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The Best Episodes of Designated Survivor

Every episode of Designated Survivor ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Designated Survivor!

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...

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  1. 8.5/10(2.4k votes)

    #1 - The Oath

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    S1:E10

    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.

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  2. 8.4/10(2.0k votes)

    #2 - The End of the Beginning

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    S1:E12

    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.

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  3. 8.1/10(3.8k votes)

    #3 - Pilot

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    S1:E1

    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.

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  4. 8.1/10(1.9k votes)

    #4 - Warriors

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    S1:E11

    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.

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  5. 8.0/10(2.9k votes)

    #5 - The First Day

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    S1:E2

    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.

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    Director:Brad Turner
    Writer:N/A
  6. 8.0/10(1.9k votes)

    #6 - The Blueprint

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    S1:E9

    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.

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Designated Survivor

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  8. 7.9/10(2.4k votes)

    #7 - The Enemy

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    S1:E4

    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.

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  9. 7.8/10(2.2k votes)

    #8 - The Mission

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    S1:E5

    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.

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  10. 7.8/10(1.7k votes)

    #9 - Brace for Impact

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    S1:E21

    In the nail-biting season finale, 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.

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  11. 7.8/10(985 votes)

    #10 - #undecided

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    S3:E9

    Trailing in the polls, Kirkman weighs forcing the FBI's hand over the bioterrorism plot. Emily struggles with her mother's final wishes.

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    Director:Peter Leto
  12. 7.7/10(2.5k votes)

    #11 - The Confession

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    S1:E3

    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.

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  13. 7.6/10(2.0k votes)

    #12 - The Traitor

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    S1:E7

    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.

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  14. 7.6/10(1.9k votes)

    #13 - The Results

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    S1:E8

    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.

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  15. 7.6/10(1.7k votes)

    #14 - Commander-in-Chief

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    S1:E14

    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.

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  16. 7.6/10(1.5k votes)

    #15 - Bombshell

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    S1:E20

    President Kirkman’s first international summit is derailed when journalist Abe Leonard publishes an explosive article. Meanwhile, Hannah Wells uncovers the conspiracy’s next target.

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    Director:Sharat Raju
  17. 7.5/10(2.1k votes)

    #16 - The Interrogation

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    S1:E6

    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.

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  18. 7.5/10(1.7k votes)

    #17 - Backfire

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    S1:E13

    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.

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  19. 7.5/10(1.6k votes)

    #18 - The Ninth Seat

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    S1:E17

    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.

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    Director:Fred Toye
  20. 7.5/10(1.3k votes)

    #19 - Line of Fire

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    S2:E10

    It’s Christmas Day and President Kirkman is alerted to a group of religious extremists who refuse to evacuate when a forest fire threatens to engulf their cabin. Deploying Emily and Aaron to help diffuse the situation, Kirkman must act quickly to save multiple lives at stake. Meanwhile, the First Lady finally gives her testimony to the FBI director, while what happens next changes the lives of the Kirkman family forever.

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  21. 7.5/10(973 votes)

    #20 - Fallout

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    S2:E16

    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.

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    Director:Joe Lazarov
  22. 7.5/10(974 votes)

    #21 - Kirkman Agonistes

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    S2:E18

    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.

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  23. 7.5/10(1.0k votes)

    #22 - Run

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    S2:E22

    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.

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  24. 7.5/10(954 votes)

    #23 - #scaredsh*tless

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    S3:E8

    Kirkman mobilizes a frantic hunt for the bioterrorist. Lorraine plays hardball and pushes the opioid epidemic into the campaign fray.

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  25. 7.5/10(1.2k votes)

    #24 - #truthorconsequences

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    S3:E10

    On election day, Kirkman turns to his therapist to assuage his conscience about the events -- and his own decisions -- of the momentous prior 36 hours.

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    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writer:Peter Noah
  26. 7.4/10(1.6k votes)

    #25 - Misalliance

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    S1:E19

    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.

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Oath" is the best rated episode of "Designated Survivor". It scored 8.5/10 based on 2361 votes. Directed by Fred Toye and written by David Guggenheim, it aired on 12/14/2016. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "The End of the Beginning".