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The Best Episodes of Scandal

Every episode of Scandal ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Scandal!

Everyone has secrets and Olivia Pope has dedicated her life to protecting and defending the public images of the elite by keeping those secrets under...
Genre:Drama
Network:ABC

Best Episodes Summary

"Happy Birthday, Mr. President" is the best rated episode of "Scandal". It scored 8.7/10 based on 928 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 12/6/2012. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "White Hat's Back On".

  • Happy Birthday, Mr. President
    8.7/10928 votes
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    #1 - Happy Birthday, Mr. President

    Season 2 Episode 8 - Aired 12/6/2012

    A national tragedy forces Olivia to return to work at the White House. Meanwhile, we learn more about the first few days of Fitz's presidency.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • White Hat's Back On
    8.7/10829 votes
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    #2 - White Hat's Back On

    Season 2 Episode 22 - Aired 5/16/2013

    With the identity of the mole now closer than ever, Olivia and her team are in very real danger. Meanwhile, the latest White House scandal pushes Cyrus to his limits.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Price of Free and Fair Elections
    8.7/10666 votes
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    #3 - The Price of Free and Fair Elections

    Season 3 Episode 18 - Aired 4/17/2014

    Election Day has arrived and nothing is off limits as the candidates try to capture votes. Meanwhile, Olivia tries to understand Maya's motives and Charlie makes a very surprising move.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Any Questions?
    8.6/10660 votes
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    #4 - Any Questions?

    Season 2 Episode 21 - Aired 5/9/2013

    The White House is in the middle of its biggest scandal to date and Cyrus is in the eye of the storm. Meanwhile, someone close to Olivia betrays her and the team.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Baby Made a Mess
    8.6/10583 votes
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    #5 - Baby Made a Mess

    Season 4 Episode 7 - Aired 11/6/2014

    Olivia, still unable to believe that Jake is guilty, sets her eyes on Tom for additional information, and when Leo Bergen’s newest client causes a gut wrenching reaction, her associates spring into action. Meanwhile, Huck continues to play with fire, Mellie makes a power move and Elizabeth’s shocking alliance is revealed

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Grant: For the People
    8.5/10916 votes
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    #6 - Grant: For the People

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 5/17/2012

    When Quinn finds herself in a tragic and compromising position, Olivia and the team rush to her side; all the while, a reluctant Cyrus must turn to Olivia when Billy Chambers makes an announcement that shakes Fitz's presidency to its core.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Nobody Likes Babies
    8.5/10748 votes
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    #7 - Nobody Likes Babies

    Season 2 Episode 13 - Aired 2/7/2013

    As David uncovers the truth about the Cytron case, things come to a head for Olivia, Cyrus, Mellie, Hollis and Verna. Backed into a corner, the five conspirators go to extremes and, in some cases, unconscionable lengths to protect themselves and/or the ones they love.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Seven Fifty-Two
    8.5/10770 votes
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    #8 - Seven Fifty-Two

    Season 2 Episode 19 - Aired 4/25/2013

    While Olivia engages in an emotion-filled conversation with Fitz, her team works to help one of their own. Cyrus becomes skeptic towards his husband and Mellie is near to bringing the white house down.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • A Woman Scorned
    8.5/10708 votes
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    #9 - A Woman Scorned

    Season 2 Episode 20 - Aired 5/2/2013

    The team continue their investigation into the mole and make a shocking discovery in the process. Meanwhile Fitz orders Jake to continue to protect Olivia, who is still very much in danger, and back at the White House Mellie's ultimatum forces Cyrus into the role of "fixer."

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • It's Handled
    8.5/10694 votes
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    #10 - It's Handled

    Season 3 Episode 1 - Aired 10/3/2013

    With Olivia's name out there as the President's mistress, both the White House and Pope & Associates face their biggest scandal to date, and a surprise allegiance is formed in order to get things handled. Meanwhile, Olivia's father, Rowan, will stop at nothing to carry out his orders and no one, including Olivia, can stand in his way.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Tom Verica, Shonda Rhimes

  • Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
    8.5/10607 votes
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    #11 - Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

    Season 3 Episode 14 - Aired 3/20/2014

    Sally sets a meeting with the NRA which sends the White House into a tailspin. Olivia and Huck come to shocking realizations and a surprising person asks for help from Pope and Associates.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Where the Sun Don't Shine
    8.5/10566 votes
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    #12 - Where the Sun Don't Shine

    Season 4 Episode 9 - Aired 11/20/2014

    Command is always two steps ahead and everyone in Olivia's life is in danger. Meanwhile, Cyrus is forced to face the consequences of his behavior, and Huck and Quinn finally figure out just what Elizabeth North has been planning, but they might be too late to stop it, on the winter finale.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • One for the Dog
    8.4/10731 votes
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    #13 - One for the Dog

