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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 8.5/10

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 4 - #makehistory
    6.5/10(1224 votes)

    #1 - #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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  2. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 4 - Equilibrium
    6.6/10(1358 votes)

    #2 - 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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  3. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 7 - Family Ties
    6.8/10(1335 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 3 - Outbreak
    6.9/10(1450 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 5 - Suckers
    6.9/10(1297 votes)

    #5 - 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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  6. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 12 - The Final Frontier
    6.9/10(1066 votes)

    #6 - 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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  7. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 13 - Original Sin
    6.9/10(1036 votes)

    #7 - 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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  8. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 14 - In the Dark
    6.9/10(1046 votes)

    #8 - 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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  9. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 15 - Summit
    6.9/10(1024 votes)

    #9 - 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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  10. Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 2 - #slipperyslope
    7.0/10(1173 votes)

    #10 - #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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  11. Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 5 - #nothingpersonal
    7.0/10(1064 votes)

    #11 - #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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  12. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 1 - One Year In
    7.1/10(1625 votes)

    #12 - One Year In

    S2:E1

    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

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  13. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 11 - Grief
    7.1/10(1143 votes)

    #13 - 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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  14. Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 3 - #privacyplease
    7.1/10(1191 votes)

    #14 - #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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  15. Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 6 - #whocares
    7.1/10(1018 votes)

    #15 - #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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  16. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 2 - Sting of the Tail
    7.2/10(1448 votes)

    #16 - Sting of the Tail

    S2:E2

    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:Frederick E. O. Toye
    Writer:Keith Eisner

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  17. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 8 - Home
    7.2/10(1175 votes)

    #17 - 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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  18. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 9 - Three-Letter Day
    7.2/10(1143 votes)

    #18 - 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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  19. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 17 - Overkill
    7.2/10(995 votes)

    #19 - 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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  20. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 21 - Target
    7.2/10(945 votes)

    #20 - 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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  21. Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 1 - #thesystemisbroken
    7.2/10(1361 votes)

    #21 - #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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  22. Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 7 - #identity/crisis
    7.2/10(1083 votes)

    #22 - #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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  23. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 15 - One Hundred Days
    7.3/10(1800 votes)

    #23 - 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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  24. Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 16 - Party Lines
    7.3/10(1739 votes)

    #24 - 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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  25. Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 6 - Two Ships
    7.3/10(1245 votes)

    #25 - Two Ships

    S2:E6

    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

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Worst Episodes Summary

"#makehistory" is the worst rated episode of "Designated Survivor". It scored 6.5/10 based on 1224 votes. Directed by Chris Grismer and written by Ricardo Pérez González, it aired on 6/7/2019. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Equilibrium".