Retired CIA agent Elizabeth McCord is named secretary of state after the previous secretary's sudden death, and immediately takes on a hostage crisis.
Elizabeth must find a backdoor way to protect Yemen's besieged American ambassador, while also coping with her defiant daughter Stevie's return home.
A reporter publishes leaked state documents, endangering the life of a CIA agent, and Elizabeth must devise a plan to save him before time runs out.
As Elizabeth is brokering a peace treaty between China and Japan, a visiting Chinese student publicly requests asylum, putting the deal in jeopardy.
Elizabeth and the president clash over Iran's nuclear program, and to avert war, Elizabeth must find a way to meet with a powerful Iranian diplomat.
Henry's friend, Father Laurent, begs Elizabeth to help prevent genocide in West Africa, but political blowback soon threatens her heartfelt efforts.
When an earthquake hits India during her state visit, causing a chemical explosion in a U.S.-owned factory, Elizabeth faces a tough ethical decision.
Fearing reprisals, Elizabeth grills Russell about Henry's NSA activities, then devises a daring rescue for a Moldovian plane hijacked by a warlord.
Elizabeth, Henry and Isabelle launch a secret investigation into Marsh's death and learn that the crash that killed him may not have been accidental.
When a gunman causes a state department lockdown during talks with an Iraqi delegation, an interpreter confronts Elizabeth about her CIA work in Iraq.
After Elizabeth learns that Marsh had a bank account in Venezuela and Nadine has access to it, she diverts her goodwill tour there to investigate.
Elizabeth and Henry's anniversary plans derail when the Texas governor extracts a cop killer from a Mexican prison, creating a diplomatic firestorm.
When police discover a Bahraini diplomat has been imprisoning his housekeeper, Elizabeth goes to great lengths to deny him immunity from prosecution.
After a Congressional committee chairman airs public charges of corruption against a microloan program she supports, Elizabeth shakes up her staff.
While coping with Juliet's betrayal, Elizabeth faces fallout from her failed CIA operation in Turkey as well as threats from Iran to end peace talks.
Under the weight of CIA director Munsey's planned Iranian coup, Elizabeth shares what she knows about Marsh's murder with her staff.
Still reeling from the attack in Iran, Elizabeth struggles with an ecological crisis in the Amazon and security at Jason's school.
When diplomatic efforts fail to help a congressman who was taken hostage by a doomsday cult in South America, Elizabeth sends Henry to negotiate.
Elizabeth and Dalton scramble to save face when a former U.S. Treasury secretary undermines their negotiation of the Greek debt crisis.
When a Russian submarine crosses into U.S. waters and fires on an American ship, Elizabeth gambles on intel gathered by Henry to avert an all-out war.
While Dalton plans a drone attack on Juliet in Algeria, Elizabeth prepares to receive the new Iranian president amid protests by gay rights activists.
After interrogating Juliet, Elizabeth recalls her time as Bagdad section chief, then faces a congressional hearing on the attempted coup in Iran.
A pair of crises force Elizabeth to step into the role of acting president. Meanwhile, Henry is tasked with recruiting a Russian student as a spy.
When a State Department worker is kidnapped in Afghanistan, Elizabeth turns to Madeleine Albright for advice. Russia's president drops out of sight.
Elizabeth earns a powerful new enemy while racing to broker a deal between Russia and Ukraine. Dmitri's first mission takes a harrowing turn.
As Elizabeth struggles to regain her spot in the president's inner circle, provocative photos of Stevie and Harrison ignite a media firestorm.
Troubling news out of Russia spurs Elizabeth to forge an alliance with Anton Gorev. New clues emerge about the hacking of Air Force One.
Elizabeth's efforts to hunt down an American ISIS leader create friction with her brother. Dmitri begs Henry to help a fellow student in danger.
When her plan to end the Cuban trade embargo hits a last-minute snag, Elizabeth flies to Havana in search of an American fugitive.
Elizabeth, Russell and Mike hatch a cunning plan to get rid of Craig. Meanwhile, the president prepares to send a stark message to Russia.
As the aftermath of the cyberattack pushes the U.S. and Russia to the brink of war, Elizabeth uncovers surprising new intel on the Air Force One hack.
Elizabeth's team digs up compromising information on Maria Ostrov, which gives the U.S. crucial leverage. Henry makes a distressing discovery.
While scrambling to salvage the peace deal, Elizabeth gets word of a new crisis aboard the International Space Station.
A mission to Myanmar turns hairy when an American ambassador goes rogue. Back at home, Henry and Blake field complaints from angry neighbors.
As the McCords gather to mourn a death in Henry's family, startling secrets come to light and long-simmering tensions bubble over.
While dealing with a uranium heist and two missing U.S. teens tied to a terror group, Elizabeth hosts a controversial event for an acid attack victim.
Elizabeth's team races to connect the dots and find out who was behind the dirty bomb. Meanwhile, Henry shows worrisome symptoms.
Elizabeth faces a tricky decision when a man on a boat loaded with Libyan refugees claims to have intel on terror chief Jibral Disah.
