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The Best Episodes of Scandal Season 5

Every episode of Scandal Season 5 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Scandal Season 5!

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 their game when it comes to getting the job done for their clients, but it becomes apparent that these "gladiators in suits," who specialize in fixing the lives of other people, have trouble fixing those closest at hand -- their own.

Genre:Drama
Network:ABC

Season 5 Ratings Summary

The best episode of "Scandal" season 5 is "Heavy is the Head", rated 7.8/10 from 502 user votes. It was directed by N/A and written by N/A. "Heavy is the Head" aired on 9/24/2015 and is rated 0.0 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Yes".

  • Heavy is the Head
    7.8/10 502 votes

    #1 - Heavy is the Head

    Season 5 Episode 1 - Aired 9/24/2015

    Olivia and Fitz are back together again and enjoying every scandalous moment together while Cyrus, Mellie and Huck are all still dealing with the aftermath of helping Command. Meanwhile, when a visit from the Queen of Caldonia and her family turns into a tragedy, Olivia is hired to make sure the Royal family’s private life stays private.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Yes
    7.8/10 434 votes

    #2 - Yes

    Season 5 Episode 2 - Aired 10/1/2015

    The Pope and Associates team dives into a new case that takes Olivia out of D.C. and away from the President. Meanwhile, back at the White House, Fitz is determined to find who’s responsible for causing the latest turn of events, and Abby receives unexpected guidance from a master of damage control as she struggles to catch a break.

    Director: Tony Goldwyn

    Writer: N/A

  • Paris is Burning
    7.6/10 431 votes

    #3 - Paris is Burning

    Season 5 Episode 3 - Aired 10/8/2015

    Olivia and Fitz face some very big consequences and Mellie brings in an old friend to make sure she gets her way. Meanwhile, Abby shows Olivia she is fully capable of handling working at the White House.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Dog-Whistle Politics
    8.0/10 449 votes

    #4 - Dog-Whistle Politics

    Season 5 Episode 4 - Aired 10/15/2015

    Eager to get answers, Jake unexpectedly crosses paths with someone he thought he’d never see again. Meanwhile, Huck and Quinn recruit a familiar face to help smooth over the media storm surrounding Olivia, and Fitz quickly finds out the true cost of mercy when he discovers not everyone fully supports his actions.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • You Got Served
    7.8/10 395 votes

    #5 - You Got Served

    Season 5 Episode 5 - Aired 10/22/2015

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Get Out of Jail, Free
    7.7/10 405 votes

    #6 - Get Out of Jail, Free

    Season 5 Episode 6 - Aired 10/29/2015

    Fitz and Olivia are presented with a shocking plan that might just make all of their troubles go away, and Mellie is put through the ringer when confronted about her troubled marriage. Meanwhile, the Gladiators continue to defend Olivia, and Susan Ross turns to David for advice.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Even the Devil Deserves a Second Chance
    7.7/10 384 votes

    #7 - Even the Devil Deserves a Second Chance

    Season 5 Episode 7 - Aired 11/5/2015

    While Fitz is focused on winning back the American people, he makes a shocking discovery. Meanwhile, OPA takes on a new client, but Olivia seems preoccupied keeping her own secrets, and Elizabeth North sets her sights on a new agenda.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Rasputin
    7.8/10 368 votes

    #8 - Rasputin

    Season 5 Episode 8 - Aired 11/12/2015

    In the midst of Fitz negotiating a historic peace deal, Olivia must rely on her instincts when a guest of the The White House discloses powerful intel. Meanwhile, Jake uses Huck's help to get closer to his target, and Cyrus takes matters into his own hands when he realizes he's been shut out of the inner circle.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Baby, It's Cold Outside
    7.1/10 494 votes

    #9 - Baby, It's Cold Outside

    Season 5 Episode 9 - Aired 11/19/2015

    Olivia feels more frustrated taking on "First Lady" type responsibilities; Mellie proves just how powerful she can be; Jake and Huck continue the hunt for Rowan.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • It's Hard Out Here for a General
    7.3/10 374 votes

