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The Best Episodes of Designated Survivor Season 1

Every episode of Designated Survivor Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Designated Survivor Season 1!

Binge this in 15h 9m•Peaking at 8.5/10

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.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.1/10(3921 votes)

    #1 - Pilot

    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.

    Director:Paul McGuigan
    Writer:David Guggenheim

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  2. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 2 - The First Day
    8.0/10(2982 votes)

    #2 - The First Day

    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.

    Director:Brad Turner
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 3 - The Confession
    7.7/10(2576 votes)

    #3 - The Confession

    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.

    Director:Sergio Mimica-Gezzan
    Writers:Paul Redford, Jennifer M. Johnson

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  4. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 4 - The Enemy
    7.9/10(2453 votes)

    #4 - The Enemy

    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.

    Director:Paul A. Edwards
    Writers:Dana Ledoux Miller, Jon Harmon Feldman

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  5. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 5 - The Mission
    7.8/10(2303 votes)

    #5 - The Mission

    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.

    Director:Paul A. Edwards
    Writers:Michael Russell Gunn, Sang Kyu Kim

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  6. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 6 - The Interrogation
    7.5/10(2158 votes)

    #6 - The Interrogation

    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.

    Director:Michael Katleman
    Writers:Jenna Richman, Barbie Kligman

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  7. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 7 - The Traitor
    7.6/10(2062 votes)

    #7 - The Traitor

    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.

    Director:Frederick E. O. Toye
    Writers:Michael Russell Gunn, Jennifer M. Johnson

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  8. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 8 - The Results
    7.6/10(2006 votes)

    #8 - The Results

    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.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writers:Paul Redford, Sang Kyu Kim

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  9. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 9 - The Blueprint
    8.0/10(2006 votes)

    #9 - The Blueprint

    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.

    Director:Richard J. Lewis
    Writers:Michael Russell Gunn, Dana Ledoux Miller

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  10. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 10 - The Oath
    8.5/10(2435 votes)

    #10 - The Oath

    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.

    Director:Frederick E. O. Toye
    Writer:David Guggenheim

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  11. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 11 - Warriors
    8.1/10(1975 votes)

    #11 - Warriors

    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.

    Director:Stephen Surjik
    Writers:Paul Redford, Carol Flint

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  12. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 12 - The End of the Beginning
    8.4/10(2111 votes)

    #12 - The End of the Beginning

    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.

    Director:Mike Listo
    Writer:David Guggenheim

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  13. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 13 - Backfire
    7.5/10(1788 votes)

    #13 - Backfire

    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.

    Director:Tara Nicole Weyr
    Writers:Sang Kyu Kim, Pierluigi D. Cothran

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  14. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 14 - Commander-in-Chief
    7.6/10(1749 votes)

    #14 - Commander-in-Chief

    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.

    Director:Frederick E. O. Toye
    Writer:Michael Russell Gunn

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  15. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 15 - One Hundred Days
    7.3/10(1807 votes)

    #15 - One Hundred Days

    S1:E15

    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.

    Director:Ken Fink
    Writer:Dana Ledoux Miller

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  16. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 16 - Party Lines
    7.3/10(1749 votes)

    #16 - Party Lines

    S1:E16

    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.

    Director:Mike Listo
    Writer:Jenna Richman

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  17. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 17 - The Ninth Seat
    7.5/10(1690 votes)

    #17 - The Ninth Seat

    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.

    Director:Frederick E. O. Toye
    Writer:Paul Redford

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  18. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 18 - Lazarus
    7.4/10(1648 votes)

    #18 - Lazarus

    S1:E18

    As President Kirkman considers candidates for Vice President, Kimble Hookstraten finds herself embroiled in scandal. Agent Wells and Jason Atwood return from North Dakota with a critical new lead while journalist Abe Leonard's investigation takes an unexpected turn.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writer:Jennifer M. Johnson

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  19. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 19 - Misalliance
    7.4/10(1609 votes)

    #19 - Misalliance

    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.

    Director:Norberto Barba
    Writers:Jenna Richman, Dana Ledoux Miller

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  20. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 20 - Bombshell
    7.6/10(1577 votes)

    #20 - Bombshell

    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.

    Director:Sharat Raju
    Writer:Sang Kyu Kim

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  21. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 21 - Brace for Impact
    7.8/10(1746 votes)

    #21 - Brace for Impact

    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.

    Director:Frederick E. O. Toye
    Writer:David Guggenheim

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "Designated Survivor" season 1. It scored 8.1/10 based on 3921 votes. Directed by Paul McGuigan and written by David Guggenheim, it aired on 9/21/2016. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "The First Day".