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Designated Survivor Season 1 Episodes
Season 1 Episode Guide
21 Episodes 2016 - 2017
Episode 1
Pilot
Wed, Sep 21, 201643 mins
US President Richmond will be making his next State of the Union address later today. In his Cabinet is Tom Kirkman, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, which is on the lowest rung of Cabinet positions. Non-elected Tom, who was appointed from an academic career, and the President often do not see eye to eye, the latter who is losing political respect for the former. As such, the President has not included any initiatives raised by Tom in the address, and has informed Tom through his Chief of Staff Charlie Langdon that he will soon be demoted to a position based in Montreal (which is framed as a promotion) or fired if he does not accept the demotion. Further, Tom has been assigned the designated survivor for the address, meaning that he will be housed in a secret secured bunker while the rest of the Cabinet enjoys the public visibility by joining the President at the Capitol for the address. Things for all involved change drastically when the Capitol is bombed during the address - the perpetrators initially unknown - with the President and the rest of the Cabinet killed in the process, leading to Tom being appointed President, something he never saw happening or to which he would ever aspire. Tom is insecure enough in his own abilities at this crucial time, which is only exacerbated by similar views by others, including Seth Wheeler, who was President Richmond's head speech writer, and Harris Cochrane, the Head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Tom knows he has to look and sound Presidential to show the world that it is business as usual, meaning that his first speech, to be written by Seth in less than an hour, is of utmost importance. However, there are actions behind the scenes that could affect what happens. Through it all, Tom needs the emotional support of his family - his wife Alex, his teenaged son Leo, and adolescent daughter Penny - each who may be going through their own issues in dealing with the situation.
Episode 2
The First Day
Wed, Sep 28, 201643 mins
It's the day after the bomb blast at the Capitol. The American populace has not been comforted by Tom's initial address, their feeling more about the messenger than the message which Tom realizes. Perhaps the largest microcosm of that feeling is happening in Michigan, where Governor John Royce has basically dismissed Tom's presidency, he doing what he feels he needs to to protect his citizens, his actions legal or not. In his own way, Seth gets a personal taste of Royce's feelings. In the oval office however, those in the know know that Tom still has to make important decisions, they all clamoring for his attention in ensuring that their area of interest and their views make it to the top of his priority list. Tom has to learn who he can or cannot trust for advice, especially when it comes to areas which he has no expertise, most specifically in a legal sense. Information that has made its way to Tom is that Cochrane's view is that they are 75% certain of who the perpetrators are and that Tom needs to take decisive action against those perpetrators, their enemy. Part of that missing 25% may include Hannah's on the ground belief that some key pieces of evidence were planted at the Capitol as red herrings. Her views may or may not make their way to Tom depending on how it gets filtered up the chain of command. One thing that Tom knows he has to do today is make a visit to the bomb site, not as a photo op as some staffers may want, but rather a true measure of support and gratitude to those who have to do the heavy lifting at the site itself. What may also affect what happens this day is the discovery that the Republicans have their own designated survivor. Meanwhile, Tom's family is still adjusting to their new heightened secured life. Alex has to make those public appearances with Tom, leaving Leo largely to hide from Penny the reality that enemies have attacked their way of life.
Episode 3
The Confession
Wed, Oct 5, 201643 mins
President Kirkman and his staff work to keep a high-level security breach of the White House a secret just as he's about to give his first television interview. Meanwhile, the FBI continues to investigate the Capitol bombing, and Agent Hannah Wells starts to develop her own theories about who was really behind the attack.
Episode 4
The Enemy
Wed, Oct 12, 201643 mins
Kirkman learns who is behind the attack and needs to grapple not only with the prospect of war, but brewing domestic troubles as well. Kirkman taps Emily to monitor the domestic situation, while Alex may be in for more than she bargains for when she seeks out help from Hookstraten.
Episode 5
The Mission
Wed, Oct 26, 201642 mins
Tom has issued the order to conduct air strikes on Algeria to capture or kill Majid Nassar. The mission is aborted at the last second when they learn that Nassar has escaped - he warned by the Algerians - and has gone into hiding in the basement of a hospital, where he can use civilians, including children, as unsuspecting shields. Chernow tells Tom that the only way to achieve the end goal of capturing Nassar while avoiding civilian casualties is to have boots on the ground in the form of a Navy Seal team. Tom orders the mission despite his hesitation, especially in that boots on the ground has a greater likelihood of American military causalities. Tom gets a political reaction when he eventually informs Congress, namely Hookstraten and MacLeish. Partly because of that reaction, Tom, in thinking about the politics of his job, begins to map out the possible players in major political posts when those times come. Meanwhile, Wells had put to bed the idea that MacLeish's survival was not coincidental to rest, that is until she received a cryptic message telling her to follow the path to Room 105. She discovers that Room 105 was one of several secret, secured rooms in the Capitol that congresspersons could use as sanctuaries. She has to find out what special was going on with Room 105 compared to all the other secret rooms, and how MacLeish is specifically tied to those activities. And Alex finds out that someone from her past, about who Tom knows, may cause some issue both in the Kirkman family life and for Tom's presidency, that specific issue about which Alex had never told Tom.
