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 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.
Lowest Rated Episodes Summary
The worst episode of "Scandal" is "The Decision", rated 6.1/10 from 501 user votes. It was directed by Sharat Raju and written by Johanna Lee. "The Decision" aired on 4/13/2017 and is rated 0.1 point(s) lower than the second lowest rated, "Over a Cliff".
6.1/10 501 votes#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
6.2/10 543 votes#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
7.0/10 401 votes#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
7.0/10 347 votes#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
7.1/10 494 votes#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
7.1/10 397 votes#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
7.1/10 313 votes#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: Serveriano Canales, Tia Napolitano
7.2/10 369 votes#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
7.2/10 327 votes#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
7.2/10 314 votes#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
7.3/10 1,349 votes#11 - 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
7.3/10 374 votes#12 - 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
7.3/10 353 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
7.3/10 331 votes#14 - 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
7.4/10 353 votes#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
7.4/10 320 votes#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
7.4/10 305 votes#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 Rubio
Writer: Austin Guzman, Ameni Rozsa
7.5/10 453 votes#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
7.5/10 466 votes#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
7.5/10 468 votes#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
7.5/10 361 votes#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
7.5/10 362 votes#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
7.5/10 358 votes#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
7.5/10 373 votes#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
7.6/10 951 votes#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