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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!

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
Episodes
120
Avg. Rating
7.6
S1
S2
S3
S4
E1
E2
E3
7.4
8.1
7.6
7.7
7.5
7.7
7.7
7.6
7.5
7.6
7.4
7.6

Best Episodes Summary

"Carpe Diem" is the best rated episode of "Madam Secretary". It scored 9/10 based on 364 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".

  • Carpe Diem
    9.0/10364 votes
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    #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

  • Leaving the Station
    8.6/10451 votes
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    #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

  • Tamerlane
    8.3/10590 votes
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    #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

  • Night Watch
    8.3/10405 votes
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    #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

  • The Show Must Go On
    8.1/10557 votes
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    #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

  • Vartius
    8.1/10412 votes
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    #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

  • So It Goes
    8.0/10555 votes
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    #7 - 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

  • Lights Out
    8.0/10466 votes
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    #8 - 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

  • Russian Roulette
    8.0/10451 votes
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    #9 - 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

  • The Greater Good
    8.0/10469 votes
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    #10 - 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

  • The Things We Get to Say
    8.0/10293 votes
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    #11 - 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

  • Carrying the Gold
    8.0/10266 votes
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    #12 - 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

  • Better Angels
    8.0/10310 votes
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    #13 - 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

  • Render Safe
    7.9/10350 votes
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    #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

  • Family Separation (1)
    7.9/10440 votes
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    #15 - 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

  • Family Separation (2)
    7.9/10382 votes
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    #16 - 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

  • Daisy
    7.9/10235 votes
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    #17 - 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

  • The Kill List
    7.8/10472 votes
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    #18 - 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

  • You Say You Want a Revolution
    7.8/10428 votes
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    #19 - 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: Joan Rater, Tony Phelan

  • Right of the Boom
    7.8/10384 votes
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    #20 - Right of the Boom

    Season 2 Episode 15 - Aired 2/21/2016

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Sound and Fury
    7.8/10370 votes
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    #21 - 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

  • The Magic Rake
    7.8/10295 votes
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    #22 - 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

  • Something Better
    7.8/10241 votes
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    #23 - Something Better

    Season 5 Episode 14 - Aired 2/17/2019

    When a group of American missionaries become hostages during a violent uprising abroad, Dalton must confront demons from his past in order to help Elizabeth secure their safe return home. Also, Stevie takes over Russell’s social media presence, and Henry helps his niece, Sarah, mentally prepare for her military deployment.

    Director: Charlotte Brändström

    Writer: Sara Ray

  • The Strike Zone
    7.8/10258 votes
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    #24 - 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

  • Valor
    7.8/10241 votes
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    #25 - 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