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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!

Binge this in 3d 16h•Peaking at 9.0/10

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 smart, driving international diplomacy, wrangling office politics, and circumventing protocol

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Madam Secretary Season 6 Episode 9 - Carpe Diem
    9.0/10(392 votes)

    #1 - Carpe Diem

    S6:E9

    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 Alcalá
    Writer:David Grae

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  2. Madam Secretary Season 6 Episode 10 - Leaving the Station
    8.6/10(478 votes)

    #2 - Leaving the Station

    S6:E10

    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

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  3. Madam Secretary Season 1 Episode 16 - Tamerlane
    8.4/10(627 votes)

    #3 - Tamerlane

    S1:E16

    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:Jonathan Brown
    Writer:David Grae

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  4. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 22 - Night Watch
    8.4/10(440 votes)

    #4 - Night Watch

    S4:E22

    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:Rob J. Greenlea
    Writers:David Grae, Barbara Hall

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  5. Madam Secretary Season 2 Episode 1 - The Show Must Go On
    8.1/10(590 votes)

    #5 - The Show Must Go On

    S2:E1

    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

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  6. Madam Secretary Season 2 Episode 8 - Lights Out
    8.1/10(494 votes)

    #6 - Lights Out

    S2:E8

    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:Alexander Maggio

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Madam Secretary

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  7. Madam Secretary Season 2 Episode 9 - Russian Roulette
    8.1/10(477 votes)

    #7 - Russian Roulette

    S2:E9

    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:Jonathan Brown
    Writer:Barbara Hall

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  8. Madam Secretary Season 2 Episode 10 - The Greater Good
    8.1/10(498 votes)

    #8 - The Greater Good

    S2:E10

    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:Eric Stoltz
    Writer:David Grae

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  9. Madam Secretary Season 2 Episode 23 - Vartius
    8.1/10(437 votes)

    #9 - Vartius

    S2:E23

    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:Eric Stoltz
    Writer:Barbara Hall

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  10. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 20 - The Things We Get to Say
    8.1/10(315 votes)

    #10 - The Things We Get to Say

    S4:E20

    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

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  11. Madam Secretary Season 5 Episode 20 - Better Angels
    8.1/10(335 votes)

    #11 - Better Angels

    S5:E20

    As Elizabeth prepares to leave the state department and announce her run for president, anti-globalist terrorists attack the United Nations delegation in Geneva who are there to sign the climate migration treaty.

    Director:John Murray
    Writer:Matt Ward

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  12. Madam Secretary Season 1 Episode 9 - So It Goes
    8.0/10(592 votes)

    #12 - So It Goes

    S1:E9

    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:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writer:David Grae

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  13. Madam Secretary Season 5 Episode 19 - The Great Experiment
    8.0/10(291 votes)

    #13 - The Great Experiment

    S5:E19

    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

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  14. Madam Secretary Season 2 Episode 7 - You Say You Want a Revolution
    7.9/10(451 votes)

    #14 - You Say You Want a Revolution

    S2:E7

    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
    Writers:Tony Phelan, Joan Rater

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  15. Madam Secretary Season 2 Episode 22 - Render Safe
    7.9/10(375 votes)

    #15 - Render Safe

    S2:E22

    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:Félix Alcalá
    Writer:David Grae

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  16. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 12 - Sound and Fury
    7.9/10(389 votes)

    #16 - Sound and Fury

    S4:E12

    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
    Writers:David Grae, Barbara Hall

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  17. Madam Secretary Season 5 Episode 11 - Family Separation (2)
    7.9/10(411 votes)

    #17 - Family Separation (2)

    S5:E11

    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
    Writers:David Grae, Barbara Hall

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  18. Madam Secretary Season 6 Episode 4 - Valor
    7.9/10(260 votes)

    #18 - Valor

    S6:E4

    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

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  19. Madam Secretary Season 6 Episode 5 - Daisy
    7.9/10(256 votes)

    #19 - Daisy

    S6:E5

    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

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  20. Madam Secretary Season 1 Episode 14 - Whisper of the Ax
    7.8/10(516 votes)

    #20 - Whisper of the Ax

    S1:E14

    Elizabeth is humiliated at a public budget hearing when her staff fails to find the corruption that exists in her microloan program. Also, the investigation into Marsh's death continues.

    Director:Eric Stoltz
    Writer:Barbara Hall

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  21. Madam Secretary Season 1 Episode 21 - The Kill List
    7.8/10(503 votes)

    #21 - The Kill List

    S1:E21

    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 to deal with her PTSD.

    Director:Edward Ornelas
    Writer:David Grae

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  22. Madam Secretary Season 2 Episode 2 - The Doability Doctrine
    7.8/10(486 votes)

    #22 - The Doability Doctrine

    S2:E2

    Elizabeth takes advice from former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and ignores President Dalton's recommendation on how to negotiate the safe return of a State Department employee who was kidnapped in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Henry is having trouble persuading a student to spy for the U.S. government.

    Director:Eric Stoltz
    Writer:David Grae

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  23. Madam Secretary Season 2 Episode 14 - Left of the Boom
    7.8/10(424 votes)

    #23 - Left of the Boom

    S2:E14

    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:Rob J. Greenlea
    Writer:Joy Gregory

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  24. Madam Secretary Season 2 Episode 15 - Right of the Boom
    7.8/10(408 votes)

    #24 - Right of the Boom

    S2:E15

    Following a shocking event on U.S. soil, Elizabeth rushes to find answers to President Dalton's many questions about how it was able to occur.

    Director:Jonathan Brown
    Writer:Alexander Maggio

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  25. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 9 - Snap Back
    7.8/10(318 votes)

    #25 - Snap Back

    S3:E9

    As the U.N. Security Council considers reinstating sanctions against Iran for its suspected nuclear activities, Elizabeth tries to stop Israel from taking matters into its own hands when it threatens military action against the Iranians.

    Director:Sam Hoffman
    Writer:Shalisha Francis

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Best Episodes Summary

"Carpe Diem" is the best rated episode of "Madam Secretary". It scored 9/10 based on 392 votes. Directed by Félix 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".