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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 2 Episode 20 - Ghost Detainee
    0.0/10(366 votes)

    #1 - 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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  2. Madam Secretary Season 2 Episode 21 - Connection Lost
    0.0/10(369 votes)

    #2 - Connection Lost

    S2:E21

    When President Dalton gets word that the world’s most wanted terrorist, Jibral Disah, is hiding in Islamabad, he sends the “Murphy Station” – Henry, Jane and Jose – on a dangerous mission to eliminate the threat. Also, Elizabeth and Henry go to couples therapy.

    Director:Jonathan Brown
    Writer:Joy Gregory

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  3. Madam Secretary Season 2 Episode 23 - Vartius
    0.0/10(433 votes)

    #3 - Vartius

    S2:E23

    When Elizabeth receives shocking news about an important political operative, she navigates a tricky political situation with President Dalton, who she learns may be considering replacing her as Secretary of State. Also, Stevie and Jareth get engaged.

    Director:Eric Stoltz
    Writer:Barbara Hall

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  4. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 14 - Labor of Love
    0.0/10(299 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 15 - Break in Diplomacy
    0.0/10(307 votes)

    #5 - 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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  6. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 16 - Swept Away
    0.0/10(297 votes)

    #6 - 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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  7. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 17 - Convergence
    0.0/10(286 votes)

    #7 - 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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  8. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 19 - Global Relief
    0.0/10(282 votes)

    #8 - 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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  9. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 20 - Extraordinary Hazard
    0.0/10(278 votes)

    #9 - 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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  10. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 21 - The Seventh Floor
    0.0/10(339 votes)

    #10 - 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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  11. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 22 - Revelation
    0.0/10(293 votes)

    #11 - 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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  12. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 23 - Article 5
    0.0/10(308 votes)

    #12 - 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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  13. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 20 - The Things We Get to Say
    0.0/10(313 votes)

    #13 - The Things We Get to Say

    S4:E20

    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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  14. Madam Secretary Season 6 Episode 7 - Accountability
    0.0/10(237 votes)

    #14 - Accountability

    S6:E7

    When U.S. intelligence locates the mastermind behind a foreign country's hack, Elizabeth must decide whether to risk war by extracting him from the country while she also prepares for the White House correspondents' dinner. Also, Jason faces backlash after he confronts his school newspaper over its coverage of Elizabeth.

    Director:Darnell Martin
    Writer:Leland Jay Anderson

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  15. Madam Secretary Season 6 Episode 8 - Ships and Countries
    0.0/10(228 votes)

    #15 - Ships and Countries

    S6:E8

    When an American tech CEO goes missing in a foreign country, Elizabeth navigates complicated diplomatic terrain to get him back without triggering a regional conflict. Also, things get personal when Stevie and Henry testify at House impeachment proceedings.

    Director:Sam Hoffman
    Writer:Joy Gregory

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  16. Madam Secretary Season 6 Episode 9 - Carpe Diem
    0.0/10(388 votes)

    #16 - Carpe Diem

    S6:E9

    Elizabeth faces a national security crisis when a military conflict in international waters spirals to the brink of nuclear confrontation. Also, with the imminent threat of impeachment looming over the McCord administration, Elizabeth and Henry make a wish-list of things to do while she’s still in office.

    Director:Félix Alcalá
    Writer:David Grae

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  17. Madam Secretary Season 6 Episode 10 - Leaving the Station
    0.0/10(475 votes)

    #17 - Leaving the Station

    S6:E10

    President Elizabeth McCord kicks off a new landmark political initiative with help from members of the World Cup Champion U.S. Women’s Soccer team. Also, the McCords overcome last-minute obstacles to pull off a spectacular family celebration.

    Director:Eric Stoltz
    Writer:Barbara Hall

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  18. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 4 - The Dissent Memo
    4.5/10(322 votes)

    #18 - 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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  19. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 8 - The Fourth Estate
    4.5/10(294 votes)

    #19 - The Fourth Estate

    S4:E8

    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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  20. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 10 - Women Transform the World
    4.5/10(309 votes)

    #20 - 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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  21. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 10 - The Race
    4.8/10(313 votes)

    #21 - 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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  22. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 14 - Refuge
    5.0/10(348 votes)

    #22 - 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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  23. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 19 - Thin Ice
    5.2/10(290 votes)

    #23 - 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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  24. Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 18 - Good Bones
    6.0/10(289 votes)

    #24 - 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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  25. Madam Secretary Season 5 Episode 1 - E Pluribus Unum
    6.2/10(561 votes)

    #25 - E Pluribus Unum

    S5:E1

    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
    Writers:David Grae, Barbara Hall

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Ghost Detainee" is the worst rated episode of "Madam Secretary". It scored /10 based on 366 votes. Directed by Charlotte Brändström and written by Moira Kirland, it aired on 4/17/2016. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Connection Lost".