The BEST episodes of Scandal (2012)

Every episode of Scandal (2012) ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Scandal (2012)!

A former media relations consultant to the President, Olivia Pope dedicates her life to protecting and defending the public images of our nation's elite. After leaving the White House, the power consultant opened her own firm, hoping to start a new chapter -- both professionally and personally -- but she can't seem to completely cut ties with her past. Slowly it becomes apparent that her staff, who specialize in fixing the lives of other people, can't quite fix the ones closest at hand -- their own.

Last Updated: 3/5/2024Network: ABC (US)Status: Ended
Share:
Transfer of Power
star
8.14
1473 votes

#1 - Transfer of Power

Season 6 - Episode 16 - Aired 5/18/2017

As Mellie is being sworn in, the Gladiators find out that there is a traitor standing on the dais and Olivia works to find out who it is.

Directors: Tony Goldwyn
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
A Traitor Among Us
star
8.13
1723 votes

#2 - 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.

Directors: Tom Verica
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Dead in the Water
star
8.06
1748 votes

#3 - 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.

Directors: Nicole Rubio
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Survival of the Fittest
star
8.05
1850 votes

#4 - 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.

Directors: Tom Verica
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Price of Free and Fair Elections
star
8.04
1158 votes

#5 - The Price of Free and Fair Elections

Season 3 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/17/2014

Election Day has arrived and nothing is off limits as the candidates try to capture votes. Meanwhile, Olivia tries to understand Maya's motives and Charlie makes a very surprising move.

Directors: Tom Verica
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Fluffer
star
8.03
1274 votes

#6 - The Fluffer

Season 3 - Episode 16 - Aired 4/3/2014

Abby steps in as Olivia’s proxy and takes on duties at the White House. Meanwhile, the team continues to investigate B613, and someone throws a wrench in Reston’s presidential campaign.

Directors: Jeanott Szwarc
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
YOLO
star
8.02
1402 votes

#7 - YOLO

Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/5/2013

As the team gets closer to the truth, loyalties are tested and relationships are pushed to the limit. Meanwhile, Cyrus has to deal with his own crisis and he realizes that he may have gone too far.

Directors: Oliver Bokelberg
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Flesh and Blood
star
8.01
1210 votes

#8 - Flesh and Blood

Season 3 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/10/2014

A security breach calls for an all hands on deck situation at OPA. Fitz’s re-election campaign becomes stalled and he considers going against Olivia’s advice. Meanwhile, Adnan and Maya continue to plot their next move.

Directors: Debbie Allen
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Vermont Is for Lovers, Too
star
8.01
1318 votes

#9 - Vermont Is for Lovers, Too

Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/21/2013

Olivia and the team try to handle both uncovering the truth behind Operation Remington, while also managing a potential crisis with the Josie Marcus campaign. Meanwhile, Quinn falls further down the rabbit hole with Charlie, and Cyrus creates a plan to take down Sally, but doesn't think of the possible harm he could inflict on himself.

Directors: Ava DuVernay
Writer: Mark Wilding
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Box
star
7.98
1608 votes

#10 - 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.

Directors: Steph Green
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
No Sun on the Horizon
star
7.98
1178 votes

#11 - No Sun on the Horizon

Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 3/13/2014

A well prepared Fitz gets thrown a curve ball during the first presidential debate, Olivia receives shocking news and is forced to make an extremely difficult decision, and the gladiators work with a powerful CEO accused of murder. Meanwhile, one dirty little secret could lead to deadly consequences.

Directors: Randy Zisk
Writer: Zahir McGhee
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Standing in the Sun
star
7.97
782 votes

#12 - Standing in the Sun

Season 7 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/12/2018

Cyrus and Jake’s mission to take the White House reaches a new level of deceit when Liv is called to testify against Mellie.

Directors: Jann Turner
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
star
7.96
1238 votes

#13 - Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Season 3 - Episode 14 - Aired 3/20/2014

Sally sets a meeting with the NRA which sends the White House into a tailspin. Olivia and Huck come to shocking realizations and a surprising person asks for help from Pope and Associates.

Directors: Paul McCrane
Writer: Mark Fish
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
A Door Marked Exit
star
7.95
1406 votes

#14 - A Door Marked Exit

Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/12/2013

Now that the truth is out there, things will never be the same and everyone will have to face the consequences of their actions.

Directors: Tom Verica
Writer: Zahir McGhee
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington
star
7.95
1297 votes

#15 - Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington

Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/17/2013

A Midwestern mom hires Pope & Associates under mysterious conditions that lead to a very dangerous situation. Meanwhile, Fitz and Mellie admit their true feelings for each other.

Directors: Jeannot Szwarc
Writer: Matt Byrne
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Trojan Horse
star
7.93
1650 votes

#16 - 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.

Directors: Jann Turner
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Mama Said Knock You Out
star
7.92
1141 votes

#17 - Mama Said Knock You Out

Season 3 - Episode 15 - Aired 3/27/2014

The Grant children prepare for a live sit down television interview with Fitz and Mellie at the White House. Meanwhile, Adnan looks to Harrison for help and Rowan warns Olivia to stop investigating B613.

Directors: Tony Goldwyn
Writer: Zahir McGhee
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Mercy
star
7.91
1661 votes

#18 - 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.

Directors: Nzingha Stewart
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Head Games
star
7.91
1490 votes

#19 - 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.

Directors: Zetna Fuentes
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Thwack!
star
7.90
1268 votes

#20 - Thwack!

Season 5 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/7/2016

The election is in full swing, which means everyone is doing their best to take down their opponents, but when a potential leak threatens several candidates, they have to work together to keep their secrets safe. Boundaries are pushed and lines are crossed as we find out just how far some people are willing to go to protect themselves.

Directors: Tony Goldwyn
Writer: Zahir McGhee
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
White Hat's Back On
star
7.90
1317 votes

#21 - White Hat's Back On

Season 2 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/16/2013

With the identity of the mole now closer than ever, Olivia and her team are in very real danger. Meanwhile, the latest White House scandal pushes Cyrus to his limits.

Directors: Tom Verica
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
It's Handled
star
7.90
1467 votes

#22 - It's Handled

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/3/2013

With Olivia's name out there as the President's mistress, both the White House and Pope & Associates face their biggest scandal to date, and a surprise allegiance is formed in order to get things handled. Meanwhile, Olivia's father, Rowan, will stop at nothing to carry out his orders and no one, including Olivia, can stand in his way.

Directors: Tom Verica
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
That's My Girl
star
7.89
1303 votes

#23 - That's My Girl

Season 5 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/12/2016

As each presidential candidate gets ready to announce their running mate, Olivia finds herself in a potentially dire situation. Meanwhile, Cyrus is presented with damaging information that could alter the presidential race entirely.

Directors: Tom Verica
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Crash and Burn
star
7.88
1415 votes

#24 - Crash and Burn

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 5/3/2012

After a commercial plane crashes, taking the lives of all onboard, Olivia Pope and her "gladiators-in-suits" must defend the pilot from media and airline accusations; meanwhile, when Amanda Tanner goes missing, Huck calls upon his dark past to find her whereabouts, and Fitz seeks the help of the Vice President in order to pass key legislation despite their icy relationship.

Directors: Steve Robin
Writer: Mark Wilding
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
A Stomach for Blood
star
7.88
1677 votes

#25 - 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.

Directors: Oliver Bokelberg
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV