Designated Survivor

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Season 1
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 254 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 162 out of 254
  2. Mixed: 38 out of 254
  3. Negative: 54 out of 254
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  1. Dzimas
    Oct 4, 2016
    3
    This series has lost me from the start. It is such an absurd premise that to play it seriously is to blow a golden opportunity to have a lot fun. Instead, we see a sadly earnest attempt to make a bureaucrat into a President, somewhat along the lines of Dave but with less than satisfying results. Kiefer Sutherland is virtually unrecognizable in his attempt to play President Tom KirklandThis series has lost me from the start. It is such an absurd premise that to play it seriously is to blow a golden opportunity to have a lot fun. Instead, we see a sadly earnest attempt to make a bureaucrat into a President, somewhat along the lines of Dave but with less than satisfying results. Kiefer Sutherland is virtually unrecognizable in his attempt to play President Tom Kirkland straight up. The creators literally could have gotten anyone to play the role given how non-descript their character is. But, what really sinks this series is the utter lack of conflict in the first two episodes.

    The United States should be a nation in total chaos, It has lost virtually the entire executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, but the creators are treating it like 911. Washington, DC, would have immediately been cordoned off. No one would have been allowed to go in or out with a tight military net surrounding the city. States would have been in total confusion, not just Michigan. There would have been a run on the banks like never seen before and I well imagine all the Doomsday Preppers would have been taking to the woods or wherever they have their private stashes. More likely than not, the military would take have declared martial law.

    Kiefer Sutherland inspires absolutely no confidence in his role. Part of that is intentional the other is just poor writing. His standoffs ring hollow, especially with general. The asides with his wife and advisers aren't very effective and the scene of all the carnage looks like something out of a badly dated video game. What follows looks like it will be a bad copy of West Wing as the new President slowly builds a cabinet to deal with the crisis.

    It's too bad given all the possibilities the scenario has to offer.    … Expand
  2. goforgold
    Oct 16, 2016
    3
    Designated Survivor is another typical major network drama--long on preaching political correctness and diversity, short on substance. Anyone who produces and/or directs a network drama could learn a lot from, for example, Netflix (The Killings, Narcos, The Fall, or Hell on Wheels). Designated just reconfirms for me why I don't watch network television. Cheap and highly predictable.
  3. bob516
    Oct 2, 2016
    1
    If this show was on AMC or FX, where they are not afraid of an edgy storyline, without the heavy melodrama, I probably would have really liked it. There are moments where I find the story interesting, but then I am turned off by the 'laying it on thick' scenes of someone dealing with the loss of a loved one, or extreme family issues. I had to work to get through two episodes, to not letIf this show was on AMC or FX, where they are not afraid of an edgy storyline, without the heavy melodrama, I probably would have really liked it. There are moments where I find the story interesting, but then I am turned off by the 'laying it on thick' scenes of someone dealing with the loss of a loved one, or extreme family issues. I had to work to get through two episodes, to not let hackneyed parts drag me down. Unfortunately, I could not. Only because there are moments of grown-up writing in this , I will give it a 1.… Expand
  4. noonesfo
    Nov 11, 2016
    0
    I started watching because I liked Kiefer Sutherland in 24, but this is
    a big snooze.
    Both my husband and I have fallen asleep while trying to watch this. So many overly predictable plot lines - the evil governor who locks up Muslims, the oh so good immigration attorney who champions Syrians, the very bad rebellious teenager, the backstabbing politicians.... The most    I started watching because I liked Kiefer Sutherland in 24, but this is
    a big snooze.

    Both my husband and I have fallen asleep while trying to
    watch this. So many overly predictable plot lines - the evil governor
    who locks up Muslims, the oh so good immigration attorney who champions
    Syrians, the very bad rebellious teenager, the backstabbing
    politicians....

