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The Worst Episodes of Designated Survivor

Every episode of Designated Survivor ranked from worst to best. Explore 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...
Genres:DramaWar & Politics
Networks:ABCNetflix

Worst Episodes Summary

"Equilibrium" is the worst rated episode of "Designated Survivor". It scored 6.6/10 based on 1294 votes. Directed by Joe Lazarov and written by Paul Redford, Keith Eisner, it aired on 10/18/2017. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "#makehistory".

  • Equilibrium
    6.6/101,294 votes
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    #1 - 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

  • #makehistory
    6.6/101,140 votes
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    #2 - #makehistory

    Season 3 Episode 4 - Aired 6/7/2019

    Aaron's heritage and a widespread teachers' strike become polarizing issues, and Wells discovers a sinister pattern in a flu outbreak.

    Director: Chris Grismer

    Writer: Ricardo Pérez González

  • Family Ties
    6.8/101,278 votes
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    #3 - 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

  • Outbreak
    6.9/101,384 votes
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    #4 - 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

  • Suckers
    6.9/101,237 votes
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    #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

  • The Final Frontier
    6.9/101,014 votes
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    #6 - 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
    6.9/10987 votes
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    #7 - 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
    6.9/10995 votes
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    #8 - 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
    6.9/10966 votes
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    #9 - 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

  • One Year In
    7.1/101,554 votes
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    #10 - 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

  • Grief
    7.1/101,087 votes
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    #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

  • #slipperyslope
    7.1/101,103 votes
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    #12 - #slipperyslope

    Season 3 Episode 2 - Aired 6/7/2019

    A heated debate over child marriage roils Kirkman's staff. Opioid addiction hits home for Mars. A biohacker turns Wells onto a chilling new threat.

    Director: Peter Leto

    Writer: Dawn DeNoon

  • #nothingpersonal
    7.1/10991 votes
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    #13 - #nothingpersonal

    Season 3 Episode 5 - Aired 6/7/2019

    Emotions run high after despicable fake news goes viral, Isabel makes waves with a controversial appeal, and Wells finds a clue pointing to conspiracy.

    Director: Peter Leto

    Writer: Kendra Chanae Chapman

  • Sting of the Tail
    7.2/101,380 votes
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    #14 - 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

  • Home
    7.2/101,119 votes
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    #15 - 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
    7.2/101,089 votes
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    #16 - 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

  • Overkill
    7.2/10947 votes
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    #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

  • Target
    7.2/10897 votes
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    #18 - 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

  • #privacyplease
    7.2/101,110 votes
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    #19 - #privacyplease

    Season 3 Episode 3 - Aired 6/7/2019

    A political attack on Kirkman puts privacy and transgender rights in the spotlight. Aaron weighs a major decision. Wells and Eli track a bioterrorist.

    Director: Timothy Busfield

    Writer: Peter Noah

  • #whocares
    7.2/10955 votes
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    #20 - #whocares

    Season 3 Episode 6 - Aired 6/7/2019

    A dying Guatemalan child in a Texas hospital brings immigration to the fore. A mugging opens Kirkman's eyes to the realities of life in the capital.

    Director: Chris Grismer

    Writer: Drew Westcott

  • One Hundred Days
    7.3/101,722 votes
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    #21 - One Hundred Days

    Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 4/5/2017

    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

  • Party Lines
    7.3/101,654 votes
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    #22 - Party Lines

    Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 4/12/2017

    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

  • Lazarus
    7.3/101,564 votes
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    #23 - Lazarus

    Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 4/26/2017

    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 Johnson

  • Two Ships
    7.3/101,187 votes
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    #24 - 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

  • #thesystemisbroken
    7.3/101,286 votes
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    #25 - #thesystemisbroken

    Season 3 Episode 1 - Aired 6/7/2019

    Now running for office for the first time, Kirkman and his nascent campaign stumble out of the gate. Wells gets a critical reassignment.

    Director: Chris Grismer

    Writer: Adam Stein