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The Best Episodes of Scandal Season 3

Every episode of Scandal Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Scandal Season 3!

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

Season 3 Ratings Summary

"It's Handled" is the best rated episode of "Scandal" season 3. It scored 8.5/10 based on 692 votes. Directed by N/A and written by Tom Verica, Shonda Rhimes, it aired on 10/3/2013. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner".

  • It's Handled
    8.5/10692 votes

    #1 - 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

  • Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
    8.2/10605 votes

    #2 - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

    Season 3 Episode 2 - Aired 10/10/2013

    Through flashbacks we learn more about Olivia's estranged relationship with her father. Meanwhile, both the White House and Pope & Associates are still in the middle of cleaning up the very big and very public mess they created.

    Director: Allison Liddi-Brown

    Writer: Heather Mitchell

  • Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington
    8.2/10605 votes

    #3 - Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington

    Season 3 Episode 3 - Aired 10/17/2013

    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

  • Say Hello to My Little Friend
    7.6/10572 votes

    #4 - Say Hello to My Little Friend

    Season 3 Episode 4 - Aired 10/24/2013

    With Pope & Associates still struggling to find clients, the team decides to take on a philandering senator who enjoys taking photos of his not so public areas. Meanwhile, Mellie gets involved in her own scandal with Democratic Congresswoman Josephine Marcus.

    Director: Oliver Bokelberg

    Writer: Mark Fish

  • More Cattle, Less Bull
    8.2/10571 votes

    #5 - More Cattle, Less Bull

    Season 3 Episode 5 - Aired 10/31/2013

    The team investigates Democratic Congresswoman Josie Marcus, while Olivia and Mellie have a surprising run-in during the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Meanwhile, Jake and Huck get closer to the truth about Operation Remington, which could lead to devastating results.

    Director: Randall Zisk

    Writer: Jenna Bans

  • Icarus
    7.9/10563 votes

    #6 - Icarus

    Season 3 Episode 6 - Aired 11/7/2013

    Olivia must make a very important decision that will affect all of her relationships in the White House, and Harrison's allegiance to the Gladiators is tested. Meanwhile, the team continues to prep Josie Marcus while Cyrus and Mellie plot against her.

    Director: Julie Anne Robinson

    Writer: N/A

  • Everything's Coming up Mellie
    8.2/10593 votes

    #7 - Everything's Coming up Mellie

    Season 3 Episode 7 - Aired 11/14/2013

    Mellie is still trying to recover from the public backlash of the last year so she decides to do a hard-hitting news interview. Meanwhile, as Cyrus continues to plot against Sally Langston, we learn how Fitz, Mellie and Cyrus became a team. Back at OPA, Huck continues to push Quinn away, but Quinn's bloodlust could get her into some dangerous situations.

    Director: Michael Katleman

    Writer: N/A

  • Vermont is for Lovers, Too
    8.3/10640 votes

    #8 - 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

  • YOLO
    8.2/10589 votes

    #9 - YOLO

    Season 3 Episode 9 - Aired 12/5/2013

    As the team gets closer to the truth, loyalties are tested and relationships are pushed to the limit. Meanwhile, Cyrus has to deal with his own crisis and he realizes that he may have gone too far.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • A Door Marked Exit
    8.1/10566 votes

    #10 - A Door Marked Exit

    Season 3 Episode 10 - Aired 12/12/2013

    Now that the truth is out there, things will never be the same and everyone will have to face the consequences of their actions.

    Director: Tom Verica

    Writer: N/A

  • Ride, Sally, Ride
    7.8/10504 votes

    #11 - Ride, Sally, Ride

    Season 3 Episode 11 - Aired 2/27/2014

    The White House deals with a bombshell announcement from Sally Langston. Meanwhile, Olivia finds herself in a challenging new role.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • We Do Not Touch the First Ladies
    8.0/10499 votes

    #12 - We Do Not Touch the First Ladies

    Season 3 Episode 12 - Aired 3/6/2014

    Old feelings and jealousies arise at a Presidential event causing Fitz to face a harsh reality. Meanwhile, Quinn tries to prove herself to B613 and Leo Bergen sets up a meeting between Sally and an old friend.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • No Sun on the Horizon
    8.3/10535 votes

    #13 - 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

  • Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
    8.5/10605 votes

    #14 - 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

  • Mama Said Knock You Out
    7.9/10503 votes

    #15 - Mama Said Knock You Out

    Season 3 Episode 15 - Aired 3/27/2014

    The Grant children prepare for a live sit down television interview with Fitz and Mellie at the White House. Meanwhile, Adnan looks to Harrison for help and Rowan warns Olivia to stop investigating B613.

    Director: Tony Goldwyn

    Writer: Zahir McGhee

  • The Fluffer
    8.2/10514 votes

    #16 - The Fluffer

    Season 3 Episode 16 - Aired 4/3/2014

    Abby steps in as Olivia’s proxy and takes on duties at the White House. Meanwhile, the team continues to investigate B613, and someone throws a wrench in Reston’s presidential campaign.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Flesh and Blood
    8.2/10511 votes

    #17 - Flesh and Blood

    Season 3 Episode 17 - Aired 4/10/2014

    A security breach calls for an all hands on deck situation at OPA. Fitz’s re-election campaign becomes stalled and he considers going against Olivia’s advice. Meanwhile, Adnan and Maya continue to plot their next move.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Price of Free and Fair Elections
    8.7/10663 votes

    #18 - 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