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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
    4.1/10(8 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
    4.6/10(8 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
    4.6/10(9 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
    4.6/10(7 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
    4.6/10(7 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
    4.7/10(8 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
    4.9/10(7 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
    5.0/10(15 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 3 Episode 2 - #slipperyslope
    5.3/10(12 votes)

    #9 - #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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  10. Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 3 - #privacyplease
    5.7/10(9 votes)

    #10 - #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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  11. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 4 - Equilibrium
    6.6/10(1360 votes)

    #11 - Equilibrium

    S2:E4

    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
    Writers:Paul Redford, Keith Eisner

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  12. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 21 - Brace for Impact
    6.8/10(18 votes)

    #12 - Brace for Impact

    S1:E21

    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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  13. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 7 - Family Ties
    6.8/10(1337 votes)

    #13 - 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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  14. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 15 - One Hundred Days
    6.9/10(17 votes)

    #14 - One Hundred Days

    S1:E15

    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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  15. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 16 - Party Lines
    6.9/10(17 votes)

    #15 - Party Lines

    S1:E16

    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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  16. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 3 - Outbreak
    6.9/10(1452 votes)

    #16 - Outbreak

    S2:E3

    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

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  17. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 5 - Suckers
    6.9/10(1299 votes)

    #17 - Suckers

    S2:E5

    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

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  18. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 12 - The Final Frontier
    6.9/10(1067 votes)

    #18 - 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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  19. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 13 - Original Sin
    6.9/10(1037 votes)

    #19 - 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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  20. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 14 - In the Dark
    6.9/10(1047 votes)

    #20 - 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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  21. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 15 - Summit
    6.9/10(1025 votes)

    #21 - 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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  22. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 2 - The First Day
    7.0/10(27 votes)

    #22 - The First Day

    S1:E2

    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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  23. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 6 - The Interrogation
    7.0/10(21 votes)

    #23 - The Interrogation

    S1:E6

    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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  24. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 8 - The Results
    7.0/10(18 votes)

    #24 - The Results

    S1:E8

    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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  25. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 18 - Lazarus
    7.0/10(17 votes)

    #25 - Lazarus

    S1:E18

    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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Worst Episodes Summary

"#truthorconsequences" is the worst rated episode of "Designated Survivor". It scored 4.1/10 based on 8 votes. Directed by Chris Grismer and written by Peter Noah, it aired on 6/7/2019. This episode scored 0.5 points lower than the second lowest rated, "#makehistory".