Scandal's most iconic episodes are the ones that sparked conversations - about grisly slayings, civil rights, or steamy hookups. As one of Shonda Rhimes' most popular shows, Scandal became a pop-culture sensation with its numerous plot twists and morally complicated heroes. With 124 episodes over seven seasons, it's hard to keep track of the many cliffhangers and character turns. The show's ability to keep viewers on their toes is part of its charm. Scandal draws you in with its messy world, then dazzles with romantic speeches and powerful monologues. Get ready to revisit the episodes that defined the series. Here are the most important ones - vote up your favorites!
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"Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" introduces Jake Ballard, a charismatic figure who becomes a major player in the show.Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (Season 2, Episode 14) appears in Scandal's Most Important Episodes.Jake meets Olivia at a pastry shop and flirts openly. This creates a love triangle that gets shippers excited.
David Rosen wakes up next to a dead girl. Fitz drinks too much. Jake spies on Olivia with a camera hidden in her apartment. This starts the relationship poorly.
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Supreme Court Justice Verna Thornton confesses she ordered President Grant's killing. Fitz visits her. She also tells Fitz that Mellie, Olivia, Cyrus, and others planned the election rigging to help him win.
When she plans to share this information, the president of the United States gently ends her to avoid trouble. Olivia breaks up with her fiancé for Fitz, but he pledges loyalty to Mellie instead. This episode changes everything.
Also ranks #11 on The Best 'Scandal' Episodes, Ranked
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"Everything's Coming Up Mellie" shows two big reveals. First, flashbacks show Mellie was forced to sleep with her father-in-law when newlywed—something she hid from Fitz. Second, Olivia’s mother is alive.
The first reveal shows Mellie's inner life, which is emotional. The second reveal becomes important because Liv’s mom plans to cause chaos.
Also ranks #7 on The Best 'Scandal' Episodes, Ranked
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"The Lawn Chair" isThe Lawn Chair (Season 4, Episode 14) is in Scandal's Most Important Episodes.This police brutality episode shows Olivia handling a situation after an African-American teenager is shot by a policeman four blocks from the White House. The boy’s father arrives with a shotgun demanding justice, and Olivia gets caught right in the middle.
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In the Season 4 premiere, Olivia returns from the beach after Harrison dies. She meets a cold welcome because most of her old contacts are fine without her.
Abby becomes Fitz’s press secretary. Huck works in customer service. Quinn is the only one still around OPA. This episode avoids returning to the old way. Instead, Olivia must rebuild her life, taking back her territory and her people.
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This episode happens right after President Grant is shot at his birthday party. As his life ends, the episode uses flashbacks showing Fitz’s first days in the White House. Olivia appears a lot; the two have intense moments, including steamy Oval Office scenes.
Things fail after the explosion Quinn was blamed for. Olivia quits to figure things out alone. The episode hints Huck might be involved in the shooting, but that turns out not to be true.
Also ranks #1 on The Best 'Scandal' Episodes, Ranked
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The show's pilot introduces Olivia Pope and her Gladiators well. The first scene shows a young brunette storming into a bar, only to learn a date is actually a job interview.Sweet Baby appears in Scandal's Most Important Episodes.Washington fixer. The episode shows great character moments and scandalous reveals as we meet Olivia’s team: Harrison, Huck, Abby, and Stephen (who stays only for Season 1).
Olivia takes Amanda Tanner as a client. Tanner claims she slept with the president, Fitz. Olivia knows this situation well. Fitz enters her space and kisses her in the Oval Office. This soapiness started in episode 1.
Also ranks #6 on The Best 'Scandal' Episodes, Ranked
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This episode builds the rich history between Olivia and Fitz. Flashbacks show Olivia's first meeting with Grant on the campaign trail and the formation of the Olivia Pope & Associates (OPA) team.
Pope and Grant had chemistry from the start. Other people seemed unaware of their secret actions. The episode gets tense. Most people see the first passionate encounter between the president and his campaign aide as the main takeaway.
Also ranks #2 on The Best 'Scandal' Episodes, Ranked
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The Season 3 finale is explosive. This single hour packs much action. After a bombing, Fitz’s son dies from poison. Harrison learns Liv’s dad caused the act, but Papa Pope keeps the information quiet.
Huck meets his family. Fitz wins the election but misses the moment because his child is dead. Olivia rides into the sunset with Jake beside her, ready for a new life.
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After episode 9 reveals Olivia was kidnapped, "Run" The episode shows things from Olivia’s point of view. She is held prisoner and fights to escape. She then sees the conspiracy is much larger than she thought.
This self-contained episode uses Kerry Washington’s great performance. It starts an arc about Olivia being auctioned and Fitz starting a war to save her life. This is wild stuff.ScandalRun (Season 4, Episode 10) thrives on.
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In typical Over a Cliff (Season 7, Episode 18)Scandalfashion, the series finale includes many twists and thrills. After Sally Langston reveals B613's existence, a Senate hearing has main players confess sins and consider jail time.
