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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!

Binge this in 13h 12m•Peaking at 8.8/10

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
    Scandal Season 3 Episode 1 - It's Handled
    8.5/10(727 votes)

    #1 - It's Handled

    S3:E1

    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:Unknown
    Writers:Tom Verica, Shonda Rhimes

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  2. Scandal Season 3 Episode 2 - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
    8.2/10(640 votes)

    #2 - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

    S3:E2

    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

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  3. Scandal Season 3 Episode 3 - Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington
    8.2/10(641 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. Scandal Season 3 Episode 4 - Say Hello to My Little Friend
    7.7/10(604 votes)

    #4 - Say Hello to My Little Friend

    S3:E4

    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

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  5. Scandal Season 3 Episode 5 - More Cattle, Less Bull
    8.2/10(606 votes)

    #5 - More Cattle, Less Bull

    S3:E5

    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

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  6. Scandal Season 3 Episode 6 - Icarus
    7.9/10(595 votes)

    #6 - Icarus

    S3:E6

    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:Unknown

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  7. Scandal Season 3 Episode 7 - Everything's Coming up Mellie
    8.2/10(634 votes)

    #7 - Everything's Coming up Mellie

    S3:E7

    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:Unknown

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  8. Scandal Season 3 Episode 8 - Vermont is for Lovers, Too
    8.3/10(677 votes)

    #8 - 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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  9. Scandal Season 3 Episode 9 - YOLO
    8.3/10(626 votes)

    #9 - YOLO

    S3:E9

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Scandal Season 3 Episode 10 - A Door Marked Exit
    8.1/10(598 votes)

    #10 - A Door Marked Exit

    S3:E10

    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:Unknown

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  11. Scandal Season 3 Episode 11 - Ride, Sally, Ride
    7.9/10(536 votes)

    #11 - Ride, Sally, Ride

    S3:E11

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Scandal Season 3 Episode 12 - We Do Not Touch the First Ladies
    8.0/10(527 votes)

    #12 - We Do Not Touch the First Ladies

    S3:E12

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Scandal Season 3 Episode 13 - No Sun on the Horizon
    8.3/10(569 votes)

    #13 - No Sun on the Horizon

    S3:E13

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Matt Byrne

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  14. Scandal Season 3 Episode 14 - Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
    8.6/10(643 votes)

    #14 - Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

    S3:E14

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Scandal Season 3 Episode 15 - Mama Said Knock You Out
    7.9/10(539 votes)

    #15 - Mama Said Knock You Out

    S3:E15

    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

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  16. Scandal Season 3 Episode 16 - The Fluffer
    8.2/10(541 votes)

    #16 - The Fluffer

    S3:E16

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Scandal Season 3 Episode 17 - Flesh and Blood
    8.3/10(537 votes)

    #17 - Flesh and Blood

    S3:E17

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Scandal Season 3 Episode 18 - The Price of Free and Fair Elections
    8.8/10(700 votes)

    #18 - 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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Season 3 Ratings Summary

"It's Handled" is the best rated episode of "Scandal" season 3. It scored 8.5/10 based on 727 votes. Directed by Unknown 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".