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The Worst Episodes of Scandal

Every episode of Scandal ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Scandal!

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

Worst Episodes Summary

"The Decision" is the worst rated episode of "Scandal". It scored 6.2/10 based on 505 votes. Directed by Sharat Raju and written by Johanna Lee, it aired on 4/13/2017. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Over a Cliff".

  • The Decision
    6.2/10505 votes
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    #1 - 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

  • Over a Cliff
    6.2/10549 votes
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    #2 - Over a Cliff

    Season 7 Episode 18 - Aired 4/19/2018

    With the existence of B613 exposed to the world, the Gladiators make the ultimate sacrifice in order to take down Cyrus and Jake – but how far will they go to get justice?

    Director: Tom Verica

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • Till Death Do Us Part
    7.0/10404 votes
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    #3 - 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

  • Day 101
    7.0/10350 votes
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    #4 - Day 101

    Season 7 Episode 3 - Aired 10/19/2017

    During the first 100 days of Mellie’s presidency, Fitz stays out of the limelight in Vermont where he takes up life as an ordinary citizen for the first time in years. Marcus joins the former POTUS to begin important work on the Fitzgerald Grant III Presidential Library.

    Director: Scott Foley

    Writer: Zahir McGhee

  • Baby, It's Cold Outside
    7.1/10498 votes
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    #5 - 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

  • Watch Me
    7.1/10401 votes
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    #6 - Watch Me

    Season 7 Episode 1 - Aired 10/5/2017

    One hundred days into Mellie’s presidency, Olivia Pope is proving she can run the world; but to avoid an international incident, she may have to make her toughest call yet. Meanwhile, Quinn Perkins & Associates struggle to find their first client.

    Director: Jann Turner

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • Adventures in Babysitting
    7.1/10317 votes
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    #7 - Adventures in Babysitting

    Season 7 Episode 5 - Aired 11/2/2017

    Olivia and Mellie assert their power like never before; Cyrus works on congressional approval to declare war in Bashran; a close watch is kept on President Rashad's niece.

    Director: Oliver Bokelberg

    Writer: Tia Napolitano, Serveriano Canales

  • Wild Card
    7.2/10373 votes
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    #8 - 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

  • Robin
    7.2/10331 votes
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    #9 - Robin

    Season 7 Episode 8 - Aired 1/18/2018

    The fallout from Rowan’s desperate action affects Quinn's loved ones, including a guilt-ridden Olivia.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Good People
    7.2/10319 votes
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    #10 - Good People

    Season 7 Episode 9 - Aired 1/25/2018

    The harrowing events that transpired in Rowan’s basement are revealed, from the moment Quinn was kidnapped to the earth-shattering gunshot that rocked Olivia to her core.

    Director: Nzingha Stewart

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes, Jess Brownell, Nicholas Nardini

  • It's Hard Out Here for a General
    7.3/10378 votes
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    #11 - 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 Fish Rots from the Head
    7.3/10356 votes
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    #12 - 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

  • Pressing the Flesh
    7.3/10333 votes
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    #13 - Pressing the Flesh

    Season 7 Episode 2 - Aired 10/12/2017

    President Mellie Grant hosts a state dinner for President Rashad of Bashran in a first step toward peace in the Middle East, and in case Mellie’s charm alone doesn’t work, Olivia secretly puts Jake to work so that they are armed with a back-up plan. Meanwhile, the team at Quinn Perkins & Associates attends the party in hopes to gain more high-profile clientele.

    Director: Tony Goldwyn

    Writer: Matt Byrne

  • Sweet Baby
    7.4/101,363 votes
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    #14 - Sweet Baby

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 4/5/2012

    Olivia hires Quinn Perkins; On Quinn Perkins' first day, she is given the task of of dealing with a woman's accusation against the President of the United States. Meanwhile, Pope & Associates must prove a decorated war veteran innocent of murder.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • They All Bow Down
    7.4/10355 votes
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    #15 - 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

  • Tick Tock
    7.4/10322 votes
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    #16 - 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

  • Lost Girls
    7.4/10307 votes
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    #17 - Lost Girls

    Season 7 Episode 4 - Aired 10/26/2017

    While Liv is busy running the free world, the team at QPA works with an unexpected client to solve an important case. At the White House, Mellie prepares for the upcoming Nuclear Summit with President Rashad and Prime Minister Nazari.

    Director: Nicole Cummins-Rubio

    Writer: Ameni Rozsa, Austin Guzman

  • The Key
    7.5/10459 votes
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    #18 - The Key

    Season 4 Episode 5 - Aired 10/23/2014

    Olivia and the team continue to investigate Catherine's case, but Olivia is distracted when Jake stops returning her calls. Meanwhile, Cyrus falls deeper into the rabbit hole with Michael, David realizes what it's like to finally be a winner in DC and Fitz seeks answers to Jerry's death.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • It’s Good to Be Kink
    7.5/10470 votes
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    #19 - It’s Good to Be Kink

    Season 4 Episode 16 - Aired 3/19/2015

    Olivia springs into action when she hears of a woman intending to expose sex secrets of some of DC’s most elite. Meanwhile, Elizabeth fears that Mellie’s sister could be detrimental to their political aspirations.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Put a Ring on It
    7.5/10473 votes
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    #20 - Put a Ring on It

    Season 4 Episode 17 - Aired 3/26/2015

    When Michael gets himself in a bad situation, the Gladiators launch into damage control and put pressure on Cyrus to move up the wedding. Meanwhile, David takes the first step in executing his plan to take down B613.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Candidate
    7.5/10365 votes
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    #21 - 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

  • I See You
    7.5/10365 votes
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    #22 - 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

  • Hardball
    7.5/10360 votes
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    #23 - 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

  • Fates Worse than Death
    7.5/10375 votes
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    #24 - 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

  • Dirty Little Secrets
    7.6/10960 votes
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    #25 - Dirty Little Secrets

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 4/12/2012

    Olivia and her team must keep a DC madam's client list under wraps when she comes under investigation, leading to the firm protecting many of DC's most influential. Meanwhile, Quinn must continue to deal with the President's former intern.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A