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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!

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

Worst Episodes Summary

"Refuge" is the worst rated episode of "Madam Secretary". It scored 6.5/10 based on 324 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 3/18/2018. This episode scored 0.4 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Labor of Love".

  • Refuge
    6.5/10324 votes
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    #1 - Refuge

    Season 4 Episode 14 - Aired 3/18/2018

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Labor of Love
    6.9/10280 votes
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    #2 - Labor of Love

    Season 3 Episode 14 - Aired 3/5/2017

    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.

    Director: Charlotte Brändström

    Writer: Moira Kirland

  • On the Clock
    7.1/10362 votes
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    #3 - On the Clock

    Season 2 Episode 18 - Aired 3/27/2016

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Global Relief
    7.1/10261 votes
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    #4 - Global Relief

    Season 3 Episode 19 - Aired 4/23/2017

    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

  • The Friendship Game
    7.1/10239 votes
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    #5 - The Friendship Game

    Season 4 Episode 18 - Aired 4/22/2018

    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

  • Spartan Figures
    7.2/10464 votes
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    #6 - Spartan Figures

    Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 4/5/2015

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Detour
    7.2/10288 votes
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    #7 - The Detour

    Season 3 Episode 12 - Aired 1/15/2017

    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.

    Director: Martha Mitchell

    Writer: Matt Ward

  • The Beautiful Game
    7.2/10289 votes
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    #8 - The Beautiful Game

    Season 3 Episode 13 - Aired 1/29/2017

    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; and Daisy makes a connection with new work colleague, Kevin Park.

    Director: Félix Enríquez Alcalá

    Writer: Joy Gregory

  • Extraordinary Hazard
    7.2/10259 votes
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    #9 - Extraordinary Hazard

    Season 3 Episode 20 - Aired 4/30/2017

    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.

    Director: Charlotte Brändström

    Writer: Mark Steilen

  • Shutdown
    7.2/10275 votes
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    #10 - Shutdown

    Season 4 Episode 4 - Aired 10/29/2017

    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 Enríquez Alcalá

    Writer: Joy Gregory

  • Reading the Signs
    7.2/10261 votes
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    #11 - Reading the Signs

    Season 4 Episode 13 - Aired 3/11/2018

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Unnamed
    7.2/10253 votes
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    #12 - The Unnamed

    Season 4 Episode 15 - Aired 3/25/2018

    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 Enríquez Alcalá

    Writer: Joy Gregory

  • Phase Two
    7.2/10244 votes
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    #13 - Phase Two

    Season 4 Episode 17 - Aired 4/8/2018

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Thin Ice
    7.2/10269 votes
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    #14 - Thin Ice

    Season 4 Episode 19 - Aired 4/29/2018

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Call
    7.3/10547 votes
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    #15 - The Call

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 10/26/2014

    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

  • Standoff
    7.3/10490 votes
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    #16 - Standoff

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 1/4/2015

    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.

    Director: Gloria Muzio

    Writer: Joseph C. Muscat

  • Ghost Detainee
    7.3/10341 votes
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    #17 - Ghost Detainee

    Season 2 Episode 20 - Aired 4/17/2016

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Break in Diplomacy
    7.3/10290 votes
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    #18 - Break in Diplomacy

    Season 3 Episode 15 - Aired 3/12/2017

    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.

    Director: Maggie Greenwald

    Writer: Lyla Oliver

  • Swept Away
    7.3/10278 votes
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    #19 - Swept Away

    Season 3 Episode 16 - Aired 3/19/2017

    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 Enríquez Alcalá

    Writer: Alex Cooley

  • Good Bones
    7.3/10269 votes
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    #20 - Good Bones

    Season 3 Episode 18 - Aired 4/9/2017

    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

  • Article 5
    7.3/10288 votes
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    #21 - Article 5

    Season 3 Episode 23 - Aired 5/21/2017

    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

  • Women Transform the World
    7.3/10286 votes
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    #22 - Women Transform the World

    Season 4 Episode 10 - Aired 12/17/2017

    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

  • Pilot
    7.4/10859 votes
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    #23 - Pilot

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 9/21/2014

    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

  • Just Another Normal Day
    7.4/10572 votes
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    #24 - Just Another Normal Day

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/12/2014

    A Chinese student comes between a peace treaty between Japan and China. Stevie and Alison continue to clash.

    Director: Eric Stoltz

    Writer: Barbara Hall

  • The Time Is at Hand
    7.4/10448 votes
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    #25 - The Time Is at Hand

    Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 3/29/2015

    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: N/A