7.4/10524 votes#1 - E Pluribus Unum
Season 5 Episode 1 - Aired 10/7/2018
In the aftermath of a deadly attack on the White House, Elizabeth tries to keep a major nuclear disarmament deal from falling apart while a manhunt for the attackers brings D.C. to a halt. For advice, Elizabeth turns to former secretaries of state Madeleine Albright, Hillary Clinton and Colin Powell.
Director: Eric Stoltz
Writer: David Grae, Barbara Hall
7.5/10274 votes#2 - The Chaos Game
Season 5 Episode 2 - Aired 10/14/2018
When Elizabeth discovers that the White House attackers had support from overseas, she tries to hunt down those responsible without starting a war. Also, Henry comes face to face with one of the attackers.
Director: Félix Enríquez Alcalá
Writer: Joy Gregory
7.9/10290 votes#3 - 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
7.7/10262 votes#4 - Requiem
Season 5 Episode 4 - Aired 10/28/2018
When the remains of U.S. soldiers who served in World War II are uncovered in Southeast Asia, Elizabeth’s hopes of bringing them home quickly fade when a stubborn leader stands in her way. Also, Henry and Stevie find themselves publicly targeted by a restaurant owner who is angry about Elizabeth’s policies, and Alison volunteers for a local congressional campaign.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.7/10254 votes#5 - Ghosts
Season 5 Episode 5 - Aired 11/4/2018
Henry finds himself at the center of an international incident, when he comes to the aid of an ex-girlfriend at a religious freedom conference in Thailand, after she is imprisoned for condemning the monarchy. Also, Elizabeth helps Jason navigate the pressure of preparing for college.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.5/10290 votes#6 - Eyjafjallajökull
Season 5 Episode 6 - Aired 11/11/2018
When the eruption of an Icelandic volcano strands Elizabeth at an airport in Ireland with the Turkish foreign minister, she tries to broker a deal with him to save the lives of thousands of Syrian refugees. Also, Henry gives advice to Alison about an awkward topic.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.5/10243 votes#7 - Baby Steps
Season 5 Episode 7 - Aired 11/18/2018
Vice President Teresa Hurst asks Elizabeth for help when a surrogate carrying her future grandchild is arrested in Laos for human trafficking. Also, Henry tries to protect Stevie from danger when he suspects that she’s being followed by a Russian operative, and Blake deals with the demanding and costly instructions of a delegation of Japanese gardeners.
Director: Kevin Dowling
Writer: Kristi Korzec
7.6/10241 votes#8 - The Courage to Continue
Season 5 Episode 8 - Aired 11/25/2018
When Haiti’s democracy is threatened by a president who refuses to step down after losing the election, Elizabeth tries to solve the problem without resorting to military action. Also, Blake has one week to find a new job before Elizabeth fires him as her assistant.
Director: Sam Hoffman
Writer: Matt Chester
7.6/10241 votes#9 - Winter Garden
Season 5 Episode 9 - Aired 12/9/2018
Elizabeth and Jay work to keep an historic agreement between Serbia and Kosovo from falling apart, after a mass grave is discovered in Serbia dating back to the Kosovo war. Also, Henry deals with a bizarre encounter with Secretary of Defense Gordon Becker.
Director: Eric Stoltz
Writer: Joy Gregory
7.9/10434 votes#10 - 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
7.9/10378 votes#11 - 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
7.7/10235 votes#12 - Strategic Ambiguity
Season 5 Episode 12 - Aired 1/13/2019
Elizabeth must salvage a deal with a military contractor by supplying fighter jets to Taiwan, but she risks triggering a war with China in the process. Also, Daisy gets frustrated with Matt for failing to help take care of her dog like he promised.
Director: Eric Stoltz
Writer: Matt Ward
7.4/10233 votes#13 - Proxy War
Season 5 Episode 13 - Aired 1/27/2019
When innocent Syrian children are killed by an American-made cluster bomb, Elizabeth races to figure out what went wrong before Russia can use it as an excuse to escalate its military presence in the region. Also, Russell faces a PR nightmare after he gets into a heated argument with a homeless protester.
Director: Félix Enríquez Alcalá
Writer: Keith Eisner
7.8/10237 votes#14 - 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
7.5/10234 votes#15 - Between the Seats
Season 5 Episode 15 - Aired 3/3/2019
Elizabeth visits the Middle East to finalize a deal to bring U.S. troops home, but complications arise when a local woman’s life is threatened by rumors of a romance with one of Elizabeth’s staffers. Also, Henry provides relationship advice to Elizabeth’s brother, Will.
Director: Sam Hoffman
Writer: Lyla Oliver
7.6/10310 votes#16 - The New Normal
Season 5 Episode 16 - Aired 3/17/2019
When a super typhoon threatens a small Pacific island, Elizabeth tries to relocate its population before the storm makes landfall. Also, Henry gives a speech to an evangelical group about climate change.
Director: Félix Enríquez Alcalá
Writer: Alexander Maggio
7.4/10281 votes#17 - The Common Defense
Season 5 Episode 17 - Aired 3/24/2019
While Elizabeth is away on a retreat thinking about her presidential campaign, her staff tries to secure an international agreement to protect citizens who have been displaced due to global warming. Also, the staff works to contain a measles outbreak that threatens the life of Daisy’s daughter, Joanna.
Director: Martha Mitchell
Writer: Kristi Korzec
7.5/10259 votes#18 - Ready
Season 5 Episode 18 - Aired 3/31/2019
A NATO ally carries out a state-sponsored assassination attempt against one of its own citizens, who is also a U.S. resident and old friend of Elizabeth’s. Also, Alison starts dating the son of one of Elizabeth’s political rivals.
Director: Sunu Gonera
Writer: Matt Chester
8.1/10262 votes#19 - 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
8.1/10306 votes#20 - 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
The Best Episodes of Madam Secretary Season 5
Every episode of Madam Secretary Season 5 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Madam Secretary Season 5!
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 5 Ratings Summary
"E Pluribus Unum" is the best rated episode of "Madam Secretary" season 5. It scored 7.4/10 based on 524 votes. Directed by Eric Stoltz and written by David Grae, Barbara Hall, it aired on 10/7/2018. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "The Chaos Game".