Olivia, Mellie, and Fitz are in the list. Cyrus kills David Rosen. Papa Pope helps the good guys and admits B613 exists. Jake takes the blame for everything. Olivia then leaves Mellie to chase other goals. The episode closes with two young girls at the White House admiring Olivia’s portrait.
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After learning Olivia’s father runs the secret B613 organization, this episode shows their strained relationship. Olivia and Papa Pope used to eat dinner weekly before she learned about his outside work.
Pope Senior makes Olivia let everyone think Fitz had an affair with Jeannine Locke. The father-daughter bond matters for the show ahead. Knowing about these two helps the story.
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In the Season 6 finale, Olivia controls everything. Mellie becomes president; Olivia becomes chief of staff. Liv reinstates B613 and takes command, convincing Luna Vargas to end her life. Olivia becomes the world's most powerful person, turning her into a villain for the final season.
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Scandal features 'Baby, It's Cold Outside (Season 5, Episode 9)' among its most important episodes.The Season 5 mid-season finale splits the main couple. Olivia tires of being First Lady, especially after seeing Mellie filibuster Planned Parenthood in the Senate. Being second to the president is not enough for the power-hungry Gladiator. Olivia gets an abortion quietly, then fights hard with Fitz upon returning to the White House. They break up; Olivia goes back to her apartment alone.
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In 'The Decision (Season 6, Episode 10)', things happen.Scandal’s 'The Decision (Season 6, Episode 10)' is important.The 100th episode, Olivia thinks about not agreeing to rig the election. The show then shows an alternate reality where she marries Fitz, but their happiness fades. Perhaps they were never meant to be together.
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'Something Borrowed' shows how far Olivia's humanity has dropped since she took command. Liv and her dad talk about dinosaur bones in amusing scenes. The climax hits when he threatens to kill a pregnant Quinn if Olivia does not yield to his demands. She refuses, he leaves, and Olivia just stands there, freaking out.
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After quitting chief of staff, Olivia teaches at a university. Annalise Keating approaches her, asking for help with a class action suit.
This 'Allow Me To Reintroduce Myself (Season 7, Episode 12)' is important.Scandal/How to Get Away with Murder covers 'Allow Me To Reintroduce Myself (Season 7, Episode 12)'.The crossover in this political thriller's final season is a highlight. It lets Olivia and Annalise work together. It also sets up Liv's attempt at a redemption arc.
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This episode matters because it features the infamousMellie eats fried chicken.Give Bellamy Young all the awards. She gives a powerhouse performance. Plot moves little besides Fitz delivering the State of the Union. Mellie’s fried chicken scene will stay remembered as one ofThe State Of The Union (Season 4, Episode 2) appears in Scandal's Most Important Episodes.Scandal’s best moments ever.
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Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Season 3, Episode 14) is a moving episode in Scandal's Most Important Episodes.Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Season 3, Episode 14) is in Scandal's Most Important Episodes.Jake slayed James to keep him quiet. The following scene shows a heartbreaking portrayal of the Cyrus/James relationship and its collapse. This lets us learn more about Cyrus. This change turns Jake from a good guy to a ruthless slayer. It proves what happens in the world ofKiss Kiss Bang Bang (Season 3, Episode 14) is in Scandal's Most Important Episodes.No one is safe in Scandal.
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In this shocking episode, Thwack! (Season 5, Episode 17) appears in Scandal's Most Important Episodes.Thwack! (Season 5, Episode 17) appears in Scandal's Most Important Episodes.In this episode, Andrew Nichols threatens to reveal Fitz went to war to save Olivia. Olitz works to pay him off. Andrew still seems set on letting the truth surface.
Olivia beats him until he cannot breathe. A chair is in a gruesome scene that will likely go down in TV history. This happens the moment the heroine takes off the white hat for good.
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After leaked surveillance photos of Olivia and Fitz appear, the press asks Liv if she is the president’s mistress. She answers "Yes" in aYes (Season 5, Episode 2) features a major plot twist in Scandal's Most Important Episodes.and goosebumps moment that makes her America’s mistress.
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The first half of Season 6 focuses on election night. Frankie Vargas gets shot. This makes the many flashbacks tiresome. Still, this is an importantA Stomach For Blood (Season 6, Episode 8) appears in Scandal's Most Important Episodes.episode because it shows how Abby played into the events. It shows her thirst for power.
All in all, A Stomach For Blood (Season 6, Episode 8) is in Scandal's Most Important Episodes.A Stomach For Blood (Season 6, Episode 8) appears in Scandal's Most Important Episodes.Scandal is about how far people will go for something. Abby is no exception. She is forced to reach into Vargas’s abdomen, making the episode title too direct.
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White Hat's Off is in Scandal's Most Important Episodes.Scandal kicks off a strong second season with an episode about Quinn. Viewers questioned her identity at the end of the first season. Now, we learn her real name is Lindsay Dwyer, and she is accused of slaying seven people, including her ex-boyfriend.
Olivia tries to stop her case. But she arranged for Quinn to disappear after the slaying with Huck's help. The episode makes viewers question Liv's real motives and long-term goals.
Also ranks #16 on The Best 'Scandal' Episodes, Ranked
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