The BEST episodes of Designated Survivor
Every episode of Designated Survivor ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Designated Survivor!
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 - Target
Season 2 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/9/2018
White House Council Kendra Daynes finds herself in a dangerous situation that puts another White House staffer’s life at risk, while Hannah Wells takes an unexpected trip for answers.
#2 - The Enemy
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/12/2016
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.
#3 - The Mission
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/26/2016
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.
#4 - The Traitor
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/16/2016
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.
#5 - The Results
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/30/2016
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.
#6 - The Blueprint
Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/7/2016
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 - Bad Reception
Season 2 - Episode 20 - Aired 5/2/2018
President Kirkman negotiates with a foreign government to release an American held overseas, while attorney Ethan West continues his investigation.
#8 - #truthorconsequences
Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/7/2019
On election day, Kirkman turns to his therapist to relieve his conscience about the events and own decisions he made 36 hours ago.
#9 - Pilot
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/21/2016
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.
#10 - The First Day
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/28/2016
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.
#11 - The Oath
Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/14/2016
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.
#12 - The Confession
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/5/2016
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.
#13 - Kirkman Agonistes
Season 2 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/18/2018
As more content from President Kirkman’s confidential therapy sessions continues to leak out, Vice President Darby meets secretly with the entire Cabinet, resulting in attorney Ethan West looking into the president’s past – while playing a large role in his future as commander in chief.
#14 - Run
Season 2 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/16/2018
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.
#15 - Capacity
Season 2 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/25/2018
Attorney Ethan West calls on President Kirkman’s closest advisors and staff as he begins his investigation.
#16 - The Interrogation
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/9/2016
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.
#17 - The End of the Beginning
Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/15/2017
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.
#18 - Bombshell
Season 1 - Episode 20 - Aired 5/10/2017
President Kirkman’s first international summit is derailed when journalist Abe Leonard publishes an explosive article. Hannah Wells uncovers the conspiracy’s next target.
#19 - Family Ties
Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/15/2017
When a Turkish activist ignites protests in the U.S., Turkey’s president demands his extradition while the first family unknowingly finds themselves in the center of a battle that could threaten Leo’s future.
#20 - Warriors
Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/8/2017
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.
#21 - Two Ships
Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/1/2017
When a U.S. Navy ship containing secret surveillance becomes stranded in enemy waters, President Kirkman must negotiate the crew and ship’s release. If captured, the technology on board would create a massive threat to national security. Meanwhile. Chief of Staff Emily Rhodes reconnects with someone from her childhood.
#22 - In the Dark
Season 2 - Episode 14 - Aired 3/21/2018
When a blackout threatens to shut down the government and causes chaos in the streets of Washington, D.C., President Kirkman joins forces with Mayor Ellenor Darby, but the partnership doesn’t end there.
#23 - Brace for Impact
Season 1 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/17/2017
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.
#24 - Fallout
Season 2 - Episode 16 - Aired 4/4/2018
President Kirkman and his staff have credible intelligence that a dirty bomb is on U.S. soil, thrusting the president into a high-stakes effort to find the bomb and stop it from detonating. At the White House, Emily approaches Chuck to help her with something that has damaging and illegal consequences.
#25 - Summit
Season 2 - Episode 15 - Aired 3/28/2018
As tensions between East and West Hanchu escalate, President Kirkman travels to Camp David to broker a peace treaty with the leaders of those countries; while back in Washington, D.C., Seth and Emily take a hard look at their relationship and decide how, and if, they will move forward as a couple.