7.8/10506 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
7.8/10438 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
7.6/10435 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
8.0/10452 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
7.9/10400 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
7.7/10408 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
7.7/10387 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
7.8/10371 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
7.1/10497 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
7.3/10377 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
7.5/10364 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
7.2/10373 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
7.3/10356 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
7.5/10365 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
7.7/10351 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
7.9/10361 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
8.3/10451 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
7.0/10403 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
7.6/10343 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
7.8/10361 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
7.7/10400 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
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...
Genre:Drama
Network:ABC
Season 5 Ratings Summary
"Heavy is the Head" is the best rated episode of "Scandal" season 5. It scored 7.8/10 based on 506 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 9/24/2015. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "Yes".