    The most entertainment I got out of this show was
    predicting the upcoming lines. Sorry, I tried, but it is too boring. Good idea but poor execution. And as good as Sutherland was in 24 is as bad as he is in this.    … Expand
  5. MSMstrikesAgain
    Jun 4, 2017
    1
    It took ABC Studios 10 episodes to reveal the true story line of this show: Dress up a liberal agenda and roll it out under the guise of a 'Registered Independent', all to fight the Alt-Right that will stop at nothing to restore the USA to their version of what's right. A novel idea - were it not for the fact that ABC News and the rest of the MSM (main stream media) is playing this sameIt took ABC Studios 10 episodes to reveal the true story line of this show: Dress up a liberal agenda and roll it out under the guise of a 'Registered Independent', all to fight the Alt-Right that will stop at nothing to restore the USA to their version of what's right. A novel idea - were it not for the fact that ABC News and the rest of the MSM (main stream media) is playing this same story every day, ad nauseam. If nothing else, this show merely shows how pervasive the liberal left is at furthering their intolerant view of what's right, at the expense of the viewers like this author who turn to series like this for a break from the news.

    Find a better story line which doesn't insult the intelligence of the nation at large.    … Expand
  6. trom
    Dec 10, 2016
    1
    Can you spot the clues to the real mystery: how does this dross get such a high metascore? Surely KS has earned enough to risk doing something really interesting or retire. Such poor writing, such awful plot lines, point and click performances. 1 point for the initial idea. Nothing for the idiots who approved a full season of 22 episodes.
  7. giveita10
    Jun 5, 2017
    0
    If you like watching C-Span but sometimes it gets a little too exciting, try this show. If you hate plot twists, Designated Survivor is the flick for you! There will be absolutely no surprises, and in addition, everywhere the writers can create forced drama, they will. If you think Antifa protesters are too articulate, try Tom Kirkman! Tom is the new president. He's an independent, butIf you like watching C-Span but sometimes it gets a little too exciting, try this show. If you hate plot twists, Designated Survivor is the flick for you! There will be absolutely no surprises, and in addition, everywhere the writers can create forced drama, they will. If you think Antifa protesters are too articulate, try Tom Kirkman! Tom is the new president. He's an independent, but actually a liberal. He works really well with the leader of the Republican party, who is also a liberal. The Democrats show up from time to time too, but they always agree with Tom, because, naturally, they are liberal too. Is a cabal of diabolical white people trying to take down your government? It's time for Gun Control! Is there a threat that the same organization that blew up the Capitol will strike again? Music funding for middle school band! What's the most pressing issue? Unilateral nuclear arms reduction!

    TL;DR This show sucks.    … Expand
  8. santiagodraco
    Oct 13, 2016
    4
    Just not feeling it.

    So many far fetched and intetionally sensational scenarios that push suspension of disbelief beyond reasonable limits. Generals that talk and act like 2 year olds. Governors that seem to think it's the 60s all over again. Over and over. This show is, unfortunately, getting tiring already.
  9. HOTSPUR
    Nov 27, 2016
    0
    This is a very disappointing effort, with some very tired formulaic US soap-style acting and cardboard cut-out characters (with the exception of Sutherland), e.g. a look-at-me FBI agent, who never has a hair out of place. Very unconvincing stuff. Compare this with the excellent Norwegian political thriller Occupied
  10. itsobs
    Mar 26, 2017
    1
    So cheesy and cliche, who did the writing? The first lady's acting is just terrible.

