The Best Episodes of Madam Secretary Season 4

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   7.7/10(349 votes)

   #1 - News Cycle

   S4:E110/8/2017

   When the assistant vice minister of Timor-Leste suddenly dies during a meeting with Elizabeth on the first day of the U.N General Assembly, she becomes suspicious after the president of Timor-Leste ships the body back without a proper investigation. Also, a “fake news” story surfaces claiming Elizabeth is responsible for the minister’s death, and Dmitri returns to work with Henry.

   Director:Morgan Freeman

   Writer:Barbara Hall

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   Director:Morgan Freeman

   Writer:Barbara Hall
2. 

   7.5/10(312 votes)

   #2 - Off the Record

   S4:E210/15/2017

   While Elizabeth is in Libya to help negotiate an end to their civil war, a tragic accident with her chauffeured car embroils her in an urgent situation to secure medical care for a gravely wounded local girl.

   Director:Eric Stoltz

   Writer:David Grae

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   Director:Eric Stoltz

   Writer:David Grae
3. 

   7.6/10(315 votes)

   #3 - The Essentials

   S4:E310/22/2017

   With a government shutdown looming, Elizabeth must think outside the box to help fund an electrical grid in a Syrian refugee camp, before riots break out in the country due to the lack of electricity and water. Also, Henry searches for Dmitri when he goes missing.

   Director:Charlotte Brändström

   Writer:Matt Ward

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   Director:Charlotte Brändström

   Writer:Matt Ward
4. 

   7.2/10(293 votes)

   #4 - Shutdown

   S4:E410/29/2017

   As the government shutdown shows no sign of progress, Secretary of State McCord must negotiate an agreement between the White House and its opposition led by Senator Morejon. Also, Elizabeth is having trouble finding a suitable replacement for the chief of staff position.

   Director:Félix Alcalá

   Writer:Joy Gregory

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   Director:Félix Alcalá

   Writer:Joy Gregory
5. 

   7.5/10(289 votes)

   #5 - Persona Non Grata

   S4:E511/5/2017

   Elizabeth is determined to continue to hold a human trafficking conference in Kyrgyzstan despite the inappropriate actions by a U.S. ambassador. Also, Elizabeth and Henry worry about Alison when she keeps coming home from college.

   Director:John Murray

   Writer:Alexander Maggio

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   Director:John Murray

   Writer:Alexander Maggio
6. 

   7.5/10(286 votes)

   #6 - Loophole

   S4:E611/12/2017

   Henry disagrees with the President and Elizabeth when they refuse to negotiate with terrorists for the release of an American CIA agent who was captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Also, Elizabeth tries to be supportive of Stevie who is going through a difficult time.

   Director:Maggie Greenwald

   Writer:Moira Kirland

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   Director:Maggie Greenwald

   Writer:Moira Kirland
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The 20 BEST Episodes of Madam Secretary
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7. 

   7.4/10(299 votes)

   #7 - North to the Future

   S4:E711/19/2017

   When a Russian dissident flees to the U.S. after contracting smallpox, Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord and retired U.N. Ambassador Kat Sandoval must work with Russian Foreign Minister Konstantin Avdonin to contain the outbreak.

   Director:Sunu Gonera

   Writer:Kristi Korzec

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   Director:Sunu Gonera

   Writer:Kristi Korzec
8. 

   7.4/10(290 votes)

   #8 - The Fourth Estate

   S4:E811/26/2017

   Secretary of State McCord and her staff work with the Mexican government to extradite a Mexican cartel leader to a U.S. prison in an effort to diminish the opioid crisis. But after he escapes during transport and a journalist who secured a gloating interview with him while on the lam is murdered, Elizabeth’s urgency to find the leader escalates.

   Director:Sam Hoffman

   Writer:Matt Chester

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   Director:Sam Hoffman

   Writer:Matt Chester
9. 

   7.6/10(296 votes)

   #9 - Minefield

   S4:E912/10/2017

   Secretary of State McCord reluctantly agrees to host a holiday party in the hopes of persuading senators in attendance to pass a treaty that requires countries to destroy landmines. Also, Henry tries to find evidence that the Senate Majority Leader exchanged information with the Russians.

   Director:Rob J. Greenlea

   Writer:Matt Ward

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   Director:Rob J. Greenlea

   Writer:Matt Ward
10. 

    7.3/10(305 votes)

    #10 - Women Transform the World

    S4:E1012/17/2017

    Secretary of State McCord struggles with the realization that she may need to advise the Afghan government that a compromise with the Taliban may be better than a war with them. Also, Henry uses Dmitri as bait to convince a Russian spy to help the U.S., and Daisy returns from maternity leave and decides to finally tell Joe’s mother about the baby.

    Director:Eric Stoltz

    Writer:Lyla Oliver

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    Director:Eric Stoltz

    Writer:Lyla Oliver
11. 

    7.7/10(316 votes)

    #11 - Mitya

    S4:E111/7/2018

    When Vice President Hurst feels threatened that Secretary of State McCord is vying to be the next president, she attempts to set Elizabeth up for failure by promising that Americans will continue to be able to adopt Russian orphans, despite the potential ban by Russia’s president. Also, Elizabeth and Henry find out Stevie is dating Dmitri after he is followed by a Russian assassin.

