10 Classic NCIS Episodes, Ranked: The Best Early Years — Every Fan Still Remembers

Can you believe NCIS has been on TV for over twenty years? It first aired in 2003, spinning off from JAG, and it just worked from the start. Sure, the cases were always interesting, but it was the team—their quirks, their chemistry, all those little moments—that made us want to come back each week.

With so many seasons behind us and even more spin-offs now, it’s easy to forget just how good those early episodes really were. But if you revisit the beginning, it’s like pulling on your favorite old sweater. The early NCIS had a certain charm and spark you just can’t fake.

So grab a Caf-Pow and let’s rewind to ten classic episodes that remind us why we all got hooked on NCIS in the first place.

10. 'Twilight' (Season 2, Episode 23): The Gut Punch That Changed Everything

If you watched live back then, you probably remember the ending like it was yesterday. The whole episode is tense, with Ari Haswari back to stir up trouble for Gibbs and the team. But it’s the shocking loss of Agent Kate Todd that hits the hardest. It was the first time NCIS killed off a main character, and it really set the tone for how high the stakes could get.

"That ending? Absolutely brutal. It was the moment NCIS proved it wasn’t afraid to break our hearts."

9. 'Yankee White' (Season 1, Episode 1): Where It All Began

The first real episode throws you right into the action—a Navy Commander dies on Air Force One, and suddenly it’s a full-blown crisis. We meet Gibbs, Tony, Abby, and Ducky, plus Secret Service Agent Kate Todd, who joins the squad after this wild case. No one knew just how attached we’d get to these characters.

8. 'See No Evil' (Season 2, Episode 1): More Than Meets the Eye

A Navy Captain’s wife and daughter are kidnapped, and it looks like a straightforward ransom case. But nothing is simple with Gibbs around. As they dig in, the story gets more complicated, and the emotion really lands. This one shows how early NCIS balanced action with real human stories.

7. 'Sub Rosa' (Season 1, Episode 7): Trapped Under the Sea

McGee is still the new guy, and this episode sends Gibbs and Kate onto a submarine after a mysterious body turns up. With the killer hiding somewhere below deck, there’s a real claustrophobic tension. It’s a memorable one, especially if you like the classic “locked in with a suspect” setup.

6. 'One Shot, One Kill' (Season 1, Episode 13): Gibbs vs. Sniper

A sniper is targeting Marines, and Gibbs’ own history as a sniper comes into play. He goes undercover, using his instincts to try and outsmart the shooter. Even if we didn’t get a huge sniper duel, it’s still a classic Gibbs episode—focused, smart, and just a little intimidating.

5. 'Dead Man Talking' (Season 1, Episode 19): When the Case Hits Home

It’s personal this time. When Agent Chris Pacci is killed, it rattles the whole office. The team’s hunt for his killer brings out their loyalty, and you feel just how close-knit they really are. It’s a heavy episode, but one of the best for showing the heart behind the badge.

4. 'Call of Silence' (Season 2, Episode 7): Echoes of the Past

A World War II veteran walks into NCIS and confesses to killing a friend during the war. The episode takes its time, letting the team piece together the truth and showing a lot of empathy along the way. It’s quieter than most, but it sticks with you.

"A truly profound episode that showed NCIS could handle deep emotional stories just as well as action."

3. 'Bête Noire' (Season 1, Episode 16): Trapped in Autopsy

Ari Haswari’s first real appearance—and he’s not messing around. Ducky, Gerald, and Kate are held hostage in autopsy, and the whole thing feels tense from start to finish. This episode kicked off a storyline that would haunt the team for seasons.

2. 'The Meat Puzzle' (Season 2, Episode 13): Getting Under Ducky’s Skin

The name alone is enough to make you cringe, but it’s the connection to Ducky that makes it memorable. When bodies tied to an old trial resurface, Ducky ends up in danger. The team pulls together, and the case keeps you guessing right until the end.

1. 'SWAK' (Season 2, Episode 22): Sealed With A Kiss… of Death

Tony opens a letter, white powder flies, and suddenly the bullpen is locked down with a deadly plague on the loose. The fear, the urgency, the team’s loyalty—all of it comes together perfectly. Watching Kate refuse to leave Tony’s side and Gibbs move mountains to save them? That’s classic NCIS at its best.

"SWAK is the episode that proved how much this team felt like family, and how far they’d go for each other."

Why We Still Love These Episodes

Looking back, it’s clear the early seasons had something special. There was a mix of humor, suspense, and genuine connection that’s hard to beat. Even with all the changes over the years, these episodes still feel like home.

How about you? Which early NCIS episodes do you still think about? Share your favorites in the comments below!