    Is this a kid's show? It's like a dumbed-down version of House of Cards
  11. nwbaird
    Oct 4, 2017
    3
    Imagine if 24 and Commander in Chief had a baby and dropped it on its head. There is so much one wants to like about this program. The unique premise is implausibly executed. The solid cast drowns in a shallow pool of cliches and platitudes. Designated Survivor can't decide if it wants to be action adventure or political drama and it does neither well.
  12. carrabella
    Oct 4, 2016
    1
    I agree with Dzimas and dukesnyd. Just seems to be a completely unrealistic portrayal of what Washington should be experiencing . And there's no way that I can suspend my frustrations with the plot deficiencies when Keifer continues his whispering. And come on, writers: why not base his first real act of leadership--curbing an overzealous governor--on some brilliant (or even accidental)I agree with Dzimas and dukesnyd. Just seems to be a completely unrealistic portrayal of what Washington should be experiencing . And there's no way that I can suspend my frustrations with the plot deficiencies when Keifer continues his whispering. And come on, writers: why not base his first real act of leadership--curbing an overzealous governor--on some brilliant (or even accidental) insight into his constitutional power, instead of on his ability to develop a convenient lie.… Expand
  13. mbergz
    Nov 15, 2016
    5
    Can they please stop saying, "with all due respect" every 20 minutes? And why isn't the country in total chaos? It makes no sense to be talking about Syrian Refugees at all! And the governors interrogating the president? ahhhh! I think I've given this show enough of my attention. Back to 24 reruns.
  14. Cromm
    Oct 17, 2017
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Oh dear, what has happened? Series one was fun and momentum-fuelled. Series two attempts to ramp up the West Wing / House of Cards pretensions and fails, whilst maintaining the investigative threads as a sideshow and introducing overblown episodic scenarios (the airline hostage situation, for example) that have crass personal connections levered in with no subtlety. The super-baddy is reduced to a whining sociopath within 2 episodes and the scripts need some serious work. Clumsy attempts to generate "will-they-won't-they" in the White House, or the mock-friction between the guys in the investigative team left me laughing rather than intrigued. Oh dear, this series is going down the pan.… Expand
  15. jeremyp
    Nov 18, 2016
    6
    What starts off well all too soon veers into familiar prime time simplistic plot lines and ludicrous scenarios. If Madame Secretary is written for middle schoolers this is for high school frosh. The average voter can follow along and it is condescendingly plot twisty enough to make people think they are being immersed in the world of high brow television, but it's just a meandering taleWhat starts off well all too soon veers into familiar prime time simplistic plot lines and ludicrous scenarios. If Madame Secretary is written for middle schoolers this is for high school frosh. The average voter can follow along and it is condescendingly plot twisty enough to make people think they are being immersed in the world of high brow television, but it's just a meandering tale dressed up to look like Homeland. We all know that Kiefer's POTUS will soon enough morph from mid west joe into Jack Bauer.… Expand
  16. RichardGonci
    Apr 14, 2017
    4
    Geez, just wanna like anything that Kiefer Sutherland stars in (and produces.) But, the writing for this show is so puerile and sophomoric that I want to use it when I teach, as in "How not to do it!" I'm pretty sure some members of this cast could deliver better lines improvisationally! When Kiefer speaks as the President, he is so wooden you would think there was a 2x4 up his sphincter!Geez, just wanna like anything that Kiefer Sutherland stars in (and produces.) But, the writing for this show is so puerile and sophomoric that I want to use it when I teach, as in "How not to do it!" I'm pretty sure some members of this cast could deliver better lines improvisationally! When Kiefer speaks as the President, he is so wooden you would think there was a 2x4 up his sphincter! Kiefer doesn't do "inspirational." He's not his father (the truly great Donald Sutherland.) He does action. I will keep watching because the side plots are engaging, but also stupid, as in unassisted assaults. BTW, I totally agree a with previous reviewer named "robmixalot!" Except he used an accent grave over the word "cliche," instead of the proper accent aigu. But, as an award-winning 3D-HD creative director, I also must agree with his evaluation of the SFX... third-rate junk! But, again, I am a hopeless junkie who will keep watching this show. BTW, the middle-aged Republican leader of the House is hotter than Kiefer's own wife who looks a bit like a "Stepford Wife!"… Expand
