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The Best Episodes of Madam Secretary Season 1

Every episode of Madam Secretary Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Madam Secretary Season 1!

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

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "Madam Secretary" season 1. It scored 7.4/10 based on 858 votes. Directed by David Semel and written by Barbara Hall, it aired on 9/21/2014. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Another Benghazi".

  • Pilot
    7.4/10858 votes

    #1 - Pilot

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 9/21/2014

    The new Secretary Of State Elizabeth McCord finds herself immediately faced with a maelstrom of difficult political challenges with an international hostage situation being her most important challenge.

    Director: David Semel

    Writer: Barbara Hall

  • Another Benghazi
    7.5/10660 votes

    #2 - Another Benghazi

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 9/28/2014

    Elizabeth has to deal with a crisis in Yemen and there's trouble on the home front for her as well after her oldest daughter Stevie manages to make the headlines for protesting a new policy at her university.

    Director: David Semel

    Writer: Barbara Hall

  • The Operative
    7.5/10607 votes

    #3 - The Operative

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 10/5/2014

    Elizabeth is confronted by a hostile reporter who is threatening to publish confidential documents. Elsewhere, Henry is stuck in an international negotiation when his wife uses his job as leverage to make a deal with Pakistan.

    Director: Jeremy Webb

    Writer: David Grae

  • Just Another Normal Day
    7.4/10571 votes

    #4 - Just Another Normal Day

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/12/2014

    A Chinese student comes between a peace treaty between Japan and China. Stevie and Alison continue to clash.

    Director: Eric Stoltz

    Writer: Barbara Hall

  • Blame Canada
    7.6/10561 votes

    #5 - Blame Canada

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 10/19/2014

    Elizabeth negotiate's with Iran over their nuclear program. Jason works with his Dad on a school report.

    Director: Eriq La Salle

    Writer: Paul Redford

  • The Call
    7.3/10548 votes

    #6 - The Call

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 10/26/2014

    Elizabeth faces unexpected consequences when she makes a plea to the President to help with a dire situation in Western Africa.

    Director: Mark Piznarski

    Writer: Matt Ward

  • Passage
    7.5/10538 votes

    #7 - Passage

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 11/2/2014

    After Elizabeth takes Alison with her to India on her first state department trip abroad, she is soon in crisis mode after a huge earthquake hits that causes an explosion at an American-owned factory. She is also separated from Alison.

    Director: Martha Coolidge

    Writer: Alex Cooley

  • Need to Know
    7.6/10508 votes

    #8 - Need to Know

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 11/9/2014

    Henry ends up being reactivated by the president into the NSA and he decides to keep his continued involvement in the spy game a secret from Elizabeth.

    Director: Dennie Gordon

    Writer: Alexander Maggio

  • So It Goes
    8.0/10545 votes

    #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

  • Collateral Damage
    7.6/10510 votes

    #10 - Collateral Damage

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 11/23/2014

    A deranged gunman manages to leave the State Department in lockdown. Matt has some information to tell Daisy's fiance.

    Director: Eric Stoltz

    Writer: Matt Ward

  • Game On
    7.7/10515 votes

    #11 - Game On

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 11/30/2014

    Elizabeth, Henry and Isabelle work together to find former Secretary of State Vincent Marsh’s secret bank account, but soon uncover that one of Elizabeth’s staff members already has access to it.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Standoff
    7.3/10491 votes

    #12 - Standoff

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 1/4/2015

    When a Texas state trooper is killed by a Mexican cartel smuggler, Elizabeth arranges an extradition deal before going on vacation to celebrate her 25th wedding anniversary in New York City. However, when political issues arise around the case, she is forced to cut their trip short.

    Director: Gloria Muzio

    Writer: Joseph C. Muscat

  • Chains of Command
    7.6/10488 votes

    #13 - Chains of Command

    Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 1/11/2015

    Elizabeth pushes for the prosecution of a Bahraini diplomat after he is caught holding a maid hostage in his home. Also, Henry's father comes to visit.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Whisper of the Ax
    7.7/10471 votes

    #14 - Whisper of the Ax

    Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 3/1/2015

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Ninth Circle
    7.7/10475 votes

    #15 - The Ninth Circle

    Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 3/8/2015

    Elizabeth heads to Turkey to mend political relations after the Turkish government releases a video that could be damaging to the CIA. Also, Jason is threatened with expulsion after punching a bully at school.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Tamerlane
    8.3/10578 votes

    #16 - 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

  • Face the Nation
    7.7/10484 votes

    #17 - Face the Nation

    Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 3/22/2015

    As Elizabeth struggles to hold herself together emotionally following the attack in Iran, she works to prevent an ecological disaster in the Amazon, and prepares for a national television appearance on “Face the Nation.” Also, she and Henry disagree about the level of protection Jason should have at his new school.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Time Is at Hand
    7.4/10448 votes

    #18 - The Time Is at Hand

    Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 3/29/2015

    While Elizabeth seeks a diplomatic solution to a doomsday cult in Bolivia, a congressman attempting to negotiate with its leader is taken hostage. Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Henry meet Stevie’s much older boyfriend.

    Director: Anna Foerster

    Writer: N/A

  • Spartan Figures
    7.2/10464 votes

    #19 - Spartan Figures

    Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 4/5/2015

    Elizabeth and President Dalton work together to solve the Greek debt crisis, but not everyone at home is happy with the agreement. Meanwhile, Henry mulls over a new job offer, and Stevie reconnects with her childhood friend, the President’s son.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Necessary Art
    7.5/10449 votes

    #20 - The Necessary Art

    Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 4/12/2015

    While Henry is in Russia giving a lecture on fundamentalism, Elizabeth must navigate tricky political waters when a Russian nuclear submarine vanishes in American waters. Also, Stevie breaks up with her older boyfriend.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Kill List
    7.8/10461 votes

    #21 - 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

  • There But for the Grace of God
    7.7/10470 votes

    #22 - There But for the Grace of God

    Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 5/3/2015

    When Elizabeth confronts her former friend Juliet, she flashes back to when then-CIA Director Dalton offered her a job that would have changed the course of her life. Also, Stevie and President Dalton’s son, Harrison (Jason Ralph), begin a relationship that will have consequences.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A