During a college tour with Alison, Elizabeth finds herself suddenly embroiled in a Chilean mining controversy. Henry searches for Jibral Disah's wife.
A plane crash derails India-Pakistan peace talks and reveals the existence of an advanced weapon. Henry's team devises a new plan to locate Hijriyyah.
The outbreak of a deadly virus complicates efforts to free schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram. Jane's hunch on Jibral Disah leads to a breakthrough.
New talks with Russia inflame tensions between Elizabeth and Henry. Hijriyyah makes a surprising demand in exchange for her cooperation.
After tracking Disah to Islamabad, Henry and team embark on a dangerous mission -- just as a corrupt Pakistani official creates chaos in the streets.
As the U.S. races to keep Pakistan's nuclear weapons out of the hands of Hizb al-Shahid, a sudden reversal by Russia catches Elizabeth off guard.
Rumors leave Elizabeth fearing for her job as she negotiates a dicey spy swap. Stevie prepares to take a big plunge.
After the destruction of a naval base in Bahrain by a cyclone, Elizabeth talks to President Dalton about his foreign and climate change policies.
With the situation in Algeria taking a turn for the worse, Elizabeth goes about the delicate business of negotiating regime change.
Elizabeth pushes for the release of U.S. environmental activists arrested by China for videotaping Chinese damage to a reef.
After a bombing in Angola, Elizabeth is handed a memo of dissent by the Bureau of African Affairs, protesting U.S. policies in the African country.
U.S.-French relations are strained after a CIA operative is captured by French intelligence. Elizabeth finds threatening graffiti in her office.
A terrorist bombing at an Illinois coffee shop brings the Saudi government and one of Elizabeth's staffers under the spotlight.
A devastating earthquake in Venezuela kills the Venezuelan president and sparks a series of political and humanitarian crises.
As President Dalton awaits voting results on election day, Elizabeth receives news that three Iranian nuclear scientists were spotted in Moscow.
Elizabeth has to deal with Israeli concerns about Iranian nuclear activity, and France's reluctance to vote in favor of sanctions against Iran.
Iran launches missiles at an Israeli nuclear facility, and the House decides to move its vote for president to an earlier date.
Gov. Sam Evans threatens to sue Ohio for putting Dalton on the election ballot. Elizabeth receives an unusual gift from the Mongolian government.
Elizabeth and her staff fly to Africa to offer development aid, and are surprised to find themselves in competition with the Chinese.
A peacemaking Rabbi, who was responsible for organizing a soccer game between Iran and Israel, is killed in a bomb blast.
A Colombian love story is put in jeopardy, along with a peace deal that was responsible for ending a long and bloody civil war in Colombia.
Elizabeth inflicts a bloody nose on the president of the Philippines after he makes a pass at her in the middle of a meeting.
A terminally ill Dalai Lama asks Elizabeth to persuade the U.S. government to endorse his choice of successor over that of China.
The CIA forces down a cargo plane carrying contraband missiles, and Elizabeth tries to find a solution to increased black rhino poaching in Namibia.
Elizabeth enlists the help of a Hollywood star to help sway the president of Kyrgyzstan to end sex slavery in his country.
Elizabeth considers enlisting the help of a notorious arms dealer to help negotiate the release of an American who has been kidnapped in Somalia.
The kidnapping of a prominent member of Elizabeth's team in Nice exposes more loose ends in an already complicated case.
Elizabeth and her team are informed that a U.S. journalist being held hostage in Sudanese territory is critically unwell.
Elizabeth has grave reservations about Henry's inclusion in a mission to prevent a biological weapon from being deployed.
Elizabeth and her team have a disagreement with a French delegation over measures to be taken against Russian activity in Eastern Europe.
A diplomat's suspicious death alarms Elizabeth while also sparking a false news story about the secretary of state. Alison moves into her dorm room.
Elizabeth's high-risk trip to Libya goes awry when a young girl is gravely injured. Meanwhile, Dmitri's addiction affects his first day of work.
A Syrian refugee camp needs help with its electrical grid just as the U.S. government risks being shut down. Nadine makes an important decision.
Elizabeth works to end the government shutdown. Henry tries to identify a Russian official. Stevie speaks to Jareth about their relationship.
A sex scandal threatens to stop a human trafficking conference in Kyrgyzstan. Henry confronts Senator Morejon about national security.
When a CIA agent is held captive in Afghanistan by the Taliban, Henry turns to Elizabeth and the president to help negotiate her release.
A Russian dissident seeks asylum in the U.S. but is diagnosed with smallpox upon landing. Elizabeth and her team investigate the cause.
Tensions with Mexico escalate when a cartel leader is extradited to the U.S. and challenges ensue. Blake's parents visit him and question his career.
Russell persuades Elizabeth to host a holiday party, hoping it will help garner support for a presidential run.
In an attempt to negotiate with the Taliban, Elizabeth clashes with the Afghan minister of health about women's rights in Afghanistan.
A hit is put out on Dmitri, potentially putting Stevie in danger. Elizabeth and the vice president work to stop Russia from banning U.S. adoptions.
