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The Best Episodes of Madam Secretary Season 3

Every episode of Madam Secretary Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Madam Secretary Season 3!

Binge this in 17h 13m•Peaking at 7.8/10

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
    Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 1 - Sea Change
    7.7/10(385 votes)

    #1 - Sea Change

    S3:E1

    When a storm destroys a naval base in Bahrain, Elizabeth urges President Dalton to reexamine his approach to climate change and his overall foreign policy, something that could jeopardize his re-election campaign. Also, the McCords worry that their family is being stalked when they discover Jason’s laptop may have been hacked.

    Director:Morgan Freeman
    Writer:Barbara Hall

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  2. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 2 - The Linchpin
    7.7/10(346 votes)

    #2 - The Linchpin

    S3:E2

    With Algeria on the brink of a civil war, Elizabeth delicately negotiates a regime change, but her plans go awry when Roy Curtis, the trusted U.S. Ambassador to Algeria, dies unexpectedly. Also, Henry fights to save religious antiquities in Algeria when he discovers they are being destroyed by Hizb al-Shahid.

    Director:Eric Stoltz
    Writer:David Grae

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  3. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 3 - South China Sea
    7.4/10(319 votes)

    #3 - South China Sea

    S3:E3

    After U.S. environmental activists protesting China’s damage of a South China Sea reef are arrested for spying, Elizabeth finds herself in a stalemate with the Chinese foreign minister as she lobbies for their release.

    Director:Rob J. Greenlea
    Writer:Matt Ward

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  4. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 4 - The Dissent Memo
    7.4/10(319 votes)

    #4 - The Dissent Memo

    S3:E4

    After a bombing at a political rally in Angola, Elizabeth must find a way to respond to a “dissent memo” from the Bureau of African Affairs when they criticize the Dalton Administration’s lack of attention to the upcoming Angolan election.

    Director:Félix Alcalá
    Writer:Joy Gregory

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  5. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 5 - The French Revolution
    7.5/10(322 votes)

    #5 - The French Revolution

    S3:E5

    When an imminent U.S.-France state dinner is jeopardized after a CIA operative is captured by French intelligence, Elizabeth must negotiate the operative’s release while keeping the event on track.

    Director:Jonathan Brown
    Writer:Moira Kirland

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  6. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 6 - The Statement
    7.6/10(319 votes)

    #6 - The Statement

    S3:E6

    When Elizabeth discovers that a terrorist bombing at an Illinois coffee shop was funded by someone with close ties to the Saudi government, she makes a bold move after the Saudi ambassador refuses to bring the man to justice. Also, Matt refuses to issue a statement when news breaks that he and the bomber are linked to the same mosque, and Henry reaches out to Dmitri when he hears he’s having trouble adjusting to his new life in Phoenix.

    Director:Jet Wilkinson
    Writer:Alex Cooley

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  7. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 7 - Tectonic Shift
    7.5/10(321 votes)

    #7 - Tectonic Shift

    S3:E7

    After Venezuela’s president and his immediate successors are killed in a devastating earthquake, Elizabeth works to stop a power grab by the late president’s son, as well as secure the release of the international aid team he arrested.

    Director:Arlene Sanford
    Writer:Lyla Oliver

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  8. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 8 - Breakout Capacity
    7.5/10(314 votes)

    #8 - Breakout Capacity

    S3:E8

    As President Dalton eagerly awaits voting results on Election Day, Elizabeth uncovers information that could put the U.S.’s peace deal with Iran in jeopardy.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writer:Alexander Maggio

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  9. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 9 - Snap Back
    7.7/10(308 votes)

    #9 - 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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  10. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 10 - The Race
    7.7/10(311 votes)

    #10 - The Race

    S3:E10

    When a possible Israel-Iran war threatens the House’s imminent vote on the U.S. presidential election, Elizabeth attempts to bring the two reluctant countries to the negotiation table in an effort to broker a peace between them. Also, Russell’s life hangs in the balance after a heart attack.

    Director:Eric Stoltz
    Writer:David Grae

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  11. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 11 - Gift Horse
    7.5/10(311 votes)

    #11 - Gift Horse

    S3:E11

    When the Mongolian government sends Elizabeth a horse as a gift, she thinks accepting it could upset other Asian countries, but she stirs up more controversy when she considers returning it to Mongolia. Also, Gov. Sam Evans threatens to sue Ohio for putting President Dalton on the election ballot, and Stevie has an interesting first day as Russell’s new intern.

    Director:Jonathan Brown
    Writer:Barbara Hall

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  12. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 12 - The Detour
    7.2/10(306 votes)

    #12 - The Detour

    S3:E12

    When Elizabeth and her staff fly to Africa to offer development aid to the continent, they are caught by surprise when the Chinese arrive there first, ready to outmaneuver the U.S. with competing offers of aid. Also, when turbulence on their plane ride to Africa leaves Daisy unnerved, she and Susan Thompson go on a welcome tour of Africa, admiring the beauty of the continent. And, the FBI asks Henry to help investigate a Christian cult member who may have helped build the bomb used in the Illinois coffee shop attack.

    Director:Martha Mitchell
    Writer:Matt Ward

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  13. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 13 - The Beautiful Game
    7.2/10(308 votes)

    #13 - The Beautiful Game

    S3:E13

    When an influential rabbi organizing a symbolic Iran/Israel soccer game is killed, Elizabeth and Jay’s peace treaty plans for the two countries are jeopardized. Also, Elizabeth’s name is floated for a Nobel Peace Prize. Jay’s tireless work on the Iran/Israel peace deal strains his marriage. Daisy makes a connection with new work colleague, Kevin Park.

