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 everyone above him in the Presidential line of succession.
Lowest Rated Episodes Summary
The worst episode of "Designated Survivor" is "Equilibrium", rated 6.6/10 from 1282 user votes. It was directed by Joe Lazarov and written by Paul Redford, Keith Eisner. "Equilibrium" aired on 10/18/2017 and is rated 0.0 point(s) lower than the second lowest rated, "#makehistory".
6.6/10 1,282 votes#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
6.6/10 1,117 votes#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
6.8/10 1,265 votes#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
6.9/10 1,371 votes#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
6.9/10 1,226 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
6.9/10 1,002 votes#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
6.9/10 975 votes#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
6.9/10 982 votes#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
6.9/10 953 votes#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
7.1/10 1,539 votes#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
7.1/10 1,074 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
7.1/10 1,085 votes#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
7.1/10 968 votes#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
7.2/10 1,367 votes#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
7.2/10 1,106 votes#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
7.2/10 1,074 votes#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
7.2/10 933 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
7.2/10 876 votes#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
7.2/10 1,089 votes#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
7.2/10 938 votes#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
7.3/10 1,706 votes#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
7.3/10 1,641 votes#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
7.3/10 1,551 votes#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
7.3/10 1,176 votes#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
7.3/10 1,265 votes#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