The Best Episodes of Designated Survivor Season 1

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   7.6/10(45 votes)

   #1 - Pilot

   S1:E19/21/2016

   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.

   Director:Paul McGuigan

   Writer:David Guggenheim

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   Director:Paul McGuigan

   Writer:David Guggenheim
2. 

   7.0/10(27 votes)

   #2 - The First Day

   S1:E29/28/2016

   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.

   Director:Brad Turner

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Brad Turner

   Writer:Unknown
3. 

   7.1/10(26 votes)

   #3 - The Confession

   S1:E310/5/2016

   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.

   Director:Sergio Mimica-Gezzan

   Writers:Paul Redford, Jennifer M. Johnson

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   Director:Sergio Mimica-Gezzan

   Writers:Paul Redford, Jennifer M. Johnson
4. 

   7.5/10(22 votes)

   #4 - The Enemy

   S1:E410/12/2016

   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.

   Director:Paul A. Edwards

   Writers:Dana Ledoux Miller, Jon Harmon Feldman

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   Director:Paul A. Edwards

   Writers:Dana Ledoux Miller, Jon Harmon Feldman
5. 

   7.1/10(21 votes)

   #5 - The Mission

   S1:E510/26/2016

   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.

   Director:Paul A. Edwards

   Writers:Michael Russell Gunn, Sang Kyu Kim

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   Director:Paul A. Edwards

   Writers:Michael Russell Gunn, Sang Kyu Kim
6. 

   7.0/10(21 votes)

   #6 - The Interrogation

   S1:E611/9/2016

   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.

   Director:Michael Katleman

   Writers:Jenna Richman, Barbie Kligman

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   Director:Michael Katleman

   Writers:Jenna Richman, Barbie Kligman
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7. 

   7.5/10(19 votes)

   #7 - The Traitor

   S1:E711/16/2016

   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.

   Director:Frederick E. O. Toye

   Writers:Michael Russell Gunn, Jennifer M. Johnson

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   Director:Frederick E. O. Toye

   Writers:Michael Russell Gunn, Jennifer M. Johnson
8. 

   7.0/10(18 votes)

   #8 - The Results

   S1:E811/30/2016

   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.

   Director:Chris Grismer

   Writers:Paul Redford, Sang Kyu Kim

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   Director:Chris Grismer

   Writers:Paul Redford, Sang Kyu Kim
9. 

   7.5/10(17 votes)

   #9 - The Blueprint

   S1:E912/7/2016

   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.

   Director:Richard J. Lewis

   Writers:Michael Russell Gunn, Dana Ledoux Miller

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   Director:Richard J. Lewis

   Writers:Michael Russell Gunn, Dana Ledoux Miller
10. 

    7.9/10(17 votes)

    #10 - The Oath

    S1:E1012/14/2016

    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.

    Director:Frederick E. O. Toye

    Writer:David Guggenheim

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    Director:Frederick E. O. Toye

    Writer:David Guggenheim
11. 

    7.5/10(17 votes)

    #11 - Warriors

    S1:E113/8/2017

    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.

    Director:Stephen Surjik

    Writers:Paul Redford, Carol Flint

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    Director:Stephen Surjik

    Writers:Paul Redford, Carol Flint
12. 

    7.8/10(20 votes)

    #12 - The End of the Beginning

    S1:E123/15/2017

    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.

    Director:Mike Listo

    Writer:David Guggenheim

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    Director:Mike Listo

    Writer:David Guggenheim
13. 

    7.2/10(18 votes)

    #13 - Backfire

    S1:E133/22/2017

    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.

    Director:Tara Nicole Weyr

    Writers:Sang Kyu Kim, Pierluigi D. Cothran

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    Director:Tara Nicole Weyr

    Writers:Sang Kyu Kim, Pierluigi D. Cothran
14. 

    7.1/10(18 votes)

    #14 - Commander-in-Chief

    S1:E143/29/2017

    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.

    Director:Frederick E. O. Toye

    Writer:Michael Russell Gunn

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    Director:Frederick E. O. Toye

    Writer:Michael Russell Gunn
15. 

    6.9/10(17 votes)

    #15 - One Hundred Days

    S1:E154/5/2017

    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.

    Director:Ken Fink

    Writer:Dana Ledoux Miller

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    Director:Ken Fink

    Writer:Dana Ledoux Miller
16. 

    6.9/10(17 votes)

    #16 - Party Lines

    S1:E164/12/2017

    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.

    Director:Mike Listo

    Writer:Jenna Richman

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    Director:Mike Listo

    Writer:Jenna Richman
17. 

    7.2/10(17 votes)

    #17 - The Ninth Seat

    S1:E174/19/2017

    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.

    Director:Frederick E. O. Toye

    Writer:Paul Redford

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    Director:Frederick E. O. Toye

    Writer:Paul Redford
18. 

    7.0/10(17 votes)

    #18 - Lazarus

    S1:E184/26/2017

    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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    Director:Chris Grismer

    Writer:Jennifer M. Johnson
19. 

    7.0/10(16 votes)

    #19 - Misalliance

    S1:E195/3/2017

    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.

    Director:Norberto Barba

    Writers:Jenna Richman, Dana Ledoux Miller

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    Director:Norberto Barba

    Writers:Jenna Richman, Dana Ledoux Miller
20. 

    7.1/10(16 votes)

    #20 - Bombshell

    S1:E205/10/2017

    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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    Director:Sharat Raju

    Writer:Sang Kyu Kim
21. 

    6.8/10(18 votes)

    #21 - Brace for Impact

    S1:E215/17/2017

    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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    Director:Frederick E. O. Toye

    Writer:David Guggenheim