    Director:Félix Alcalá
    Writer:Joy Gregory

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  14. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 14 - Labor of Love
    6.9/10(295 votes)

    #14 - Labor of Love

    S3:E14

    When the upcoming marriage of two star-crossed lovers from Colombia is in jeopardy, Elizabeth works to reunite the son of the Colombian president and the daughter of the rebel leader, whose union is at the heart of an important peace deal after years of civil war. Also, Henry prepares to send his operative undercover, Jay deals with his tenuous marital situation, and Daisy makes a shocking discovery regarding Kevin.

    Director:Charlotte Brändström
    Writer:Moira Kirland

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  15. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 15 - Break in Diplomacy
    7.4/10(303 votes)

    #15 - Break in Diplomacy

    S3:E15

    Elizabeth is shocked when the Philippines' unconventional new president, Datu Andrada, makes a pass at her during their meeting to discuss his refusal to participate in an Asia-Pacific territory treaty. Also, Elizabeth asks Jay to look into Kevin Park's CIA connections, and Henry fears for his operative who is embedded in the religious cult when he goes radio silent.

    Director:Maggie Greenwald
    Writer:Lyla Oliver

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  16. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 16 - Swept Away
    7.3/10(293 votes)

    #16 - Swept Away

    S3:E16

    Elizabeth’s landmark global climate treaty with more than 200 countries is jeopardized when China threatens to back out due to her meeting with an ailing Dalai Lama. Also, Henry worries about his undercover operative’s safety, and Jay is surprised when Abby serves him with a custody agreement for their daughter.

    Director:Félix Alcalá
    Writer:Alex Cooley

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  17. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 17 - Convergence
    7.5/10(282 votes)

    #17 - Convergence

    S3:E17

    When a computer sting uncovers the possible mole in the CIA arms smuggling ring, Elizabeth’s questioning of the suspect makes her think that a larger, more dangerous force is behind the operation. Also, Henry worries that the doomsday cult is drugging his embedded operative, and Elizabeth and her State Department staff come up with an unorthodox approach to solving black rhino poaching in Namibia.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writer:Alexander Maggio

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  18. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 18 - Good Bones
    7.3/10(285 votes)

    #18 - Good Bones

    S3:E18

    Elizabeth enlists the help of Hollywood star Ashley Whittaker to help sway the president of Kyrgyzstan to end human trafficking in his country, but the added attention could put an American captive at risk. Also, when Henry finds the bomb that’s being held by the doomsday cult, he uncovers information that they could be planning a deadlier attack.

    Director:Rob J. Greenlea
    Writer:Joy Gregory

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  19. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 19 - Global Relief
    7.1/10(278 votes)

    #19 - Global Relief

    S3:E19

    When warring rebel groups threaten Elizabeth’s Somalian food relief efforts and kidnap an American aide there, she reluctantly considers asking a notorious Russian arms dealer for help. Also, Henry is blindsided when he is taken off the VFF doomsday cult case, and Alison and Stevie await their college acceptances.

    Director:Jet Wilkinson
    Writer:Moira Kirland

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  20. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 20 - Extraordinary Hazard
    7.3/10(274 votes)

    #20 - Extraordinary Hazard

    S3:E20

    As the U.S. hunts for the person believed to be behind the CIA arms smuggling case, Elizabeth and her team must work to save Jay when he’s kidnapped in Nice, France, during a fact-finding mission into the suspect. Also, Henry suspects the doomsday cult is planning an attack in Israel, and Jason dupes his parents into giving him money for an expensive calculator when he’s really using it to impress a girl.

    Director:Charlotte Brändström
    Writer:Mark Steilen

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  21. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 21 - The Seventh Floor
    7.8/10(335 votes)

    #21 - The Seventh Floor

    S3:E21

    Elizabeth and her team work to secure the release of an American journalist held hostage in the Sudan.

    Director:Deborah Reinisch
    Writer:Matt Ward

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  22. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 22 - Revelation
    7.5/10(289 votes)

    #22 - Revelation

    S3:E22

    As Elizabeth and President Dalton head to Rome for the G20 Conference, she is concerned for Henry’s safety when he is sent to Israel to intercept the doomsday cult’s bio-weapon before it is deployed. Also, Blake reveals a personal secret to his former colleagues that he meets at the conference, and Elizabeth goes behind Stevie’s back to ask Russell to get her off Harvard Law School’s waiting list.

    Director:Jonathan Brown
    Writer:David Grae

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  23. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 23 - Article 5
    7.3/10(304 votes)

    #23 - Article 5

    S3:E23

    Elizabeth heads to Brussels to seek NATO’s support against Russia when it threatens to invade Bulgaria, but when France refuses to cooperate, it could threaten the alliance’s very existence. Also, Henry’s new government role has him dive into the Russia issue and turn to his former operative, Dmitri Petrov for help, and as Nadine and Mike B’s relationship heats up, Elizabeth finds out information about her old friend that makes her question his loyalties.

    Director:Eric Stoltz
    Writer:Barbara Hall

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Season 3 Ratings Summary

"Sea Change" is the best rated episode of "Madam Secretary" season 3. It scored 7.7/10 based on 385 votes. Directed by Morgan Freeman and written by Barbara Hall, it aired on 10/2/2016. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "The Linchpin".