    Director:Geoffrey Arend

    Writer:Alexander Maggio

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    Director:Geoffrey Arend

    Writer:Alexander Maggio
12. 

    7.9/10(384 votes)

    #12 - Sound and Fury

    S4:E121/14/2018

    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

    Writers:David Grae, Barbara Hall

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    Director:Deborah Reinisch

    Writers:David Grae, Barbara Hall
13. 

    7.2/10(280 votes)

    #13 - Reading the Signs

    S4:E133/11/2018

    Elizabeth seeks creative solutions when the president of Sri Lanka's psychic convinces him to not move forward with a trade agreement with the U.S. Also, Alison grapples with guilt for missing the warning signs after her college roommate attempts suicide, and Henry makes an abrupt career decision.

    Director:Phil Bertelsen

    Writer:Moira Kirland

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    Director:Phil Bertelsen

    Writer:Moira Kirland
14. 

    6.4/10(344 votes)

    #14 - Refuge

    S4:E143/18/2018

    Jay and Kat devise a way to help persecuted foreign LGBTQ citizens escape their country while their U.S. homeland security applications are processed. However, when the country closes its borders, Jay and Kat are forced to change that plan quickly, as it could now threaten their relationship with neighboring allies.

    Director:Eric Stoltz

    Writer:Kristi Korzec

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    Director:Eric Stoltz

    Writer:Kristi Korzec
15. 

    7.1/10(274 votes)

    #15 - The Unnamed

    S4:E153/25/2018

    Elizabeth and the team are caught in an uncertain situation when they are about to award a foreign leader with the Medal of Freedom but learn he may have known that a minority group in his country is being persecuted. Also, President Dalton doubts his ability to return to office after being cleared by his doctor, and a past family grievance is brought to light when Henry’s sister pays a visit.

    Director:Félix Alcalá

    Writer:Joy Gregory

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    Director:Félix Alcalá

    Writer:Joy Gregory
16. 

    7.5/10(277 votes)

    #16 - My Funny Valentine

    S4:E164/1/2018

    As the 20th anniversary of the American embassy bombing in Mali approaches, emotions run high among the State Department staff, who had personal connections to lives lost that day, including Elizabeth, who must decide if the U.S. should lift sanctions against the country deemed responsible. Also, Henry tries to help Jason break up with Piper.

    Director:Rob J. Greenlea

    Writer:Matt Ward

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    Director:Rob J. Greenlea

    Writer:Matt Ward
17. 

    7.2/10(260 votes)

    #17 - Phase Two

    S4:E174/8/2018

    Senator Morejon puts phase two of Elizabeth’s U.S./Iran arms deal in jeopardy when he asserts that Iran funneled money from phase one of the deal to fund a recent bombing that killed an American citizen. Also, Henry mulls over the option of becoming the chairman of the new military ethics department at the National War College.

    Director:Martha Mitchell

    Writer:Leland Jay Anderson

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    Director:Martha Mitchell

    Writer:Leland Jay Anderson
18. 

    7.1/10(255 votes)

    #18 - The Friendship Game

    S4:E184/22/2018

    Elizabeth’s negotiations for a security agreement combatting gang violence in South America becomes complicated when she attempts to free an American recently kidnapped there.

    Director:Sam Hoffman

    Writer:Lyla Oliver

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    Director:Sam Hoffman

    Writer:Lyla Oliver
19. 

    7.2/10(287 votes)

    #19 - Thin Ice

    S4:E194/29/2018

    Elizabeth is attending a summit in Montreal to resolve territorial claims of the North Pole when an activist group detonates a bomb and she can’t locate Jason and Piper. Also, things take a turn for the worse when Elizabeth learns that Russia was involved in the bombing, and Henry helps one of his students work through a difficult decision.

    Director:Félix Alcalá

    Writers:Moira Kirland, Alexander Maggio

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    Director:Félix Alcalá

    Writers:Moira Kirland, Alexander Maggio
20. 

    8.1/10(311 votes)

    #20 - The Things We Get to Say

    S4:E205/6/2018

    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

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    Director:Sunu Gonera

    Writer:Joy Gregory
21. 

    7.4/10(286 votes)

    #21 - Protocol

    S4:E215/13/2018

    When terrorists threaten to cause a flood in the Middle East that could kill millions of people, Elizabeth’s hopes of getting a neighboring country to close the dam fade after the government suddenly goes dark during a coup. Also, Stevie is tasked with finding Russell an activity that will help manage his stress.

    Director:Charlotte Brändström

    Writer:Matt Ward

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    Director:Charlotte Brändström

    Writer:Matt Ward
22. 

    8.4/10(429 votes)

    #22 - Night Watch

    S4:E225/20/2018

    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:Rob J. Greenlea

    Writers:David Grae, Barbara Hall

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    Director:Rob J. Greenlea

    Writers:David Grae, Barbara Hall