8.1/10470 votes#1 - Survival of the Fittest
Season 6 Episode 1 - Aired 1/26/2017
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
7.5/10360 votes#2 - Hardball
Season 6 Episode 2 - Aired 2/2/2017
After a tight race and shocking conclusion to the election, flashbacks reveal what happened on the campaign trail and just how far Olivia was willing to go to win. Meanwhile, Fitz and Abby are faced with an unprecedented national crisis, and the gladiators are determined to get answers.
Director: Allison Liddi-Brown
Writer: Matt Byrne
7.5/10375 votes#3 - Fates Worse than Death
Season 6 Episode 3 - Aired 2/9/2017
In the midst of a national crisis, Cyrus’s fate is sealed. Meanwhile, Olivia and the gladiators will stop at nothing to get to the truth.
Director: Scott Foley
Writer: Mark Fish
7.7/10395 votes#4 - The Belt
Season 6 Episode 4 - Aired 2/16/2017
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
7.4/10355 votes#5 - They All Bow Down
Season 6 Episode 5 - Aired 3/9/2017
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
7.9/10397 votes#6 - Extinction
Season 6 Episode 6 - Aired 3/16/2017
Rowan is caught by surprise when someone from his past resurfaces, and Olivia has to make a life-changing decision about the campaign. Meanwhile, flashbacks reveal exactly what happened the night of Francisco Vargas’ assassination.
Director: Tony Goldwyn
Writer: Chris Van Dusen
8.4/10461 votes#7 - A Traitor Among Us
Season 6 Episode 7 - Aired 3/23/2017
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
7.7/10396 votes#8 - A Stomach for Blood
Season 6 Episode 8 - Aired 3/30/2017
The events leading up to election night are retold from Abby’s perspective, revealing a formidable thirst for power and the explosive secret she’s been keeping.
Director: Oliver Bokelberg
Writer: Severiano Canales
8.3/10490 votes#9 - Dead in the Water
Season 6 Episode 9 - Aired 4/6/2017
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
6.2/10505 votes#10 - The Decision
Season 6 Episode 10 - Aired 4/13/2017
With the ugly truth behind Frankie's assassination revealed, a torn Olivia wonders how different her life — and the country — would be if she, Mellie and Cyrus had never rigged Fitz's election.
Director: Sharat Raju
Writer: Johanna Lee
7.7/10382 votes#11 - Trojan Horse
Season 6 Episode 11 - Aired 4/20/2017
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
Writer: Jess Brownell, Nicholas Nardini
7.7/10393 votes#12 - Mercy
Season 6 Episode 12 - Aired 4/27/2017
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
Writer: Severiano Canales, Ameni Rozsa
8.0/10366 votes#13 - The Box
Season 6 Episode 13 - Aired 5/4/2017
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
Writer: Raamla Mohamed, Austin Guzman
7.6/10311 votes#14 - Head Games
Season 6 Episode 14 - Aired 5/11/2017
While outgoing President Fitz considers his legacy, the Gladiators question what’s next for OPA, and Jake finally discovers the motivation behind Peus’s and the Mystery Woman’s reign of terror.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.4/10322 votes#15 - Tick Tock
Season 6 Episode 15 - Aired 5/18/2017
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
Writer: Zahir McGhee, Michelle Lirtzman
7.9/10400 votes#16 - Transfer of Power
Season 6 Episode 16 - Aired 5/18/2017
In the final days of his presidency, Fitz uses his power to make some unexpected changes.
Director: Tony Goldwyn
Writer: Matt Byrne, Mark Fish
The Best Episodes of Scandal Season 6
Every episode of Scandal Season 6 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Scandal Season 6!
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 6 Ratings Summary
"Survival of the Fittest" is the best rated episode of "Scandal" season 6. It scored 8.1/10 based on 470 votes. Directed by Tom Verica and written by Shonda Rhimes, it aired on 1/26/2017. This episode is rated 0.6 points higher than the second-best, "Hardball".