The WORST episodes of Designated Survivor
Every episode of Designated Survivor ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst 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 - Original Sin
Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 3/14/2018
When a video of the president visiting prison leaks to the media, his team works to minimize the fallout. A surprise White House demonstration has deeper ties to the president than anyone first realizes.
#2 - #makehistory
Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/7/2019
Aaron’s heritage and a widespread teachers’ strike become big issues. Wells discovers a sinister pattern in a flu outbreak.
#3 - The Final Frontier
Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/7/2018
When a missile intended to bring water to stranded astronauts in space is hacked, President Kirkman must work with Russia and enlists the help of Dr. Andrea Frost to help save lives and find out who is behind the hack. Meanwhile, Hannah finds herself working with Damian again.
#4 - Equilibrium
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/18/2017
Tensions rise between America and Mexico when a Mexican citizen is shot during a border dispute. Kirkman and his staff must work quickly to resolve the situation and create a new trade deal.
#5 - Three-Letter Day
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/6/2017
After sorting through thousands of letters all requesting something of president, the White House staff are assigned three, with Emily, Seth, Aaron, Llyor and Kendra joining forces to get answers and possibly save a life. Meanwhile, Hannah and Damian continue to chase down leads to exonerate the first lady, but in the end, Hannah learns the truth may be closer than she thinks.
#6 - 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.
#7 - Grief
Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 2/28/2018
It’s been ten weeks since his wife, Alex, was killed in a car accident; and President Kirkman’s senior staff insist he seek professional help in dealing with his loss, forcing him to reluctantly see therapist Dr. Adam Louden. Meanwhile, FBI Agent Hannah Wells and Aaron Shore travel to Cuba as part of a trade delegation, but the trip does not go according to plan. With lives in the balance, Kirkman is challenged with a decision that will test his role as commander in chief during this time of personal tragedy.
#8 - Outbreak
Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/11/2017
President Kirkman is faced with a viral pandemic. Agent Wells and MI6 Agent Damian Rennett discover evidence that could change the lives of members of the first family forever.
#9 - Suckers
Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/25/2017
Kirkman tries to win back the people’s trust after a senator misrepresents a private conversation. MI-6 agent Damian Rennett joins FBI agent Hannah Wells to solve an international murder.
#10 - 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.
#11 - Home
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/29/2017
While on a secret mission to Afghanistan, President Kirkman meets with two infamous warlords and must determine whom he can trust to hand over territories to the United States, while Seth has a run-in with Washington D.C. police that puts his job, reputation and future in the White House on the line.
#12 - #slipperyslope
Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/7/2019
A heated debate over child marriage causes tension between Kirkman’s staff. Opioid addiction hits home for Mars. A biohacker turns Wells onto a chilling new threat.
#13 - One Year In
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/27/2017
Now, one year into office, Kirkman is a Commander-in-Chief determined to rebuild the Capitol and capture the terrorists behind the catastrophic attack on the United States. When Ukrainian nationalists hijack a Russian Air flight, the president is faced with a hostage situation in which his diplomatic skills are put to the test.
#14 - Sting of the Tail
Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/4/2017
Agent Wells finally closes in on Patrick Lloyd, but when the president decides to take action during the White House Correspondents Dinner, members of the Homeland Security Council threaten to derail their plans.
#15 - #nothingpersonal
Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/7/2019
Emotions run high after a despicable fake news story goes viral. Isabel makes waves with a controversial appeal. Wells finds a clue pointing to conspiracy.
#16 - #thesystemisbroken
Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/7/2019
Running for office for the first time, Kirkman and his new campaign stumble out of the gate. Wells gets a critical reassignment.
#17 - #whocares
Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 6/7/2019
A dying Guatemalan child in a Texas hospital brings immigration up front. A mugging opens Kirkman’s eyes to the reality of life in the capital.
#18 - 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.
#19 - #identity/crisis
Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 6/7/2019
A stray Russian bomber threatens Seattle, Mars crusades against a drug company. An event from Aaron’s childhood brings trouble to Kirkman’s campaign.
#20 - Overkill
Season 2 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/11/2018
Following the deadly bomb explosion inside a D.C. metro station, President Kirkman declares war on Kunami. When the emir of that country sends his ambassador to negotiate, FBI Agent Hannah Wells learns the emir is hiding something that could have deadly consequences.
#21 - 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.
#22 - 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.
#23 - 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.
#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 - 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.