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The Worst Episodes of Madam Secretary

Every episode of Madam Secretary ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Madam Secretary!

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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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  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 14 - Refuge
    6.4/10(344 votes)

    #1 - Refuge

    S4:E14

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

    #2 - 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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  3. Madam Secretary Season 2 Episode 18 - On the Clock
    7.1/10(385 votes)

    #3 - On the Clock

    S2:E18

    As Elizabeth holds peace talks between the prime ministers of India and Pakistan, a mysterious plane crash tied to both countries causes the three parties to reevaluate the deal. Also, in an attempt to help the NSA locate the terrorist Jibral Disah, Henry approaches a former teacher of one of Disah’s wives for information, and Elizabeth withstands a grueling interview with Jane Pauley.

    Director:Zetna Fuentes
    Writers:David Grae, Barbara Hall

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

    #4 - 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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  5. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 15 - The Unnamed
    7.1/10(274 votes)

    #5 - The Unnamed

    S4:E15

    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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  6. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 18 - The Friendship Game
    7.1/10(255 votes)

    #6 - The Friendship Game

    S4:E18

    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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  7. Madam Secretary Season 1 Episode 19 - Spartan Figures
    7.2/10(496 votes)

    #7 - Spartan Figures

    S1:E19

    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:Tate Donovan
    Writer:Lyla Oliver

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

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

    #9 - 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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  10. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 4 - Shutdown
    7.2/10(293 votes)

    #10 - Shutdown

    S4:E4

    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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  11. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 13 - Reading the Signs
    7.2/10(280 votes)

    #11 - Reading the Signs

    S4:E13

    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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  12. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 17 - Phase Two
    7.2/10(260 votes)

    #12 - Phase Two

    S4:E17

    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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  13. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 19 - Thin Ice
    7.2/10(287 votes)

    #13 - Thin Ice

    S4:E19

    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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  14. Madam Secretary Season 5 Episode 17 - The Common Defense
    7.2/10(306 votes)

    #14 - The Common Defense

    S5:E17

    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

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  15. Madam Secretary Season 1 Episode 6 - The Call
    7.3/10(584 votes)

    #15 - The Call

    S1:E6

    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

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  16. Madam Secretary Season 1 Episode 12 - Standoff
    7.3/10(525 votes)

    #16 - Standoff

    S1:E12

    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. Also, Elizabeth’s son injures himself while Blake is watching him.

    Director:Gloria Muzio
    Writer:Joseph C. Muscat

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  17. Madam Secretary Season 2 Episode 20 - Ghost Detainee
    7.3/10(362 votes)

    #17 - Ghost Detainee

    S2:E20

    After Elizabeth delivers her first speech to the United Nations General Assembly formally condemning the terrorist group Hizb-al Shahid, she discusses forming a coalition against them with the Russian Foreign Minister. However, the talks create a conflict of interest between Elizabeth and Henry, who is searching for a way to save Dmitri’s ill sister, Talia Petrov, from the Russian government.

    Director:Charlotte Brändström
    Writer:Moira Kirland

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

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

    #19 - 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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  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 23 - Article 5
    7.3/10(304 votes)

    #21 - 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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  22. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 10 - Women Transform the World
    7.3/10(305 votes)

    #22 - Women Transform the World

    S4:E10

    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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  23. Madam Secretary Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.4/10(919 votes)

    #23 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    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

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  24. Madam Secretary Season 1 Episode 4 - Just Another Normal Day
    7.4/10(616 votes)

    #24 - Just Another Normal Day

    S1:E4

    While Elizabeth works to successfully broker a peace treaty between China and Japan, a Chinese student seeking political asylum threatens the deal. Meanwhile, tensions rise at home between Alison and Stevie during Alison's sleepover party.

    Director:Eric Stoltz
    Writers:Tony Phelan, Joan Rater

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  25. Madam Secretary Season 1 Episode 18 - The Time Is at Hand
    7.4/10(479 votes)

    #25 - The Time Is at Hand

    S1:E18

    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:Joy Gregory

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Refuge" is the worst rated episode of "Madam Secretary". It scored 6.4/10 based on 344 votes. Directed by Eric Stoltz and written by Kristi Korzec, it aired on 3/18/2018. This episode scored 0.5 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Labor of Love".