Dalton's uncharacteristic response to a crisis causes Elizabeth and Russell to have serious concern about his mental health and capacity to serve.
A psychic thwarts a Sri Lankan trade deal and Elizabeth's team works to find a solution. Alison's roommate suffers from mental health problems.
Kat and Jay work on a plan to help persecuted LGBTQ citizens in Abkhazia. Henry is surprised to hear about Jason's test score.
Dalton doubts himself but Elizabeth asks him to help her convince Myanmar's president to confront human rights violations involving the Rohingya.
The State Department debates whether to lift sanctions on Sudan and ends up uncovering corruption in the country's government.
Henry considers a new job offer. The family of a man killed in Saudi Arabia sues Elizabeth as she's trying to broker phase two of a deal with Iran.
A Honduran kidnapping involving an American hostage leaves Elizabeth with a difficult decision to make. Matt tries giving in to his mother.
Jason asks to join his mother on a summit about the North Pole and a bomb goes off nearby. Meanwhile, Henry helps one of his students.
A reporter is granted full access to shadow Elizabeth. The secretary of state must negotiate a deal in order to get an immigration reform bill passed.
Elizabeth goes into diplomatic overdrive when tensions escalate between the U.S., Turkey, and Russia after a dam is seized above Iraq.
The threat of a Russian nuclear attack instigates plans for a counterattack by the U.S., and Elizabeth makes a decision about running for president.
Beth's vacation is cut short when a tragedy devastates the Oval Office. Former political titans advise the secretary of state on an important moment.
During a manhunt for the White House attackers, Elizabeth discovers the assailants' delicate foreign ties. Henry interrogates a suspect.
Elizabeth travels to Milan Fashion Week to broker a treaty with the Chinese Foreign Minister. Daisy grapples with the dark realities of social justice.
A stubborn leader thwarts Elizabeth's attempts to bring an overseas discovery back to the States. Henry and Stevie are targeted for Beth's policies.
As Jason readies for college, Henry heads to Thailand to help an imprisoned ex-girlfriend after she bad-mouths the monarchy.
A natural disaster leaves Elizabeth stranded and grants her the opportunity to discuss a rescue plan for Syrian refugees with a Turkish minister.
Elizabeth steps in when the vice president's surrogate is affected by human trafficking. Meanwhile, the demands of Japanese gardeners rattle Blake.
When diplomacy fails and Haiti's leader refuses to step down, Elizabeth contemplates military force to bring peace.
When a historic agreement between Serbia and Kosovo becomes vulnerable to Spain, Elizabeth and Jay work to prevent broken political ties.
Elizabeth wars with the U.S. when an egregious anti-immigration policy separates children from their families.
In the midst of a heated political climate, Elizabeth and Henry plan a joyous occasion to rekindle their union.
Elizabeth must wield her best strategic skills to satisfy a military contractor and avoid triggering a war with China.
After an American-made explosive kills Syrian children, Elizabeth is left to piece together the fallout. A PR nightmare consumes Russell.
President Dalton and Elizabeth work to secure the safe return of American hostages abroad. Henry helps prepare a family member for deployment.
Scandalous rumors of a White House romance complicate Elizabeth's deal with the Middle East to bring troops home.
Elizabeth deploys emergency assistance to a small Pacific Island after a typhoon. Meanwhile, Henry gives a rousing speech on climate change.
As Elizabeth mulls over her presidential campaign, her staff procures an agreement to salve damage from global warming. A measles outbreak arises.
An assassination attempt hits close to home for Beth as she faces another betrayal when interest blossoms between a family member and a political rival.
Elizabeth's CIA days haunt her when a scathing news article about an alleged affair looms over her impending declaration of candidacy for president.
In the season finale, terrorists attack the UN delegation in Geneva while Elizabeth prepares to announce her run for president.
As she nears a milestone in her new role, Elizabeth learns of a rising threat from Iran. A TV appearance puts Henry in an awkward spot.
Rising fuel costs and rumors of a treasonous election deal put Elizabeth in the hot seat as she prepares for a major public event.
Elizabeth grapples with a moral dilemma over using drones or troops for a risky mission. Blake's love life gets uncomfortable scrutiny.
Henry meets unexpected hurdles in his fight to improve mental health services for veterans. Under questioning, Daisy raises suspicion.
Daisy's revealing Senate Intelligence Committee testimony leads to devastating fallout. Conrad and Elizabeth reunite at the White House.
A fake video jeopardizes a key negotiation with a foreign dignitary. Hanson's motives are laid bare. Stevie's love life takes a dramatic turn.
An embattled Elizabeth faces off with a hell-bent Hanson. At the White House Correspondents' Dinner, it's not all fun and games.
A tech CEO's disappearance abroad forces Elizabeth into tricky bartering. Impeachment hearing questions cut deep for Henry and Stevie.
Elizabeth faces dueling threats when a military confrontation escalates toward nuclear war, and the impeachment hearing nears its own climax.
In the series finale, a wedding leads to emotional reunions and major decisions. Elizabeth and Henry embrace a new cause — and adventure.