    #10 - It's Hard Out Here for a General

    Season 5 Episode 10 - Aired 2/11/2016

    It’s been six months since Olivia and Fitz have broken up, and they are both handling their newfound freedom in very different ways. Meanwhile, the Pope and Associates team take on a case that could lead to a national crisis.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Candidate
    7.5/10 361 votes

    #11 - The Candidate

    Season 5 Episode 11 - Aired 2/18/2016

    Mellie seeks out Olivia’s help but may not be prepared for what that entails, and Liz tries to convince Susan Ross to run for the presidency. Meanwhile, Abby and Cyrus are at odds when a profile piece on Fitz comes into question.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Wild Card
    7.2/10 369 votes

    #12 - Wild Card

    Season 5 Episode 12 - Aired 2/25/2016

    While Fitz is preoccupied with his own interests, Cyrus begins to orchestrate his next master plan, and Elizabeth North uses David to mastermind a plan of her own. Meanwhile, Olivia continues to question what exactly Jake is planning in his new role as head of the NSA.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Fish Rots from the Head
    7.3/10 353 votes

    #13 - The Fish Rots from the Head

    Season 5 Episode 13 - Aired 3/10/2016

    Olivia and the team take on some embattled Secret Service agents. Meanwhile, Abby has her hands full trying to keep Fitz in line, and Jake begins to reveal a few secrets of his own.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • I See You
    7.5/10 362 votes

    #14 - I See You

    Season 5 Episode 14 - Aired 3/17/2016

    The gladiators have to look after themselves as Olivia spies on Jake. Susan and Mellie's campaigns starts to heat up.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Pencils Down
    7.7/10 349 votes

    #15 - Pencils Down

    Season 5 Episode 15 - Aired 3/24/2016

    Mellie manages to make a public gaffe whilst Olivia attempts to fix it. David Rosen looks for advice on dealing with his love triangle with Liz and Susan.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Miseducation of Susan Ross
    7.9/10 357 votes

    #16 - The Miseducation of Susan Ross

    Season 5 Episode 16 - Aired 3/31/2016

    Following the first Republican debate, Olivia is presented with damaging information about an opponent and enlists the Gladiators to verify its authenticity. Meanwhile, David deals with fallout from his dating life, and Cyrus continues to work on his own political agenda.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Thwack!
    8.4/10 446 votes

    #17 - 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

  • Till Death Do Us Part
    7.0/10 401 votes

    #18 - Till Death Do Us Part

    Season 5 Episode 18 - Aired 4/21/2016

    As Olivia deals with the aftermath of what she’s done, she finally finds out what exactly Jake and Rowan are plotting. But with their plans already in motion, Olivia is forced to make a gut-wrenching attempt to try and stop it. Meanwhile, in flashbacks, we learn more about Jake’s past and how he first got involved with B6-13.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Buckle Up
    7.6/10 341 votes

    #19 - Buckle Up

    Season 5 Episode 19 - Aired 4/28/2016

    As Mellie, Susan and Hollis prepare to meet with Florida's governor and vie for her influential endorsement, a spin war between Abby and Olivia threatens to keep their candidates grounded. Meanwhile, Cyrus is faced with a decision that could dramatically alter his future,

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Trump Card
    7.8/10 359 votes

    #20 - Trump Card

    Season 5 Episode 20 - Aired 5/5/2016

    Olivia and Abby have to put their differences aside and work together to try and take Hollis Doyle down. Meanwhile, Edison realizes he may have made a deal with the devil as Rowan and Jake continue to try and pull the strings behind his campaign.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • That's My Girl
    7.7/10 398 votes

    #21 - That's My Girl

    Season 5 Episode 21 - Aired 5/12/2016

    As each presidential candidate gets ready to announce their running mate, Olivia finds herself in a potentially dire situation. Meanwhile, Cyrus is presented with damaging information that could alter the presidential race entirely.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A