9.0/10358 votesLoading...#1 - Carpe Diem
Season 6 Episode 9 - Aired 12/1/2019
Elizabeth faces a national security crisis when a military conflict in international waters spirals to the brink of nuclear confrontation. Also, with the imminent threat of impeachment looming over the McCord administration, Elizabeth and Henry make a wish-list of things to do while she’s still in office.
Director: Félix Enríquez Alcalá
Writer: David Grae
8.6/10444 votesLoading...#2 - Leaving the Station
Season 6 Episode 10 - Aired 12/8/2019
President Elizabeth McCord kicks off a new landmark political initiative with help from members of the World Cup Champion U.S. Women’s Soccer team. Also, the McCords overcome last-minute obstacles to pull off a spectacular family celebration.
Director: Eric Stoltz
Writer: Barbara Hall
8.3/10577 votesLoading...#3 - Tamerlane
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 3/15/2015
Elizabeth secretly travels to Iran in an attempt to prevent a coup that could impact President Dalton’s administration. Also, she brings her staff up to speed on the investigation into Marsh’s death.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.3/10399 votesLoading...#4 - Night Watch
Season 4 Episode 22 - Aired 5/20/2018
Elizabeth and cabinet members brace for the fallout at home and abroad as President Dalton prepares for a retaliatory nuclear attack on a country that has reportedly just launched missiles bound for the U.S.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.1/10545 votesLoading...#5 - The Show Must Go On
Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 10/4/2015
The President’s plane is declared missing and Elizabeth is thrust into a situation of power she never imagined possible. Also, Henry butts heads with his new Defense Intelligence Agency handler, Jane Fellows, when he’s asked to recruit one of his Russian students for the NSA.
Director: Morgan Freeman
Writer: Barbara Hall
8.1/10407 votesLoading...#6 - Vartius
Season 2 Episode 23 - Aired 5/8/2016
When Elizabeth receives shocking news about an important political operative, she navigates a tricky political situation with President Dalton, who she learns may be considering replacing her as Secretary of State. Also, Stevie and Jareth get engaged.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.1/10262 votesLoading...#7 - Carrying the Gold
Season 5 Episode 19 - Aired 4/14/2019
As Elizabeth prepares to officially declare her candidacy for president, she must deal with fallout from a news article alleging she had an affair with President Dalton during her CIA days. Also, Mike B. and Jay adjust to the growing pains in their expanded roles as campaign staffers, and Elizabeth calls for a UN criminal tribunal against Myanmar military leaders over their treatment of the Rohingya.
Director: Sunu Gonera
Writer: Matt Chester
8.1/10306 votesLoading...#8 - Better Angels
Season 5 Episode 20 - Aired 4/21/2019
As Elizabeth prepares to leave the state department and announce her run for president, terrorists attack the United Nations delegation in Geneva that is there to sign the climate migration treaty.
Director: John Murray
Writer: Matt Ward
8.0/10544 votesLoading...#9 - So It Goes
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 11/16/2014
Elizabeth, Henry and Isabelle investigate a plane crash that killed former Secretary of State Vincent Marsh. Nadine reenters the dating scene after she agrees to go on a date with a NASA scientist.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.0/10457 votesLoading...#10 - Lights Out
Season 2 Episode 8 - Aired 11/22/2015
As tensions rise with Russia, Elizabeth, Russell and Mike B. hatch a plan to oust National Security Advisor Craig Sterling without tarnishing President Dalton with a scandal. Director of National Intelligence Ephraim Ware identifies who hacked Air Force One.
Director: Dennie Gordon
Writer: N/A
8.0/10443 votesLoading...#11 - Russian Roulette
Season 2 Episode 9 - Aired 11/29/2015
Shortly before Elizabeth is to deliver a speech at the United Nations accusing Russia for the attack on Air Force One, Henry shares information that makes her reconsider her theory.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.0/10463 votesLoading...#12 - The Greater Good
Season 2 Episode 10 - Aired 12/13/2015
After they uncover a secret that could ruin Maria Ostrov’s reputation, Elizabeth and President Dalton head to Switzerland to meet with her and use the information as leverage to find a peaceful solution to the escalated conflict with Russia. Also, Dmitri requests to be released from his duties as a spy.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.0/10286 votesLoading...#13 - The Things We Get to Say
Season 4 Episode 20 - Aired 5/6/2018
Elizabeth must watch what she says and does when she deals with a refugee situation while being shadowed by Neal Shin, a newspaper reporter who may use his access to write a tell-all book.
Director: Sunu Gonera
Writer: Joy Gregory
7.9/10344 votesLoading...#14 - Render Safe
Season 2 Episode 22 - Aired 5/1/2016
The United States debates enacting a “render safe” mission to secure nuclear weapons that belong to the Pakistani government before it collapses, while the Murphy Station pursues the terrorist Jibral Disah.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.9/10363 votesLoading...#15 - Sound and Fury
Season 4 Episode 12 - Aired 1/14/2018
After President Dalton hears about a sonic attack at the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria, he thinks Russia is to blame and uncharacteristically threatens them with military force, leaving his cabinet concerned about his mental status.
