Madam Secretary backdrop
Drama•War & Politics

The Best Episodes of Madam Secretary Season 4

Every episode of Madam Secretary Season 4 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Madam Secretary Season 4!

Binge this in 16h 30m•Peaking at 8.4/10

After years away from the CIA, Elizabeth McCord is pulled back into the political arena. The newly appointed Secretary of State is tough, fair, and smart, driving international diplomacy, wrangling office politics, and circumventing protocol

Airs on
CBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons6

All123456

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 22 - Night Watch
    8.4/10(442 votes)

    S4:E22

    Elizabeth and cabinet members brace for the fallout at home and abroad as President Dalton prepares for a retaliatory nuclear attack on a country that has reportedly just launched missiles bound for the U.S.

    Director:Rob J. Greenlea
    Writers:David Grae, Barbara Hall

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 20 - The Things We Get to Say
    8.1/10(318 votes)

    S4:E20

    Elizabeth must watch what she says and does when she deals with a refugee situation while being shadowed by Neal Shin, a newspaper reporter who may use his access to write a tell-all book.

    Director:Sunu Gonera
    Writer:Joy Gregory

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 12 - Sound and Fury
    7.9/10(393 votes)

    S4:E12

    After President Dalton hears about a sonic attack at the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria, he thinks Russia is to blame and uncharacteristically threatens them with military force, leaving his cabinet concerned about his mental status.

    Director:Deborah Reinisch
    Writers:David Grae, Barbara Hall

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 1 - News Cycle
    7.7/10(362 votes)

    S4:E1

    When the assistant vice minister of Timor-Leste suddenly dies during a meeting with Elizabeth on the first day of the U.N General Assembly, she becomes suspicious after the president of Timor-Leste ships the body back without a proper investigation. Also, a “fake news” story surfaces claiming Elizabeth is responsible for the minister’s death, and Dmitri returns to work with Henry.

    Director:Morgan Freeman
    Writer:Barbara Hall

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 11 - Mitya
    7.7/10(325 votes)

    S4:E11

    When Vice President Hurst feels threatened that Secretary of State McCord is vying to be the next president, she attempts to set Elizabeth up for failure by promising that Americans will continue to be able to adopt Russian orphans, despite the potential ban by Russia’s president. Also, Elizabeth and Henry find out Stevie is dating Dmitri after he is followed by a Russian assassin.

    Director:Geoffrey Arend
    Writer:Alexander Maggio

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 2 - Off the Record
    7.6/10(321 votes)

    S4:E2

    While Elizabeth is in Libya to help negotiate an end to their civil war, a tragic accident with her chauffeured car embroils her in an urgent situation to secure medical care for a gravely wounded local girl.

    Director:Eric Stoltz
    Writer:David Grae

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Madam Secretary

    READ
  7. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 3 - The Essentials
    7.6/10(326 votes)

    S4:E3

    With a government shutdown looming, Elizabeth must think outside the box to help fund an electrical grid in a Syrian refugee camp, before riots break out in the country due to the lack of electricity and water. Also, Henry searches for Dmitri when he goes missing.

    Director:Charlotte Brändström
    Writer:Matt Ward

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 5 - Persona Non Grata
    7.6/10(299 votes)

    S4:E5

    Elizabeth is determined to continue to hold a human trafficking conference in Kyrgyzstan despite the inappropriate actions by a U.S. ambassador. Also, Elizabeth and Henry worry about Alison when she keeps coming home from college.

    Director:John Murray
    Writer:Alexander Maggio

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 9 - Minefield
    7.6/10(304 votes)

    S4:E9

    Secretary of State McCord reluctantly agrees to host a holiday party in the hopes of persuading senators in attendance to pass a treaty that requires countries to destroy landmines. Also, Henry tries to find evidence that the Senate Majority Leader exchanged information with the Russians.

    Director:Rob J. Greenlea
    Writer:Matt Ward

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 6 - Loophole
    7.5/10(295 votes)

    S4:E6

    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.

    Director:Maggie Greenwald
    Writer:Moira Kirland

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 16 - My Funny Valentine
    7.5/10(288 votes)

    S4:E16

    As the 20th anniversary of the American embassy bombing in Mali approaches, emotions run high among the State Department staff, who had personal connections to lives lost that day, including Elizabeth, who must decide if the U.S. should lift sanctions against the country deemed responsible. Also, Henry tries to help Jason break up with Piper.

