed, in order to discover information about the place where he hid his victims, but when the plan doesn't work, the team must solve the case in their own way.

The episode was rated 7.79 from 476 votes.

NCIS - S3E4

#13 - Silver War (Season 3 - Episode 4)

When a corpse of a man is found inside a tomb that comes from the Civil War, the team discovers that the victim, a Sergeant, was buried alive. During the investigation, Abby tracks down the last phone call of the victim. Meanwhile, Gibbs is informed by his new boss Jenny Sheppard that agent Ziva is now a full-time NCIS agent.

The episode was rated 7.81 from 461 votes.

NCIS - S3E21

#12 - Bloodbath (Season 3 - Episode 21)

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While working on just a regular murder case with the rest of the NCIS team, Abby is almost killed by an evidence from the case and soon it becomes clear that the murder was staged, and that someone wants Abby dead. The team discovers some enemies from Abby's past, and they must find out who is the person, before the person kills Abby.

The episode was rated 7.82 from 425 votes.

NCIS - S3E22

#11 - Jeopardy (Season 3 - Episode 22)

The NCIS team must protect Ziva when a suspect dies while being in custody, and her tactic might be the reason why the person died. The things become much more dangerous when the suspect's brother kidnapps Jenny, and demands the release of his brother in exchange for Jenny, but he has no idea that his brother is dead.

The episode was rated 7.83 from 418 votes.

NCIS - S3E7

#10 - Honor Code (Season 3 - Episode 7)

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When a 6-year-old boy informs the NCIS team that his father was kidnapped, the team discovers that the missing father is actually a Lt. Commander working on a secret project named Honor, and that he is the only one who has the code that can open the project. While Gibbs gets closer with the boy, the rest of the team discovers that the project has been hacked in and the information inside has been deleted. Is the missing man innocent or is he actually the guilty one?

The episode was rated 7.85 from 431 votes.

NCIS - S3E12

#9 - Boxed In (Season 3 - Episode 12)

While on investigation at a shipyard, looking for smuggled weapons, Tony and Ziva dissapear and it's up to NCIS to find them. Abby tries to track them down by tracking down their GPS chips, but they seem to be out of reach. Meanwhile, Tony and Ziva, hiding in a container, find evidence which could help them solve the case.

The episode was rated 7.87 from 418 votes.

NCIS - S3E18

#8 - Bait (Season 3 - Episode 18)

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The NCIS team must stop a teenage student from detonating a bomb attached to his body, while he's taking the other students hostage at a Quantico base high school. Gibbs tries to stop him when he enters the classroom, only to realize that there may be someone else controlling the teenage student from the outside. Meanwhile, while Gibbs is in the classroom, Tony is left in charge.

The episode was rated 7.87 from 399 votes.

NCIS - S3E10

#7 - Probie (Season 3 - Episode 10)

While on duty, McGee kills a man who is later discovered to be an undercover police officer. When Jenny decides to approve the investigation on McGee, the NCIS team is forced to prove that McGee is not guilty, pushing Gibbs' relationship with Jen to the limit. Meanwhile, Tony is troubled by his past.

The episode was rated 7.88 from 413 votes.

NCIS - S3E23

#6 - Hiatus (1) (Season 3 - Episode 23)

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While working on an assignment, Gibbs is seriously injured in an explosion, and taken to a hospital, where he recalls his painful past, which he has always hidden from others. The rest of the team must proceed with the investigation and put their feelings towards Gibbs's injury aside. Tony is left in charge, which may cause a bit of trouble.

The episode was rated 7.89 from 413 votes.

NCIS - S3E1

#5 - Kill Ari (1) (Season 3 - Episode 1)

After the terrorist's attack, the NCIS team is shocked and is trying to cope with Kate's sudden death, each in their own way. Now, their mission is to collect all the possible info on Ari and find a way to stop him before he does any more damage. Meanwhile, while feeling guilty over Kate's death, Gibbs is informed that the NCIS director is leaving, and the replacement is Jenny Shepard, a woman Gibbs worked with in the past and had a romantic history with.

The episode was rated 7.97 from 497 votes.

NCIS - S3E9

#4 - Frame-Up (Season 3 - Episode 9)

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Tony is accused of murdering a woman whos body was found at Quantico and the team must prove his innocence. All the possible evidence prove that Tony is guilty and the team will give their best to set their agent and a friend free.

The episode was rated 7.98 from 434 votes.

NCIS - S3E8

#3 - Under Covers (Season 3 - Episode 8)

When bodies of two hired assassins are delivered to the NCIS team, Ziva & Tony go undercover assuming the victim's identities in order to find the person who hired the assassins for their mission. While working on the case, Ziva & Tony spend some quality time in a luxury hotel and the attraction between them arises. Gibbs discovers that his team is not the only one working on the case.

The episode was rated 7.99 from 430 votes.

NCIS - S3E2

#2 - Kill Ari (2) (Season 3 - Episode 2)

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The episode Kill Ari (2) of NCIS continues the intense storyline of Agent Gibbs’s pursuit of the terrorist Ari. After the death of his close friend and colleague, Kate, Agent Gibbs is more determined than ever to bring Ari to justice and avenge her death. In this episode, Ari takes Gibbs’s other close friend and colleague, Ducky, and uses him to psychologically manipulate and torture Gibbs. To try and find Ari and free Ducky, Gibbs sends Tony to follow Ziva, who has a strange connection to Ari. While Gibbs and Jenny are almost killed by a bomb, Gibbs is even more determined to finish his mission, and Ziva’s connection may be just the help he needs.

The episode Kill Ari (2) of NCIS is one of the most intense episodes in the show’s history, with high stakes and an emotionally charged storyline. With the death of Kate and the kidnapping of Ducky, Agent Gibbs is pushed to the edge in his pursuit of Ari. In this episode, he must confront his own feelings of grief and anger to finally bring Ari to justice and avenge his fallen friends. Ziva’s mysterious connection to Ari also promises to be a key factor in the resolution of the episode as Agent Gibbs must rely on her to help him bring down his enemy.

The episode was rated 8.07 from 489 votes.

NCIS - S3E24

#1 - Hiatus (2) (Season 3 - Episode 24)

The NCIS team is tasked with a difficult mission against a terrorist group, but without their leader, Gibbs. Gibbs has suffered from the explosion and is now dealing with memory loss. His mentor and former boss visit him, trying to help him with his situation.

As the team continues to investigate, they uncover that only Gibbs can provide the necessary information they need to stop the terrorists. With the help of his mentor and boss, Gibbs must try to remember the details of the terrorists' plans before it's too late.

The episode was rated 8.16 from 402 votes.

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