‘NCIS’ Season 18 Episodes Ranked

NCIS Season 18 is over and season 19 will start soon. Here's a look at each episode and how they rank.

by Sheiresa Ngo

Published on July 30, 2021

3 min read

NCIS Season 18 ended, and we’re now gearing up for season 19. Here’s a look at how each of the NCIS Season 18 episodes ranked according to IMDb viewer ratings.

‘NCIS’ Season 18, Episode 11: ‘Gut Punch’

Mark Harmon with the NCIS team | Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images

IMDb rating: 6.9

The lowest-rated NCIS Season 18 episode is episode 11 (titled “Gut Punch”). Viewers gave the episode a score of 6.9 out of a possible 10. In this episode, Vance (Rocky Carroll) places the team on a COVID compliance assignment at a foreign affairs summit after they lied about what happened between Gibbs and a suspect. Gibbs was later suspended after he beat up a suspect.

‘NCIS’ Season 18 Episode 1: Sturgeon Season

IMDb rating: 7.3

During NCIS Season 18 Episode 1 (titled “Sturgeon Season”), Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and Fornell (Joe Spano) try to find the leader of a drug ring who supplied counterfeit drugs to Emily Fornell. Also, Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) can’t seem to find a missing body.

‘NCIS’ Season 18, Episode 8: True Believer

IMDb rating: 7.5

This is the episode where Sloane (Maria Bello) leaves NCIS. She decides her purpose is to serve people in Afghanistan at an organization called Safe Passage.

‘NCIS’ Season 18 Episode 10: Watchdog

IMDb rating: 7.6

During this episode, Gibbs is suspended after beating up a suspect. The man he beat up was accused of killing dogs who lost their matches in a dog-fighting ring. This was a disturbing episode. In one scene we see Gibbs pulling a dead dog out of the water. It’s clear why this episode didn’t get high marks.

‘NCIS’ Season 18 Episode 13: Misconduct

IMDb rating: 7.8

The NCIS team looks into the case of a biker killed in a hit and run. Also, Gibbs decides to testify against a financial adviser who tricked his Navy clients into forking over millions.

‘NCIS’ Season 18 Episode 6: 1mm

IMDb rating: 7.9

NCIS Season 18 Episode 6 (titled “1mm”) focuses on Bishop (Emily Wickersham) and Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) and their attempt to escape being trapped inside an abandoned jail. We also see the aftermath of McGee getting shot by Gibbs (Mark Harmon). It’s a somber episode peppered with some interesting moments from Bishop and Torres.

‘NCIS’ Season 18 Episode 3: Blood and Treasure

IMDb rating: 8.0

The NCIS team participates in a treasure hunt so they can solve a murder mystery. Also, Gibbs (Mark Harmon) continues to help Fornell (Joe Spano) find the person responsible for his daughter’s overdose. One surprise you might have noticed is that Thomas F. Wilson, the actor who played Biff in the Back to the Future franchise, guest-starred in this episode. He played Angus Demint. NCIS Season 18 Episode 12, titled “Sangre,” also received an 8.0 IMDb rating.

‘NCIS’ Season 18 Episode 4: Sunburn

IMDb rating: 8.1

During NCIS Season 18 Episode 4 (titled “Sunburn”), we see McGee (Sean Murray) and his wife, Delilah, on vacation. We don’t see McGee’s wife often, so it was a welcome guest appearance from actor Margo Harshman.

Delilah Fielding was introduced during NCIS Season 11, Episode 1 (titled “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot”). Delilah became paralyzed during season 11, episode 13 (titled “Double Back”), after an explosion at a gala she was attending. She lost her ability to walk after a piece of shrapnel became lodged in her spine. Episode 15, titled “Blow Away,” also received an 8.1 IMDb rating.

‘NCIS’ Season 18 Episode 7: The First Day

IMDb rating: 8.2

This episode was a rough one. During episode 7, we learn that Jimmy Palmer’s wife, Breena, died after episode 14, titled “Unseen Improvements,” and episode 16, titled “Rule 91,” also received an 8.2 IMDb rating.

‘NCIS’ Season 18 Episode 5: Head of the Snake

IMDb rating: 8.7

Episode 5 focused on Gibbs and Fornell’s continued search for the head of the drug ring that supplied Emily Fornell with counterfeit opiates. It was a heavy episode at times, but there were moments of comic relief from Joe Spano and Wilmer Valderrama. This episode was likely a favorite among fans because it was finally revealed why Gibbs shot McGee.

‘NCIS’ Season 18 Episode 2: Everything Starts Somewhere