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The Worst Episodes of Scandal

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

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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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Scandal Season 7 Episode 18 - Over a Cliff
    6.1/10(574 votes)

    #1 - Over a Cliff

    S7:E18

    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

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  2. Scandal Season 6 Episode 10 - The Decision
    6.2/10(523 votes)

    #2 - The Decision

    S6:E10

    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

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  3. Scandal Season 5 Episode 18 - Till Death Do Us Part
    7.0/10(421 votes)

    #3 - Till Death Do Us Part

    S5:E18

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Scandal Season 7 Episode 3 - Day 101
    7.0/10(365 votes)

    #4 - Day 101

    S7:E3

    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

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  5. Scandal Season 5 Episode 9 - Baby, It's Cold Outside
    7.1/10(519 votes)

    #5 - Baby, It's Cold Outside

    S5:E9

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Scandal Season 7 Episode 1 - Watch Me
    7.1/10(414 votes)

    #6 - Watch Me

    S7:E1

    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

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  7. Scandal Season 7 Episode 5 - Adventures in Babysitting
    7.1/10(327 votes)

    #7 - Adventures in Babysitting

    S7:E5

    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
    Writers:Severiano Canales, Tia Napolitano

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  8. Scandal Season 7 Episode 8 - Robin
    7.2/10(343 votes)

    #8 - Robin

    S7:E8

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Scandal Season 7 Episode 9 - Good People
    7.2/10(332 votes)

    #9 - Good People

    S7:E9

    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
    Writers:Shonda Rhimes, Jess Brownell, Nicholas Nardini

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  10. Scandal Season 5 Episode 10 - It's Hard Out Here for a General
    7.3/10(390 votes)

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

    S5:E10

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Scandal Season 5 Episode 12 - Wild Card
    7.3/10(386 votes)

    #11 - Wild Card

    S5:E12

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Scandal Season 5 Episode 13 - The Fish Rots from the Head
    7.3/10(369 votes)

    #12 - The Fish Rots from the Head

    S5:E13

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Scandal Season 6 Episode 15 - Tick Tock
    7.3/10(333 votes)

    #13 - Tick Tock

    S6:E15

    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
    Writers:Zahir McGhee, Michelle Lirtzman

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  14. Scandal Season 1 Episode 1 - Sweet Baby
    7.4/10(1433 votes)

    #14 - Sweet Baby

    S1:E1

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Scandal Season 6 Episode 5 - They All Bow Down
    7.4/10(371 votes)

    #15 - They All Bow Down

    S6:E5

    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

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  16. Scandal Season 7 Episode 2 - Pressing the Flesh
    7.4/10(346 votes)

    #16 - Pressing the Flesh

    S7:E2

    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

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  17. Scandal Season 7 Episode 4 - Lost Girls
    7.4/10(316 votes)

    #17 - Lost Girls

    S7:E4

    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
    Writers:Ameni Rozsa, Austin Guzman

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  18. Scandal Season 5 Episode 11 - The Candidate
    7.5/10(378 votes)

    #18 - The Candidate

    S5:E11

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Scandal Season 5 Episode 14 - I See You
    7.5/10(379 votes)

    #19 - I See You

    S5:E14

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Scandal Season 6 Episode 2 - Hardball
    7.5/10(378 votes)

    #20 - Hardball

    S6:E2

    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

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  21. Scandal Season 6 Episode 3 - Fates Worse than Death
    7.5/10(393 votes)

    #21 - Fates Worse than Death

    S6:E3

    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

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  22. Scandal Season 1 Episode 2 - Dirty Little Secrets
    7.6/10(1008 votes)

    #22 - Dirty Little Secrets

    S1:E2

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Scandal Season 4 Episode 3 - Inside the Bubble
    7.6/10(523 votes)

    #23 - Inside the Bubble

    S4:E3

    An old friend returns for help after her daughter goes missing, Cyrus has an awkward run in during a business breakfast, and Jake uses his connections to get some answers. Meanwhile, Mellie becomes obsessed with a national news story and David goes to great lengths to prove himself.

    Director:Allison Liddi-Brown
    Writers:Heather Mitchell, Matt Byrne

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  24. Scandal Season 4 Episode 5 - The Key
    7.6/10(483 votes)

    #24 - The Key

    S4:E5

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Scandal Season 4 Episode 12 - Gladiators Don't Run
    7.6/10(513 votes)

    #25 - Gladiators Don't Run

    S4:E12

    As the gladiators watch from a far, countries around the world begin to bid on Olivia Pope. Meanwhile, Andrew and Fitz go toe to toe.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Over a Cliff" is the worst rated episode of "Scandal". It scored 6.1/10 based on 574 votes. Directed by Tom Verica and written by Shonda Rhimes, it aired on 4/19/2018. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "The Decision".