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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!

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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 wraps. Pope and her team are at the top of

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Scandal Season 6 Episode 4 - The Belt
    8.8/10(4 votes)

    #1 - The Belt

    S6:E4

    Cyrus faces his ultimate challenge but continues to stop at nothing to prove his innocence. Meanwhile, Olivia and the gladiators uncover shocking new evidence about the night Frankie was shot.

    Director:Tom Verica
    Writer:Paul William Davies

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  2. Scandal Season 7 Episode 17 - Standing in the Sun
    8.8/10(4 votes)

    #2 - Standing in the Sun

    S7:E17

    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
    Writers:Mark Fish, Matt Byrne

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  3. Scandal Season 2 Episode 13 - Nobody Likes Babies
    8.6/10(9 votes)

    #3 - Nobody Likes Babies

    S2:E13

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Scandal Season 6 Episode 1 - Survival of the Fittest
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #4 - Survival of the Fittest

    S6:E1

    The election results for the presidential race between Mellie Grant and Francisco Vargas are announced, and the shocking results lead to an explosive outcome.

    Director:Tom Verica
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  5. Scandal Season 6 Episode 5 - They All Bow Down
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #5 - They All Bow Down

    S6:E5

    Jake and Vanessa's messy relationship poses a threat to the campaign, forcing Olivia to take action. Meanwhile, a game-changing revelation about the conspiracy surrounding Francisco Vargas's assassination is revealed.

    Director:Millicent Shelton
    Writer:Zahir McGhee

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  6. Scandal Season 6 Episode 7 - A Traitor Among Us
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #6 - A Traitor Among Us

    S6:E7

    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

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Scandal

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  7. Scandal Season 6 Episode 9 - Dead in the Water
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #7 - Dead in the Water

    S6:E9

    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

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  8. Scandal Season 6 Episode 11 - Trojan Horse
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #8 - Trojan Horse

    S6:E11

    Olivia and the team are determined to bring down Peus, but as the Electoral College vote nears, the fight for power claims another victim.

    Director:Jann Turner
    Writers:Jess Brownell, Nicholas Nardini

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  9. Scandal Season 6 Episode 12 - Mercy
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #9 - Mercy

    S6:E12

    Just when Peus' iron grip seems inescapable to Olivia and everyone she holds dear, a shocking threat to the White House turns everything on its head.

    Director:Nzingha Stewart
    Writers:Severiano Canales, Ameni Rozsa

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  10. Scandal Season 6 Episode 13 - The Box
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #10 - The Box

    S6:E13

    As the future of the country hangs in the balance, Olivia and Fitz are at odds with Rowan, and Jake employs surprising tactics to manipulate the Mystery Woman.

    Director:Steph Green
    Writers:Austin Guzman, Raamla Mohamed

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  11. Scandal Season 6 Episode 15 - Tick Tock
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #11 - Tick Tock

    S6:E15

    As the clock ticks down to the inauguration of the first female President of the United States, Olivia takes a big risk to ensure Mellie's safety.

    Director:Salli Richardson-Whitfield
    Writers:Zahir McGhee, Michelle Lirtzman

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  12. Scandal Season 6 Episode 16 - Transfer of Power
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #12 - Transfer of Power

    S6:E16

    In the final days of his presidency, Fitz uses his power to make some unexpected changes.

    Director:Tony Goldwyn
    Writers:Mark Fish, Matt Byrne

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  13. Scandal Season 7 Episode 10 - The People v. Olivia Pope
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #13 - The People v. Olivia Pope

    S7:E10

    When Olivia agrees to join Fitz in Vermont for what she thinks will be a relaxing getaway, she is shocked to find that her closest friends have orchestrated a relentless intervention. Back in Washington, Cyrus finally reveals his suspicions to Mellie about Olivia and Jake's extracurricular activities.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Scandal Season 7 Episode 12 - Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself (I)
    8.5/10(6 votes)

    #14 - Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself (I)

    S7:E12

    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

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  15. Scandal Season 7 Episode 13 - Air Force Two
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #15 - Air Force Two

    S7:E13

    When Cyrus and David embark on a trip to Lisbon for the digital piracy summit, their plane is hacked, leaving their friends and colleagues on the ground little time to save them.

    Director:Valerie Weiss
    Writer:Severiano Canales

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  16. Scandal Season 7 Episode 14 - The List
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #16 - The List

    S7:E14

    After Air Force Two's extraordinary safe landing, Cyrus takes his victory lap as America's newest hero, and Mellie demands that the Oval stop at nothing until justice is served. Meanwhile, Liv tries to bridge the gap with the Gladiators by disclosing her theory behind the hijack and Cyrus's true intentions.

    Director:Greg Evans
    Writers:Jess Brownell, Juan Carlos Fernandez

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  17. Scandal Season 7 Episode 16 - People Like Me
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #17 - People Like Me

    S7:E16

    On the heels of her commitment to turn over a new leaf, personal turmoil strikes Olivia once again when Mellie demands that she get rid of Cyrus once and for all.

    Director:Joe Morton
    Writer:Chris Van Dusen

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  18. Scandal Season 2 Episode 19 - Seven Fifty-Two
    8.4/10(9 votes)

    #18 - Seven Fifty-Two

    S2:E19

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Scandal Season 2 Episode 21 - Any Questions?
    8.4/10(9 votes)

    #19 - Any Questions?

    S2:E21

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Matt Byrne

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  20. Scandal Season 2 Episode 22 - White Hat's Back On
    8.4/10(9 votes)

    #20 - White Hat's Back On

    S2:E22

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Scandal Season 3 Episode 8 - Vermont is for Lovers, Too
    8.4/10(10 votes)

    #21 - Vermont is for Lovers, Too

    S3:E8

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Scandal Season 5 Episode 5 - You Got Served
    8.4/10(8 votes)

    #22 - You Got Served

    S5:E5

    Olivia knows she can't handle this latest storm on her own and calls for help from an unexpected source. Meanwhile, Mellie and Cyrus continue to pull strings from the sidelines and Jake is still occupied by a ghost from his past.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Scandal Season 2 Episode 20 - A Woman Scorned
    8.3/10(9 votes)

    #23 - A Woman Scorned

    S2:E20

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Scandal Season 3 Episode 3 - Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington
    8.3/10(9 votes)

    #24 - Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington

    S3:E3

    A Midwestern mom hires Pope & Associates under mysterious conditions that lead to a very dangerous situation. Meanwhile, Fitz and Mellie admit their true feelings for each other.

    Director:Jeannot Szwarc
    Writer:Matt Byrne

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  25. Scandal Season 3 Episode 18 - The Price of Free and Fair Elections
    8.3/10(7 votes)

    #25 - The Price of Free and Fair Elections

    S3:E18

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Belt" is the best rated episode of "Scandal". It scored 8.8/10 based on 4 votes. Directed by Tom Verica and written by Paul William Davies, it aired on 2/16/2017. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Standing in the Sun".