Madam Secretary

10 Best Episodes of Madam Secretary - Season 3

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 as she negotiates global and domestic issues, both at the White House and at home.

Written by Sophie and last updated on jan 20, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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Madam Secretary - S3E20

#15 - Extraordinary Hazard (Season 3 - Episode 20)

As the U.S. hunts for the person believed to be behind the CIA arms smuggling case, Elizabeth and her team must work to save Jay when he’s kidnapped in Nice, France, during a fact-finding mission into the suspect. Also, Henry suspects the doomsday cult is planning an attack in Israel, and Jason dupes his parents into giving him money for an expensive calculator when he’s really using it to impress a girl.

The episode was rated 7.73 from 1228 votes.

Madam Secretary - S3E7

#14 - Tectonic Shift (Season 3 - Episode 7)

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After Venezuela’s president and his immediate successors are killed in a devastating earthquake, Elizabeth works to stop a power grab by the late president’s son, as well as secure the release of the international aid team he arrested. Also, Elizabeth’s brother, Will, is torn between saving his marriage by settling down and taking a job at Walter Reed Medical Center or going to Venezuela to assist in the relief effort.

The episode was rated 7.74 from 1306 votes.

Madam Secretary - S3E4

#13 - The Dissent Memo (Season 3 - Episode 4)

After a bombing at a political rally in Angola, Elizabeth must find a way to respond to a “dissent memo” from the Bureau of African Affairs when they criticize the Dalton Administration’s lack of attention to the upcoming Angolan election. Also, Russell enlists Elizabeth’s help to get President Dalton on the ballot in Ohio, and Henry and Jose get closer to locating the antiquities stolen by Hizb al-Shahid.

The episode was rated 7.74 from 1242 votes.

Madam Secretary - S3E19

#12 - Global Relief (Season 3 - Episode 19)

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When warring rebel groups threaten Elizabeth’s Somalian food relief efforts and kidnap an American aide there, she reluctantly considers asking a notorious Russian arms dealer for help. Also, Henry is blindsided when he is taken off the VFF doomsday cult case, and Alison and Stevie await their college acceptances.

The episode was rated 7.76 from 1243 votes.

Madam Secretary - S3E8

#11 - Breakout Capacity (Season 3 - Episode 8)

As President Dalton eagerly awaits voting results on Election Day, Elizabeth uncovers information that could put the U.S.’s peace deal with Iran in jeopardy. Also, election night proves to be one filled with possible romance for some of McCord’s staffers, and Jason challenges his parents by supporting one of Dalton’s presidential competitors.

The episode was rated 7.78 from 1329 votes.

Madam Secretary - S3E17

#10 - Convergence (Season 3 - Episode 17)

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When a computer sting uncovers the possible mole in the CIA arms smuggling ring, Elizabeth’s questioning of the suspect makes her think that a larger, more dangerous force is behind the operation. Also, Henry worries that the doomsday cult is drugging his embedded operative, and Elizabeth and her State Department staff come up with an unorthodox approach to solving black rhino poaching in Namibia.

The episode was rated 7.79 from 1281 votes.

Madam Secretary - S3E6

#9 - The Statement (Season 3 - Episode 6)

When Elizabeth discovers that a terrorist bombing at an Illinois coffee shop was funded by someone with close ties to the Saudi government, she makes a bold move after the Saudi ambassador refuses to bring the man to justice. Also, Matt refuses to issue a statement when news breaks that he and the bomber are linked to the same mosque, and Henry reaches out to Dmitri when he hears he’s having trouble adjusting to his new life in Phoenix.

The episode was rated 7.80 from 1303 votes.

Madam Secretary - S3E10

#8 - The Race (Season 3 - Episode 10)

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When a possible Israel-Iran war threatens the House’s imminent vote on the U.S. presidential election, Elizabeth attempts to bring the two reluctant countries to the negotiation table in an effort to broker a peace between them. Also, Russell’s life hangs in the balance after a heart attack.

The episode was rated 7.81 from 1333 votes.

Madam Secretary - S3E5

#7 - The French Revolution (Season 3 - Episode 5)

When an imminent U.S.-France state dinner is jeopardized after a CIA operative is captured by French intelligence, Elizabeth must negotiate the operative’s release while keeping the event on track. Also, Russell tries to woo back big donors to Dalton’s campaign, and the McCords get an important lead in their family’s stalking case.

The episode was rated 7.82 from 1295 votes.

Madam Secretary - S3E9

#6 - Snap Back (Season 3 - Episode 9)

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As the U.N. Security Council considers reinstating sanctions against Iran for its suspected nuclear activities, Elizabeth tries to stop Israel from taking matters into its own hands when it threatens military action against the Iranians. Also, Russell pressures Henry to woo his old Air Force buddy, Congressman Jeff Pearson, to support President Dalton in the House’s election vote, and Stevie asks Russell for a recommendation to Harvard Law School.

The episode was rated 7.82 from 1319 votes.

Madam Secretary - S3E22

#5 - Revelation (Season 3 - Episode 22)

As Elizabeth and President Dalton head to Rome for the G20 Conference, she is concerned for Henry’s safety when he is sent to Israel to intercept the doomsday cult’s bio-weapon before it is deployed. Also, Blake reveals a personal secret to his former colleagues that he meets at the conference, and Elizabeth goes behind Stevie’s back to ask Russell to get her off Harvard Law School’s waiting list.

The episode was rated 7.83 from 1219 votes.

Madam Secretary - S3E2

#4 - The Linchpin (Season 3 - Episode 2)

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With Algeria on the brink of a civil war, Elizabeth delicately negotiates a regime change, but her plans go awry when Roy Curtis, the trusted U.S. Ambassador to Algeria, dies unexpectedly. Also, Henry fights to save religious antiquities in Algeria when he discovers they are being destroyed by Hizb al-Shahid, and the McCord children get their own security detail after Jason’s computer is hacked.

The episode was rated 7.84 from 1251 votes.

Madam Secretary - S3E21

#3 - The Seventh Floor (Season 3 - Episode 21)

Elizabeth and her team work to secure the release of an American journalist held hostage in the Sudan.

The episode was rated 7.84 from 1200 votes.

Madam Secretary - S3E1

#2 - Sea Change (Season 3 - Episode 1)

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When a storm destroys a naval base in Bahrain, Elizabeth urges President Dalton to reexamine his approach to climate change and his overall foreign policy, something that could jeopardize his re-election campaign. Also, Jose Campos tries to bring Henry back into the DIA fold, and the McCords worry that their family is being stalked when they discover Jason’s laptop may have been hacked.

The episode was rated 7.87 from 1371 votes.

Madam Secretary - S3E23

#1 - Article 5 (Season 3 - Episode 23)

In the season finale, Elizabeth heads to Brussels to seek NATO'S support against Russia when it threatens to invade Bulgaria, but when France refuses to cooperate, it threatens the alliance's existence. Also, when Henry's new government role has him dive into the Russia issue, he turns to his former operative, Dmitri Petrov, for help, and as Nadine and Mike B's relationship heats up, Elizabeth finds out information about her old friend that makes her question his loyalty.

The episode was rated 7.90 from 1193 votes.

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