Director: Deborah Reinisch
Writer: David Grae, Barbara Hall
7.9/10290 votesLoading...#16 - The Magic Rake
Season 5 Episode 3 - Aired 10/21/2018
Elizabeth flies to Fashion Week in Milan to face off against the Chinese Foreign Minister over an anti-sweatshop treaty in the aftermath of a tragedy. Also, Daisy struggles with feelings of fear and pessimism over her baby’s future, under the threat of rising nationalism in the wake of the attack on the White House.
Director: John Murray
Writer: Matt Ward
7.9/10434 votesLoading...#17 - Family Separation (1)
Season 5 Episode 10 - Aired 12/23/2018
Elizabeth goes head to head with a U.S. governor over the state’s new policy of separating unauthorized immigrants from their children.
Director: Rob J. Greenlea
Writer: David Grae, Barbara Hall
7.9/10378 votesLoading...#18 - Family Separation (2)
Season 5 Episode 11 - Aired 1/6/2019
Elizabeth goes head to head with a U.S. governor over the state's new policy of separating unauthorized immigrants from their children. Also, she and Henry plan to renew their wedding vows.
Director: Martha Mitchell
Writer: David Grae, Barbara Hall
7.9/10254 votesLoading...#19 - The Strike Zone
Season 6 Episode 2 - Aired 10/13/2019
Elizabeth faces mounting protests over rising fuel costs as she prepares to throw out the first pitch at a New York Mets game. Also, Mike B. is questioned by the Senate Intelligence Committee as part of the investigation into whether the McCord campaign conspired with Iran to steal the election.
Director: Félix Enríquez Alcalá
Writer: Joy Gregory
7.9/10237 votesLoading...#20 - Valor
Season 6 Episode 4 - Aired 10/27/2019
Henry teams up with a Marine veteran to fight for legislation that helps Veterans Affairs provide better mental health care, but he encounters surprising resistance from Vice President Carlos Morejon. Also, Senator Hanson questions Daisy about an arrest in her past.
Director: James Whitmore Jr.
Writer: Lyla Oliver
7.9/10231 votesLoading...#21 - Daisy
Season 6 Episode 5 - Aired 11/3/2019
When evidence implicates Daisy in the leak of hacked information during the presidential campaign and threatens to topple Elizabeth’s presidency, Elizabeth must decide what to believe and how far she’s willing to go to uncover the truth. Also, Henry and Elizabeth host former President Dalton at the White House after his interview with Bob Schieffer.
Director: James Whitmore Jr.
Writer: Alexander Maggio
7.9/10220 votesLoading...#22 - Accountability
Season 6 Episode 7 - Aired 11/17/2019
When U.S. intelligence locates the mastermind behind a foreign country's hack, Elizabeth must decide whether to risk war by extracting him from the country while she also prepares for the White House correspondents' dinner. Also, Jason faces backlash after he confronts his school newspaper over its coverage of Elizabeth.
Director: Darnell Martin
Writer: Leland Jay Anderson
7.8/10462 votesLoading...#23 - The Kill List
Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 4/26/2015
As Elizabeth prepares for the arrival of Iranian President Shiraz to sign a nuclear treaty, she uncovers a top secret plot to assassinate him on United States soil. At the same time, she must deal with a massive protest by the Human Rights Campaign in response to Iran’s plans to stone a gay citizen to death. Also, Elizabeth sees a therapist (Marsha Mason) to deal with her PTSD.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.8/10418 votesLoading...#24 - You Say You Want a Revolution
Season 2 Episode 7 - Aired 11/15/2015
With the support of President Dalton, Elizabeth attempts to get the Senate's support for a history-making effort to lift the Cuban trade embargo. Also, Henry and Alison bond while touring Havana together.
Director: Tate Donovan
Writer: Tony Phelan, Joan Rater
7.8/10394 votesLoading...#25 - Left of the Boom
Season 2 Episode 14 - Aired 2/14/2016
While Elizabeth oversees a mission to track down the culprits behind a uranium heist in Eastern Europe, she also contends with highly sensitive issues in Saudi Arabia, including the apprehension of two American teenage girls who intended to join a terrorist group, that threatens to dismantle an important arms deal.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of Madam Secretary
Every episode of Madam Secretary ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Madam Secretary!
After years away from the CIA, Elizabeth McCord is pulled back into the political arena. The newly appointed Secretary of State is tough, fair, and...
Genres:DramaWar & Politics
Network:CBS
Best Episodes Summary
"Carpe Diem" is the best rated episode of "Madam Secretary". It scored 9/10 based on 358 votes. Directed by Félix Enríquez Alcalá and written by David Grae, it aired on 12/1/2019. This episode scored 0.4 points higher than the second highest rated, "Leaving the Station".