The WORST episodes of Madam Secretary
Every episode of Madam Secretary ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Madam Secretary!
A drama about the personal and professional life of a maverick female Secretary of State as she drives international diplomacy, wrangles office politics and balances a complex family life.
#1 - The Time Is at Hand
Season 1 - Episode 18 - Aired 3/29/2015
While Elizabeth seeks a diplomatic solution to a doomsday cult in Bolivia, a congressman attempting to negotiate with its leader is taken hostage. Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Henry meet Stevie’s much older boyfriend.
#2 - The Call
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/26/2014
Elizabeth faces unexpected consequences when she makes a plea to the President to help with a dire situation in Western Africa.
#3 - Just Another Normal Day
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/12/2014
While Elizabeth works to successfully broker a peace treaty between China and Japan, a Chinese student seeking political asylum threatens the deal. Tensions rise at home between Alison and Stevie during Alison's sleepover party.
#4 - Refuge
Season 4 - Episode 14 - Aired 3/18/2018
Jay and Kat devise a way to help persecuted foreign LGBTQ citizens escape their country while their U.S. homeland security applications are processed. However, when the country closes its borders, Jay and Kat are forced to change that plan quickly, as it could now threaten their relationship with neighboring allies.
#5 - Standoff
Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/4/2015
When a Texas state trooper is killed by a Mexican cartel smuggler, Elizabeth arranges an extradition deal before going on vacation to celebrate her 25th wedding anniversary in New York City. However, when political issues arise around the case, she is forced to cut their trip short. Also, Elizabeth’s son injures himself while Blake is watching him.
Watch Now:Apple TV
#7 - The Friendship Game
Season 4 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/22/2018
Elizabeth’s negotiations for a security agreement combatting gang violence in South America becomes complicated when she attempts to free an American recently kidnapped there.
#8 - Passage
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/2/2014
When Elizabeth takes Alison with her to India on her first state department trip abroad, she’s thrown into crisis mode when a massive earthquake hits that causes an explosion at an American-owned factory, and she’s separated from Alison during the chaos.
#9 - Spartan Figures
Season 1 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/5/2015
Elizabeth and President Dalton work together to solve the Greek debt crisis, but not everyone at home is happy with the agreement. Meanwhile, Henry mulls over a new job offer, and Stevie reconnects with her childhood friend, the President’s son.
#10 - The Common Defense
Season 5 - Episode 17 - Aired 3/24/2019
While Elizabeth is away on a retreat thinking about her presidential campaign, her staff tries to secure an international agreement to protect citizens who have been displaced due to global warming. Also, the staff works to contain a measles outbreak that threatens the life of Daisy’s daughter, Joanna.
#11 - Game On
Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/30/2014
Elizabeth, Henry and Isabelle work together to find former Secretary of State Vincent Marsh’s secret bank account, but soon uncover that one of Elizabeth’s staff members already has access to it.
#12 - Shutdown
Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/29/2017
As the government shutdown shows no sign of progress, Secretary of State McCord must negotiate an agreement between the White House and its opposition led by Senator Morejon. Also, Elizabeth is having trouble finding a suitable replacement for the chief of staff position.
#13 - Chains of Command
Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/11/2015
Elizabeth pushes for the prosecution of a Bahraini diplomat after he is caught holding a maid hostage in his home. Henry's father comes to visit.
#14 - Collateral Damage
Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/23/2014
When the State Department goes on lockdown due to a deranged gunman outside the building, Elizabeth is confined with a delegation from Iraq whose translator threatens to reveal damaging information about her actions while in the CIA. Meanwhile, when Matt is stuck in an office with Daisy’s fiancé, Win, he spills information that he shouldn’t have.
#15 - The Operative
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/5/2014
Elizabeth is confronted by a hostile reporter who threatens to publish confidential documents that were leaked from inside the State Department. Henry is dragged into an international negotiation when his wife uses his job as leverage to broker a deal with Pakistan.
#16 - Loophole
Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/12/2017
Henry disagrees with the President and Elizabeth when they refuse to negotiate with terrorists for the release of an American CIA agent who was captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Also, Elizabeth tries to be supportive of Stevie who is going through a difficult time.
#17 - Need to Know
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/9/2014
When the President approves Henry's reactivation into the NSA, he lies to Elizabeth about his continued involvement in the spy game. Matt and Daisy's antagonism toward one another begins to affect the entire office.
#18 - The Rusalka
Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/18/2015
Elizabeth and President Dalton’s administration are met with hostility while trying to deal with the Russian government. Also, Dmitri is kidnapped and interrogated about being a Russian spy.
#19 - Blame Canada
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/19/2014
When Elizabeth faces the daunting task of negotiating with Iran over their escalating nuclear program, she is determined to deal with the situation in a peaceful manner, despite the President’s position of using military action. Jason has new admiration for his father when he interviews him for a school report.
#20 - The Kill List
Season 1 - Episode 21 - Aired 4/26/2015
As Elizabeth prepares for the arrival of Iranian President Shiraz to sign a nuclear treaty, she uncovers a top secret plot to assassinate him on United States soil. At the same time, she must deal with a massive protest by the Human Rights Campaign in response to Iran’s plans to stone a gay citizen to death. Also, Elizabeth sees a therapist to deal with her PTSD.
Watch Now:Apple TV
#21 - Invasive Species
Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/31/2016
After his father’s death, Henry’s family uncovers shocking secrets that open old wounds for them, including his grieving sister Maureen, who blames Henry for not spending enough time at home. Also, Russell keeps important information from Elizabeth’s team at the State department.
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
#22 - Proxy War
Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/27/2019
When innocent Syrian children are killed by an American-made cluster bomb, Elizabeth races to figure out what went wrong before Russia can use it as an excuse to escalate its military presence in the region. Also, Russell faces a PR nightmare after he gets into a heated argument with a homeless protester.
#23 - Ghost Detainee
Season 2 - Episode 20 - Aired 4/17/2016
After Elizabeth delivers her first speech to the United Nations General Assembly formally condemning the terrorist group Hizb-al Shahid, she discusses forming a coalition against them with the Russian Foreign Minister. However, the talks create a conflict of interest between Elizabeth and Henry, who is searching for a way to save Dmitri’s ill sister, Talia Petrov, from the Russian government.
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
#24 - The Detour
Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/15/2017
When Elizabeth and her staff fly to Africa to offer development aid to the continent, they are caught by surprise when the Chinese arrive there first, ready to outmaneuver the U.S. with competing offers of aid. Also, when turbulence on their plane ride to Africa leaves Daisy unnerved, she and Susan Thompson go on a welcome tour of Africa, admiring the beauty of the continent. And, the FBI asks Henry to help investigate a Christian cult member who may have helped build the bomb used in the Illinois coffee shop attack.
#25 - Winter Garden
Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/9/2018
Elizabeth and Jay work to keep a historic agreement between Serbia and Kosovo from falling apart, after a mass grave is discovered in Serbia dating back to the Kosovo war. Also, Henry deals with a bizarre encounter with Secretary of Defense Gordon Becker.