The BEST Episodes of Designated Survivor
Every episode ever - ranked by fan votes!
Last Updated: Jan 11, 2022
Network: ABC (US)
Tom Kirkman, a low-level cabinet member, is suddenly appointed President of the United States after a catastrophic attack during the State of the Union kills everyone above him in the Presidential line of succession.
#1 - The End of the Beginning
Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired Mar 15, 2017
Circles must tighten as a new discovery within the conspiracy emerges. Tension rises between Aaron and Emily as suspicions loom in the White House. A new lead places Agent Wells closer than before to the truth.
8.04 
#2 - The Oath
Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired Dec 14, 2016
President Kirkman fears there could be a traitor in the White House when he discovers shocking information connected to the Capitol Bombing. Confiding in Emily, Kirkman puts her in charge of quietly investigating. New information surfaces about Congressman MacLeish, raising concerns regarding his vice presidential nomination.
8.02 
#3 - Brace for Impact
Season 1 - Episode 21 - Aired May 17, 2017
Hannah Wells must stop the conspiracy from carrying out a final attack while President Kirkman authorizes a nationwide manhunt for the mastermind behind it all.
7.98 
#4 - Warriors
Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired Mar 8, 2017
The nation reels from the aftermath of the shooting on the steps of the Capitol while Emily struggles with the knowledge there may be a traitor in the White House. Agent Wells grapples with her decision to reveal what she knows about the conspiracy behind the Capitol bombing.
7.94 
#5 - The Enemy
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired Oct 12, 2016
Kirkman learns who is behind the attack and needs to grapple not only with the prospect of war, but brewing domestic troubles as well. Kirkman taps Emily to monitor the domestic situation. Alex may be in for more than she bargains for when she seeks out help from Hookstraten.
7.90 
#6 - #truthorconsequences
Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired Jun 7, 2019
On election day, Kirkman turns to his therapist to relieve his conscience about the events and own decisions he made 36 hours ago.
7.87 
#7 - The Mission
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired Oct 26, 2016
Realizing his attempts at diplomacy with Algeria have failed, President Kirkman makes the difficult decision of sending Navy SEALs on a mission that will define his presidency. Agent Hannah Wells discovers more secrets than answers.
7.86 
#8 - The Blueprint
Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired Dec 7, 2016
When classified government documents are leaked online, President Kirkman searches for the party responsible only to find that they have taken refuge inside a foreign embassy and are beyond even his reach. Agent Hannah Wells races furiously to gather evidence of MacLeish’s involvement in the conspiracy before he can be confirmed as the country’s next Vice President.
7.86 
#9 - The First Day
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired Sep 28, 2016
Hours after the attack on the Capitol, President Kirkman steps into his role as Commander-in-Chief in the midst of chaos and confusion. Facing dangerous new challenges and adversaries, Kirkman struggles to hold a country together that is on the brink of falling apart.
7.86 
#10 - Pilot
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired Sep 21, 2016
Lower-level cabinet member Tom Kirkman becomes President of the United States after a catastrophic attack on the U.S. Capitol. Kirkman must keep the country and his family safe while leading the search for the those responsible for the attack.
7.85 
#11 - #undecided
Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired Jun 7, 2019
Behind in the polls, Kirkman weighs forcing the FBI’s hand over the bioterrorism plot. Emily struggles with her mother’s last wishes.
7.82 
#12 - Bombshell
Season 1 - Episode 20 - Aired May 10, 2017
President Kirkman’s first international summit is derailed when journalist Abe Leonard publishes an explosive article. Hannah Wells uncovers the conspiracy’s next target.
7.81 
#13 - The Traitor
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired Nov 16, 2016
When an American track-and-field coach heads to Russia, President Kirkman is thrust into a hostage exchange involving the CIA and the Russian government. Agent Hannah Wells and Deputy Director Atwood’s investigation into the Capitol bombing uncovers information that puts Atwood and his family’s life at risk.
7.80 
#14 - Commander-in-Chief
Season 1 - Episode 14 - Aired Mar 29, 2017
Turmoil in an African country forces President Kirkman to rely on an unlikely ally for help. Hannah’s investigation into the Capitol bombing takes an unexpected turn. Emily settles into her role as chief of staff. Aaron has to make a difficult choice.
7.76 
#15 - Run
Season 2 - Episode 22 - Aired May 16, 2018
As President Kirkman continues to deal with the turmoil surrounding the hacker and Congressional investigation, a natural disaster threatens the lives of two White House staffers. Meanwhile, Kirkman’s closest allies are surprised when the president makes an announcement no one saw coming.
7.75 
#16 - The Ninth Seat
Season 1 - Episode 17 - Aired Apr 19, 2017
As President Kirkman struggles to put together a new Supreme Court, FBI Agent Hannah Wells goes undercover and discovers much more than she ever could have imagined. Seth Wright has to contend with journalist Abe Leonard, who returns from the Middle East with an explosive story.
7.75 
#17 - The Confession
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired Oct 5, 2016
President Kirkman and his staff work to keep a high-level security breach of the White House a secret just as he’s about to give his first television interview. The FBI continues to investigate the Capitol bombing but Agent Hannah Wells starts to develop her own theories about who was really behind the attack.
7.75 
#18 - Misalliance
Season 1 - Episode 19 - Aired May 3, 2017
As the White House gears up for President Kirkman’s first international summit, Kimble Hookstraten faces her toughest political battle yet when her speakership is challenged. Meanwhile, Alex wrestles with whether or not to bring the kids back to Washington.
7.74 
#19 - Backfire
Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired Mar 22, 2017
An investigative journalist shocks the White House when he reveals classified information during a press briefing and leaves Seth struggling to contain the damage from the leaked story. Hannah unearths a key connection between MacLeish and the conspiracy.
7.73 
#20 - #scaredsh*tless
Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired Jun 7, 2019
Kirkman enacts a frantic hunt for the bioterrorist. Lorraine plays hardball and pushes the opioid epidemic into the campaign.
7.72 
#21 - One Hundred Days
Season 1 - Episode 15 - Aired Apr 5, 2017
As President Kirkman releases an agenda to reset his presidency, Alex makes a controversial public statement that threatens to derail it. Agent Wells unknowingly finds herself in the center of a dangerous trap while getting closer to the truth.
7.71 
#22 - The Interrogation
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired Nov 9, 2016
When shots ring out at The White House during a Governors Summit, President Kirkman’s plans at electing a new Congress are thrown into turmoil. Agent Hannah Wells continues investigating the Capitol bombing and makes one of her most shocking discoveries yet.
7.71 
#23 - Party Lines
Season 1 - Episode 16 - Aired Apr 12, 2017
President Kirkman forms an unlikely alliance in the hopes of passing his first bill. Agent Ritter is briefed by Agent Wells about a new alarming threat to the nation.
7.70 
#24 - The Results
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired Nov 30, 2016
On the eve of the country voting to elect a new House of Representatives, an unexpected development forces Kirkman to consider cancelling the elections entirely. News about Majid Nassar’s death leaks out, and Kirkman has to handle the fallout.
7.70 
#25 - #privacyplease
Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired Jun 7, 2019
A political attack on Kirkman puts privacy and transgender rights in the spotlight. Aaron weighs a major decision. Wells and Eli track a bioterrorist.
7.69