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The Best Episodes of Designated Survivor Season 2

Every episode of Designated Survivor Season 2 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Designated Survivor Season 2!

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.

Genres:DramaWar & Politics
Networks:ABCNetflix

Season 2 Ratings Summary

The best episode of "Designated Survivor" season 2 is "One Year In", rated 7.1/10 from 1539 user votes. It was directed by Chris Grismer and written by Keith Eisner. "One Year In" aired on 9/27/2017 and is rated 0.1 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Sting of the Tail".

  • One Year In
    7.1/10 1,539 votes

    #1 - 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.

    Director: Chris Grismer

    Writer: Keith Eisner

  • Sting of the Tail
    7.2/10 1,367 votes

    #2 - Sting of the Tail

    Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 10/4/2017

    FBI Agent Hannah 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.

    Director: Fred Toye

    Writer: Keith Eisner

  • Outbreak
    6.9/10 1,371 votes

    #3 - Outbreak

    Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 10/11/2017

    President Kirkman is faced with a viral pandemic that threatens to kill countless Americans; Hannah and Damian discover evidence that could change the lives of members of the first family forever.

    Director: Chris Grismer

    Writer: Ashley Gable

  • Equilibrium
    6.6/10 1,281 votes

    #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 regarding Mexican trade imports. Kirkman and his staff must work quickly to resolve the situation and create a new trade deal.

    Director: Joe Lazarov

    Writer: Paul Redford, Keith Eisner

  • Suckers
    6.9/10 1,225 votes

    #5 - Suckers

    Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 10/25/2017

    Kirkman tries to win back the people's trust after a senator appears on the national news and misrepresents a private conversation he had with the president; MI-6 agent Damian Rennett joins FBI agent Hannah Wells to solve an international murder.

    Director: Fred Gerber

    Writer: Bill Chais

  • Two Ships
    7.3/10 1,175 votes

    #6 - 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.

    Director: Leslie Libman

    Writer: Jessica Grasl

  • Family Ties
    6.8/10 1,264 votes

    #7 - 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.

    Director: Milan Cheylov

    Writer: Pierluigi D. Cothran

  • Home
    7.1/10 1,105 votes

    #8 - 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 U.S., 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.

    Director: Ian Toynton

    Writer: Patrick Cunnane

  • Three-Letter Day
    7.2/10 1,073 votes

    #9 - 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/

    Director: Jeannot Szwarc

    Writer: Ashley Gable, Bill Chais

  • Line of Fire
    7.5/10 1,305 votes

    #10 - Line of Fire

    Season 2 Episode 10 - Aired 12/13/2017

    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. The Season 2 midseason finale.

    Director: Chris Grismer

    Writer: Keith Eisner

  • Grief
    7.1/10 1,073 votes

    #11 - 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.

    Director: Timothy Busfield

    Writer: Keith Eisner

  • The Final Frontier
    6.9/10 1,000 votes

    #12 - 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.

    Director: Sharat Raju

    Writer: Jeff Melvoin

  • Original Sin
    6.9/10 973 votes

    #13 - 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; while a surprise White House demonstration has deeper ties to the president than anyone first realizes.

    Director: Bosede Williams

    Writer: Ashley Gable

  • In the Dark
    6.9/10 980 votes

    #14 - 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.

    Director: Carol Banker

    Writer: Bill Chais

  • Summit
    6.9/10 951 votes

    #15 - 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.

    Director: Chris Grismer

    Writer: Jessica Grasl

  • Fallout
    7.5/10 939 votes

    #16 - 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.

    Director: Joe Lazarov

    Writer: Tom Garrigus

  • Overkill
    7.2/10 931 votes

    #17 - 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.

    Director: Jeff Thomas

    Writer: Jeff Melvoin, Tracey Rice

  • Kirkman Agonistes
    7.5/10 939 votes

    #18 - 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

    Director: Leslie Libman

    Writer: Pierluigi D. Cothran, Patrick Cunnane

  • Capacity
    7.4/10 927 votes

    #19 - 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.

    Director: David Warry-Smith

    Writer: Keith Eisner

  • Bad Reception
    7.5/10 911 votes

    #20 - 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.

    Director: Chris Grismer

    Writer: Tom Garrigus, Jessica Grasl

  • Target
    7.2/10 875 votes

    #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.

    Director: Timothy Busfield

    Writer: Ashley Gable, Bill Chais

  • Run
    7.5/10 975 votes

    #22 - 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.

    Director: Chris Grismer

    Writer: Keith Eisner