  17. virginiaproud
    May 13, 2017
    1
    From an interesting premise and strong start, this show has progressively lost its way. The talented are actors doing their best to deliver progressively sillier scenes while maintaining very serious expressions.
  18. kingjay
    Oct 27, 2017
    4
    The show started nicely in season 1 but has become a downwards spiraling trainwreck since. Poison attack! Politician shot! Every episode needs another crisis. And an the other hand some really awful 'humor' with Lyor. It's really, really, really bad.
  19. ShaMana
    Mar 29, 2018
    4
    Started fairly promising, political intrigue, a mystery and a conspiracy which all wen't nowhere! At this point the show is "I love him and she isn't sure" and "AMERICA HELL YEAH" we solve everything with a mediocre motivational speech. I'm out
  20. EPMD
    May 5, 2017
    5
    The original premise for the show was very interesting. They could have blown that out into 10+ episodes of solid TV, but the writers had other ideas. They piled on crisis after crisis, and the writing just hasn't been good enough to pull off that degree of difficulty. The dialogue and twists are cheesy and eyeroll-inducing. The show is guilty of lecturing its audience in a way that WestThe original premise for the show was very interesting. They could have blown that out into 10+ episodes of solid TV, but the writers had other ideas. They piled on crisis after crisis, and the writing just hasn't been good enough to pull off that degree of difficulty. The dialogue and twists are cheesy and eyeroll-inducing. The show is guilty of lecturing its audience in a way that West Wing only sometimes got away with. There aren't enough positive moments. It's just a giant tragedy with way too many music-swelling moments and crappy dialogue.… Expand
  21. trash-46645
    Nov 9, 2017
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The show started off okay but steadily turned worse as you go through the plot. It might have been a good 2h spy-thriller movie if handled a bit differently I guess but it does not work very well as a series. I guess it has to do with the shows premise which sounds good on paper but when you actually see it just turns out dull after a while. But it gets worse. I managed to get to 18th episode and by that time it turned from dull to dumb, which is much worse. I expected to get some interesting conspiracy or perhaps some foreign power that was behind the attack, not a bunch of fascist rednecks. The show completely lost me at that point and I have no interest in watching more.… Expand
  22. Healthynewme
    Sep 26, 2017
    1
    MONTANANS DON'T HAVE SOUTHERN ACCENTS! Please show some respect for actors from Montana like Dana Carvey, Brad Bird, Gary Cooper and Ted Kaczynski (just kidding about Kaczynski). Please get to facts on a group of people before you portray them. That being said, I love the plot. Getting tired of pushing political ideals. We have had enough of that from Holywood. Please do what you do best,MONTANANS DON'T HAVE SOUTHERN ACCENTS! Please show some respect for actors from Montana like Dana Carvey, Brad Bird, Gary Cooper and Ted Kaczynski (just kidding about Kaczynski). Please get to facts on a group of people before you portray them. That being said, I love the plot. Getting tired of pushing political ideals. We have had enough of that from Holywood. Please do what you do best, entertainment. If you want to push politics, run for office.… Expand
  23. drraj90
    May 2, 2018
    3
    Poor research for a program that claims to do global diplomacy. The Bhutan ambassador said "Selamat Malam" to Kirkman at a dinner.
    That is "good night' in the Malay language and not even remotely Bhutanese, whose language is Dzongkha.
    Bad fail.
  24. calumnias
    May 20, 2018
    3
    It's like 24 and The West Wing had a retarded child. Interesting starting point, but pretty bad execution.
  25. robmixalot
    Oct 4, 2016
    3
    I really wanted to like this show.

