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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!

Binge this in 1d 15h•Peaking at 7.9/10

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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  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 10 - #truthorconsequences
    4.7/10(9 votes)

    #1 - #truthorconsequences

    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.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writer:Peter Noah

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  2. Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 4 - #makehistory
    4.9/10(9 votes)

    #2 - #makehistory

    S3:E4

    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

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  3. Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 7 - #identity/crisis
    5.0/10(10 votes)

    #3 - #identity/crisis

    S3:E7

    A stray Russian bomber jeopardizes Seattle, Mars crusades against a drug company, and an event from Aaron's childhood vexes Kirkman's campaign.

    Director:Sudz Sutherland
    Writer:Adam Stein

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  4. Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 8 - #scaredsh*tless
    5.0/10(8 votes)

    #4 - #scaredsh*tless

    S3:E8

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

    Director:Sudz Sutherland
    Writers:Kendra Chanae Chapman, Ricardo Pérez González

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  5. Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 9 - #undecided
    5.1/10(8 votes)

    #5 - #undecided

    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.

    Director:Peter Leto
    Writer:Dawn DeNoon

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  6. Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 5 - #nothingpersonal
    5.2/10(9 votes)

    #6 - #nothingpersonal

    S3:E5

    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

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  7. Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 6 - #whocares
    5.2/10(9 votes)

    #7 - #whocares

    S3:E6

    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

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  8. Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 1 - #thesystemisbroken
    5.3/10(16 votes)

    #8 - #thesystemisbroken

    S3:E1

    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

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  9. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 22 - Run
    5.4/10(8 votes)

    #9 - Run

    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.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writer:Keith Eisner

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  10. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 12 - The Final Frontier
    5.6/10(11 votes)

    #10 - The Final Frontier

    S2:E12

    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

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  11. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 13 - Original Sin
    5.6/10(11 votes)

    #11 - Original Sin

    S2:E13

    When a video of the president visiting prison leaks to the media, his team works to minimize the fallout. A surprise White House demonstration has deeper ties to the president than anyone first realizes.

    Director:Bosede Williams
    Writer:Ashley Gable

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  12. Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 2 - #slipperyslope
    5.7/10(13 votes)

    #12 - #slipperyslope

    S3:E2

    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

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  13. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 9 - Three-Letter Day
    5.9/10(11 votes)

    #13 - Three-Letter Day

    S2:E9

    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
    Writers:Ashley Gable, Bill Chais

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  14. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 21 - Target
    5.9/10(7 votes)

    #14 - Target

    S2:E21

    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
    Writers:Ashley Gable, Bill Chais

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  15. Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 3 - #privacyplease
    5.9/10(10 votes)

    #15 - #privacyplease

    S3:E3

    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

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  16. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 7 - Family Ties
    6.0/10(9 votes)

    #16 - Family Ties

    S2:E7

    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

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  17. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 11 - Grief
    6.0/10(14 votes)

    #17 - Grief

    S2:E11

    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

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  18. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 14 - In the Dark
    6.0/10(8 votes)

    #18 - In the Dark

    S2:E14

    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

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  19. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 15 - Summit
    6.0/10(8 votes)

    #19 - Summit

    S2:E15

    As tensions between East and West Hun Chiu 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

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  20. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 20 - Bad Reception
    6.0/10(7 votes)

    #20 - Bad Reception

    S2:E20

    President Kirkman negotiates with a foreign government to release an American held overseas, while attorney Ethan West continues his investigation.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writers:Tom Garrigus, Jessica Grasl

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  21. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 18 - Kirkman Agonistes
    6.1/10(8 votes)

    #21 - Kirkman Agonistes

    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.

    Director:Leslie Libman
    Writers:Pierluigi D. Cothran, Patrick Cunnane

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  22. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 10 - Line of Fire
    6.2/10(13 votes)

    #22 - Line of Fire

    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.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writer:Keith Eisner

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  23. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 17 - Overkill
    6.2/10(8 votes)

    #23 - Overkill

    S2:E17

    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
    Writers:Jeff Melvoin, Tracey Rice

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  24. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 19 - Capacity
    6.2/10(8 votes)

    #24 - Capacity

    S2:E19

    Attorney Ethan West calls on President Kirkman's closest advisors and staff as he begins his investigation.

    Director:David Warry-Smith
    Writer:Keith Eisner

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  25. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 8 - Home
    6.4/10(9 votes)

    #25 - Home

    S2:E8

    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

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Worst Episodes Summary

"#truthorconsequences" is the worst rated episode of "Designated Survivor". It scored 4.7/10 based on 9 votes. Directed by Chris Grismer and written by Peter Noah, it aired on 6/7/2019. This episode scored 0.2 points lower than the second lowest rated, "#makehistory".