    Season 2 Episode 10 - Aired 1/10/2013

    With Huck being held under the Patriot Act, Olivia and the team get unexpected assistance from an old friend. Meanwhile, Olivia helps Mellie out of a very compromising situation that could affect Fitz's future, and her relationship with Edison reaches a boiling point.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Like Father, Like Daughter
    8.4/10542 votes
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    #14 - Like Father, Like Daughter

    Season 4 Episode 4 - Aired 10/16/2014

    Fitz asks Olivia to shut down a situation that could destroy the Grant family’s reputation. Meanwhile, Rowan calls on an old friend to do his dirty work.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • A Traitor Among Us
    8.4/10461 votes
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    #15 - A Traitor Among Us

    Season 6 Episode 7 - Aired 3/23/2017

    After discovering new information about the assassination of Frankie Vargas, Olivia makes a shocking decision and asks Huck to complete one of the most difficult tasks yet.

    Director: Tom Verica

    Writer: Alison Schapker

  • Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself (I)
    8.4/10486 votes
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    #16 - Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself (I)

    Season 7 Episode 12 - Aired 3/1/2018

    Olivia, in the midst of moving on from the White House and gets an unexpected visitor — criminal defense attorney Annalise Keating, who seeks her help in fast-tracking a judicial reform class action to the United States Supreme Court. However, after Olivia’s recent fall from political grace, it’s going to be more challenging than ever to get the support they need. The crossover continues on How How to Get Away with Murder S04E12 Lahey v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (II).

    Director: Tony Goldwyn

    Writer: Raamla Mohamed

  • The Trail
    8.3/10949 votes
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    #17 - The Trail

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 5/10/2012

    As Gideon investigates Amanda Tanner's past, a series of events from the past reveal the contentious primary race between Fitzgerald Grant and Sally Langston, Olivia's first meeting with Grant on the campaign trail and the formation of the Pope & Associates team.

    Director: Tom Verica

    Writer: Jenna Bans

  • Blown Away
    8.3/10750 votes
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    #18 - Blown Away

    Season 2 Episode 9 - Aired 12/13/2012

    While working in the White House, Olivia helps Vice President Sally Langston; Cyrus stumbles across the truth about James's secret investigation; and one of Olivia's associates struggles to come to terms with a shocking betrayal.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Truth or Consequences
    8.3/10690 votes
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    #19 - Truth or Consequences

    Season 2 Episode 12 - Aired 1/31/2013

    After discovering the truth about the rigged White House election, the "Gladiators in Suits" realize that a quickly unraveling Olivia may not always wear the white hat. Meanwhile, Mellie is forced to take extreme measures to try and reel Fitz in.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Vermont is for Lovers, Too
    8.3/10644 votes
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    #20 - Vermont is for Lovers, Too

    Season 3 Episode 8 - Aired 11/21/2013

    Olivia and the team try to handle both uncovering the truth behind Operation Remington, while also managing a potential crisis with the Josie Marcus campaign. Meanwhile, Quinn falls further down the rabbit hole with Charlie, and Cyrus creates a plan to take down Sally, but doesn't think of the possible harm he could inflict on himself.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • No Sun on the Horizon
    8.3/10537 votes
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    #21 - No Sun on the Horizon

    Season 3 Episode 13 - Aired 3/13/2014

    A well prepared Fitz gets thrown a curve ball during the first presidential debate, Olivia receives shocking news and is forced to make an extremely difficult decision, and the gladiators work with a powerful CEO accused of murder. Meanwhile, one dirty little secret could lead to deadly consequences.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Last Supper
    8.3/10498 votes
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    #22 - The Last Supper

    Season 4 Episode 8 - Aired 11/13/2014

    Fitz and Jake continue to fight over Olivia, but Olivia needs them to focus on the real prize, taking down Command. Meanwhile, Huck longs to connect with his family and Quinn continues tracking Kubiak. Back at the White House, Cyrus’ exploits finally catch up to him, but Elizabeth North's plan is much bigger than anyone ever expected.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Thwack!
    8.3/10452 votes
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    #23 - Thwack!

    Season 5 Episode 17 - Aired 4/7/2016

    The election is in full swing, which means everyone is doing their best to take down their opponents, but when a potential leak threatens several candidates, they have to work together to keep their secrets safe. Boundaries are pushed and lines are crossed as we find out just how far some people are willing to go to protect themselves.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Dead in the Water
    8.3/10490 votes
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    #24 - Dead in the Water

    Season 6 Episode 9 - Aired 4/6/2017

    It’s a race against the clock when Olivia and OPA’s investigation into the conspiracy puts one of their own in grave danger.

    Director: Nicole Cummins-Rubio

    Writer: Michelle Lirtzman

  • Standing in the Sun
    8.3/10326 votes
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    #25 - Standing in the Sun

    Season 7 Episode 17 - Aired 4/12/2018

    Cyrus and Jake’s mission to take the White House reaches a new level of deceit when Liv is called to testify against Mellie.

    Director: Jann Turner

    Writer: Matt Byrne, Mark Fish