    But the writing is SO cheesy. It's so clichè.
    The special effects are cheap and henceforth humorous.

    But the writing...

    Is everyone else not watching the same show?!
  26. gmillerdoc
    Nov 1, 2016
    2
    This is a poorly written heavy handed approach, and, I believe, an embarrassment for Kiefer Sutherland coming off an outstanding series like 24. The expected family issues are poorly conveyed and simply raised as a means to an unimportant end. This was poorly executed. The problems the new president faces is also sickeningly simple minded using heavy handed brutish political broad strokes,This is a poorly written heavy handed approach, and, I believe, an embarrassment for Kiefer Sutherland coming off an outstanding series like 24. The expected family issues are poorly conveyed and simply raised as a means to an unimportant end. This was poorly executed. The problems the new president faces is also sickeningly simple minded using heavy handed brutish political broad strokes, assuming a bigoted governor, muslim hatred, a general out to take over before even vetting this new President, a wily conniving congressional designated survivor, the improvised bomb chamber. Who wrote this drivel? Please focus on the real inevitable human drama and real strategic issues and don't come into this with a clear political agenda: the good president, the conniving female other designated survivor, the pushy, treacherous general. Uch. I can't believe Mr Sutherland is allowing these hack writers tarnish his reputation with such poor writing. Even the scene with the seals was staged or crafted in such an obvious way that it has to make one want to puke--and that is sad. The reason for two stars is that it is interesting enough to try to watch, considering the hope that someone will try to bring this out of the garbage and add some sheen to it. It does have Kiefer Sutherland in it, and he can shine if given decent material.… Expand
  27. FelipeZapata
    Dec 28, 2016
    1
    I made it to show No. 6 before throwing up my hands and giving up. This series is endless left-wing political propaganda, specifically pushing the open-borders agenda that says sweet things about immigration in general and Mohammedan immigration in particular. If that's what you're looking for, this show is for you. It's not for me.
  28. vanmombo
    Mar 9, 2017
    1
    I had hoped the plot would get better this season. Still the same, all bad news. I think if the good guys took a step forward once in awhile at least it would make it a little interesting. I actually turned it off last episode. We have enough bad news on the news stations!!
  29. JungleWise
    Oct 26, 2016
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Contains Spoilers
    I was intrigued by the premise. Total destruction of Washington DC and most members of the government. What is going to happen next?! However the intrigue in ground to a complete halt in episode 2, and the series turns into a liberal propaganda vehicle. We see absurd stereotypes everywhere: the WHITE cops giving the BROWN-SKINNED guy a hard time, merely because he's not white. Please. Is Hitlery Clinton funding paying for this series. It's so unbalanced it's embarrassing.
    With a great premise, this could have been as good or better than Mr. Robot -- what happens when large social institutions collapse. Instead, we get liberal-politics disguised as a serious drama. Sutherland should be ashamed. His prior series "Touch" was have way decent. Designated Stranger sucks. And please, Sutherland, stop whispering -- it's really annoying.    … Expand
  30. Rjd707
    Dec 9, 2016
    1
    OK...I am not one to write reviews, but this show is so poorly written, so unbelievable, so poorly cast, and so incredibly bias that I had to creat an ID and sign up to this site to write a review.
    This show is basically insulting to the intelligence of it's audience. The writing is so cliche it's ridiculous, my wife and I predicted the outcome of the episodes we endured. The characters    OK...I am not one to write reviews, but this show is so poorly written, so unbelievable, so poorly cast, and so incredibly bias that I had to creat an ID and sign up to this site to write a review.
    This show is basically insulting to the intelligence of it's audience. The writing is so cliche it's ridiculous, my wife and I predicted the outcome of the episodes we endured. The characters are one dimensional with utterly no chemistry. The typical morally superior president, with the beautiful egalitarian immigration lawyer wife, the rebelious teenage son, 20 year old staffers running the country, a chummy secret service agent that gives the troubles son life lessons, but doubles as a computer expert, the evil members of congress, the white, war monger in generals, the all knowing (and hot) asian FBI agent that seems to be the only one to pick up on this.....

    Sutherland, who is generally good, is painful to watch as an impotent pansy as president...what is the deal with his mouth by the way ? It's like its stuffed with cotton an sewn shut.

    Also, this show is so politically biased its ridiculous...it's like they got Joy Bayhar off her fat a#$ from the View to write the script....Why is it EVERY bad or Shady person is a white male ? The generals are crazy, the corrupt senator, the dude who blew up the capital was in the army with the crooked congressman...who is also white....oh the congresswoman is a witch but she's white too.....anyone of color is fighting for good or going to save the world.

    Oh and the best is their heavy use of green screen for background scenery.....it's laughable.

    I'm done....give this show two seasons tops.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Best TV Season of 2016
11
#11 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016
49
#49 Most Shared TV Season of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Dorothy Rabinowitz
    Sep 22, 2016
    50
    The problem comes in the second episode, along with a suddenly increased capacity to resist everything about Designated Survivor. Here we come up against the show’s message, or more precisely its gross political tendentiousness. ... Mr. Sutherland may not have been the best choice for the role of a virtuous milquetoast concealing a heart of steel--the milquetoast part dominates even when the steel is flashed.
    Read full review
  2. Los Angeles Daily News
    Reviewed by: Rob Lowman
    Sep 21, 2016
    80
    It looks like Sutherland has another winner on his hands.
    Read full review
  3. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Jen Chaney
    Sep 21, 2016
    80
    It’s smartly made, but it also doesn’t linger terribly long on details, including character development. ... If nothing else, there is something satisfying about seeing Sutherland as our president.
    Read full review
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