    Director:Rob J. Greenlea
    Writer:Matt Ward

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 21 - Protocol
    7.5/10(292 votes)

    S4:E21

    When terrorists threaten to cause a flood in the Middle East that could kill millions of people, Elizabeth’s hopes of getting a neighboring country to close the dam fade after the government suddenly goes dark during a coup. Also, Stevie is tasked with finding Russell an activity that will help manage his stress.

    Director:Charlotte Brändström
    Writer:Matt Ward

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 8 - The Fourth Estate
    7.4/10(300 votes)

    S4:E8

    Secretary of State McCord and her staff work with the Mexican government to extradite a Mexican cartel leader to a U.S. prison in an effort to diminish the opioid crisis. But after he escapes during transport and a journalist who secured a gloating interview with him while on the lam is murdered, Elizabeth’s urgency to find the leader escalates.

    Director:Sam Hoffman
    Writer:Matt Chester

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 7 - North to the Future
    7.3/10(310 votes)

    S4:E7

    When a Russian dissident flees to the U.S. after contracting smallpox, Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord and retired U.N. Ambassador Kat Sandoval must work with Russian Foreign Minister Konstantin Avdonin to contain the outbreak.

    Director:Sunu Gonera
    Writer:Kristi Korzec

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 10 - Women Transform the World
    7.3/10(315 votes)

    S4:E10

    Secretary of State McCord struggles with the realization that she may need to advise the Afghan government that a compromise with the Taliban may be better than a war with them. Also, Henry uses Dmitri as bait to convince a Russian spy to help the U.S., and Daisy returns from maternity leave and decides to finally tell Joe’s mother about the baby.

    Director:Eric Stoltz
    Writer:Lyla Oliver

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 4 - Shutdown
    7.2/10(303 votes)

    S4:E4

    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.

    Director:Félix Alcalá
    Writer:Joy Gregory

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 13 - Reading the Signs
    7.2/10(289 votes)

    S4:E13

    Elizabeth seeks creative solutions when the president of Sri Lanka's psychic convinces him to not move forward with a trade agreement with the U.S. Also, Alison grapples with guilt for missing the warning signs after her college roommate attempts suicide, and Henry makes an abrupt career decision.

    Director:Phil Bertelsen
    Writer:Moira Kirland

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 17 - Phase Two
    7.2/10(269 votes)

    S4:E17

    Senator Morejon puts phase two of Elizabeth’s U.S./Iran arms deal in jeopardy when he asserts that Iran funneled money from phase one of the deal to fund a recent bombing that killed an American citizen. Also, Henry mulls over the option of becoming the chairman of the new military ethics department at the National War College.

    Director:Martha Mitchell
    Writer:Leland Jay Anderson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 19 - Thin Ice
    7.2/10(295 votes)

    S4:E19

    Elizabeth is attending a summit in Montreal to resolve territorial claims of the North Pole when an activist group detonates a bomb and she can’t locate Jason and Piper. Also, things take a turn for the worse when Elizabeth learns that Russia was involved in the bombing, and Henry helps one of his students work through a difficult decision.

    Director:Félix Alcalá
    Writers:Moira Kirland, Alexander Maggio

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 15 - The Unnamed
    7.1/10(282 votes)

    S4:E15

    Elizabeth and the team are caught in an uncertain situation when they are about to award a foreign leader with the Medal of Freedom but learn he may have known that a minority group in his country is being persecuted. Also, President Dalton doubts his ability to return to office after being cleared by his doctor, and a past family grievance is brought to light when Henry’s sister pays a visit.

    Director:Félix Alcalá
    Writer:Joy Gregory

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 18 - The Friendship Game
    7.1/10(262 votes)

    S4:E18

    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.

    Director:Sam Hoffman
    Writer:Lyla Oliver

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Madam Secretary Season 4 Episode 14 - Refuge
    6.4/10(355 votes)

    S4:E14

    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.

    Director:Eric Stoltz
    Writer:Kristi Korzec

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 4 Ratings Summary

"Night Watch" is the best rated episode of "Madam Secretary" season 4. It scored 8.4/10 based on 442 votes. Directed by Rob J. Greenlea and written by David Grae, Barbara Hall, it aired on 5/20/2018. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "The Things We Get to Say".