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The Best Episodes of Scandal Season 5

Every episode of Scandal Season 5 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Scandal Season 5!

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Scandal Season 5 Episode 17 - Thwack!
    8.4/10(491 votes)

    S5:E17

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Scandal Season 5 Episode 4 - Dog-Whistle Politics
    8.1/10(504 votes)

    S5:E4

    Eager to get answers, Jake unexpectedly crosses paths with someone he thought he'd never see again. Meanwhile, Huck and Quinn recruit a familiar face to help smooth over the media storm surrounding Olivia, and Fitz quickly finds out the true cost of mercy when he discovers not everyone fully supports his actions.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Scandal Season 5 Episode 2 - Yes
    7.9/10(488 votes)

    S5:E2

    The Pope and Associates team dives into a new case that takes Olivia out of D.C. and away from the President. Meanwhile, back at the White House, Fitz is determined to find who's responsible for causing the latest turn of events, and Abby receives unexpected guidance from a master of damage control as she struggles to catch a break.

    Director:Tony Goldwyn
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Scandal Season 5 Episode 5 - You Got Served
    7.9/10(447 votes)

    S5:E5

    Olivia knows she can't handle this latest storm on her own and calls for help from an unexpected source. Meanwhile, Mellie and Cyrus continue to pull strings from the sidelines and Jake is still occupied by a ghost from his past.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Scandal Season 5 Episode 16 - The Miseducation of Susan Ross
    7.9/10(399 votes)

    S5:E16

    Following the first Republican debate, Olivia is presented with damaging information about an opponent and enlists the Gladiators to verify its authenticity. Meanwhile, David deals with fallout from his dating life, and Cyrus continues to work on his own political agenda.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Scandal Season 5 Episode 1 - Heavy Is the Head
    7.8/10(559 votes)

    S5:E1

    Olivia and Fitz are back together again and enjoying every scandalous moment together while Cyrus, Mellie and Huck are all still dealing with the aftermath of helping Command. Meanwhile, when a visit from the Queen of Caldonia and her family turns into a tragedy, Olivia is hired to make sure the Royal family's private life stays private.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Scandal Season 5 Episode 7 - Even the Devil Deserves a Second Chance
    7.8/10(434 votes)

    S5:E7

    While Fitz is focused on winning back the American people, he makes a shocking discovery. Meanwhile, OPA takes on a new client, but Olivia seems preoccupied keeping her own secrets, and Elizabeth North sets her sights on a new agenda.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Scandal Season 5 Episode 8 - Rasputin
    7.8/10(420 votes)

    S5:E8

    In the midst of Fitz negotiating a historic peace deal, Olivia must rely on her instincts when a guest of the The White House discloses powerful intel. Meanwhile, Jake uses Huck's help to get closer to his target, and Cyrus takes matters into his own hands when he realizes he's been shut out of the inner circle.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Scandal Season 5 Episode 15 - Pencils Down
    7.8/10(385 votes)

    S5:E15

    Mellie manages to make a public gaffe whilst Olivia attempts to fix it. David Rosen looks for advice on dealing with his love triangle with Liz and Susan.

    Director:Regina King
    Writer:Chris Van Dusen

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  10. Scandal Season 5 Episode 20 - Trump Card
    7.8/10(401 votes)

    S5:E20

    Olivia and Abby have to put their differences aside and work together to try and take Hollis Doyle down. Meanwhile, Edison realizes he may have made a deal with the devil as Rowan and Jake continue to try and pull the strings behind his campaign.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Scandal Season 5 Episode 21 - That's My Girl
    7.8/10(437 votes)

    S5:E21

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Scandal Season 5 Episode 6 - Get Out of Jail, Free
    7.7/10(453 votes)

    S5:E6

    Fitz and Olivia are presented with a shocking plan that might just make all of their troubles go away, and Mellie is put through the ringer when confronted about her troubled marriage. Meanwhile, the Gladiators continue to defend Olivia, and Susan Ross turns to David for advice.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Scandal Season 5 Episode 3 - Paris Is Burning
    7.6/10(487 votes)

    S5:E3

    Olivia and Fitz face some very big consequences and Mellie brings in an old friend to make sure she gets her way. Meanwhile, Abby shows Olivia she is fully capable of handling working at the White House.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Matt Byrne

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  14. Scandal Season 5 Episode 19 - Buckle Up
    7.6/10(383 votes)

    S5:E19

    As Mellie, Susan and Hollis prepare to meet with Florida's governor and vie for her influential endorsement, a spin war between Abby and Olivia threatens to keep their candidates grounded. Meanwhile, Cyrus is faced with a decision that could dramatically alter his future,

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Scandal Season 5 Episode 11 - The Candidate
    7.5/10(402 votes)

    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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  16. Scandal Season 5 Episode 14 - I See You
    7.5/10(402 votes)

    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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  17. Scandal Season 5 Episode 13 - The Fish Rots from the Head
    7.4/10(394 votes)

    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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  18. Scandal Season 5 Episode 10 - It's Hard Out Here for a General
    7.3/10(416 votes)

    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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  19. Scandal Season 5 Episode 12 - Wild Card
    7.3/10(410 votes)

    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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  20. Scandal Season 5 Episode 9 - Baby, It's Cold Outside
    7.1/10(553 votes)

    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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  21. Scandal Season 5 Episode 18 - Till Death Do Us Part
    7.0/10(447 votes)

    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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Season 5 Ratings Summary

"Thwack!" is the best rated episode of Scandal season 5. It scored 8.4/10 from 491 votes. Written and directed by Unknown, it aired on April 7, 2016. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "Dog-Whistle Politics".