Episode 6
The Interrogation
Wed, Nov 9, 201643 mins
The political future of the country seems to be getting back on track as Tom is able to convene the state Governors - minus imprisoned Royce - Tom hosting a state dinner for them at the White House before the meetings. The meetings are largely for the Governors to approve the new Senate, and start the process for House elections. Also on getting the country back on track, Governor Rivera of Florida has accepted three hundred Syrian refugees, who will be landing on the incoming flight tomorrow in Miami. Beyond the issue of Royce which he is certain will be raised by some either formally or informally, there seems to be good will from the Governors toward Tom, especially as Majid Nassar is in custody. However, something happens at the dinner which changes the tone for the upcoming meetings. That change leads to Tom requesting Alex to take charge of a specific immediate issue, the outcome of which may add some friction into their marriage. Meanwhile, Jason is informed that he is to start the vetting process for Peter MacLeish, who the President is planning on naming Vice-President. With the information Hannah provided to him, Jason knows that he and Hannah have to stall so that they can interrogate/break Nasser into confessing that Al-Sakar was not responsible for the bombing, and naming the true bombers and what their connection to MacLeish is. And Seth seems to make a personal connection to Lisa Jordan, a new White House correspondent, a relationship with her which may not be the most appropriate for him to pursue.
Episode 7
The Traitor
Wed, Nov 16, 201643 mins
Tom's photo op with world class US track coach and former track star Brad Weston before he and the US team heads off to Russia for a prestigious track meet is followed by a series of bad news for Tom from his key staff. First, he learns from Aaron that Majid Nassar was murdered by an unknown perpetrator while in custody, this news which will remain out of the media until Tom gets some concrete answers as to what happened. Second, he finds from Emily that Weston, upon touching down in Moscow, was arrested for possession of performance enhancing drugs, specifically human growth hormones (HGH), found in his luggage, an offense in Russia punishable by life imprisonment. And third, he is told by Seth that a reporter has a source, a lawyer representing a convicted criminal, stating that the convict is Leo's biological father, with the reporter waiting for confirmation from Seth as to the story's validity. Aaron and Emily urge the President to get a good news story out in the media immediately - specifically naming Congressman MacLeish as his Vice-President - to get their PR back on a positive track. With the first, Jason, who is summoned into a meeting with the president, is urged by Hannah to divulge to the president what they know about Congressman MacLeish's involvement in the bombing and thus Nassar's murder. Under the circumstances, Jason is unable to do so. He and Hannah, who goes to one of her old secret CIA sources to assist in discovering the identity of Catalan, will find how far those for who MacLeish is working are willing to go to get MacLeish in the position of power. With the second, Secretary of State Anne Paulsen and CIA Director Carrera inform Tom that Weston was working unofficially for them, as he was willing to provide information on what he saw on any of his overseas trips in his capacity of honored guest in those countries, which means that the drugs were planted by the Russians in knowing that he is an American spy. In Tom discussing what seems to the impossible diplomatic situation with his team, Emily thinks she has a play that can get Weston released. They will find that others have their own plays in response. And with the third, Tom, who was aware of the existence of "Jeffrey Meyers" in Alex's life before they met and the possibility of him being Leo's biological father (a DNA test which was never conducted to prove parentage), and Alex have to decide what to do not only about the story but about telling Leo.
Episode 8
The Results
Wed, Nov 30, 201644 mins
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. Meanwhile, news has leaked about Majid Nassar's death, and Kirkman has to handle the fallout.
Episode 9
The Blueprint
Wed, Dec 7, 201644 mins
When classified government documents are leaked online, President Kirkman searches for the party responsible only to find that they have taken refuge inside a foreign embassy and are beyond even his reach. Meanwhile, Agent Hannah Wells races furiously to gather evidence of MacLeish's involvement in the conspiracy before he can be confirmed as the country's next Vice President.
Episode 10
The Oath
Wed, Dec 14, 201643 mins
As Kimble is unable to receive any incriminating information concerning Peter MacLeish (as Hannah has gone MIA just before her scheduled appointment with Kimble), the House Committee sits to confirm him as the Vice-Presidential appointee. What Kimble is unaware of is that Hannah has been involved in a car accident, which was no accident. With her evidence against MacLeish stolen in the process, Hannah again turns to Chuck as the only person she trusts. Hannah again believes the key is the mysterious woman caller who has provided all these leads thus far. Hannah is also aware that the closer she gets to MacLeish, the more his side will be doing whatever in its power to silence or incriminate her. At the White House, Tom learns of Kimble's concerns around MacLeish and the fact that Hannah was supposed to meet with her to provide what proof she has. As such, Tom asks Mike to locate Hannah, to determine if what she has may be indeed something against MacLeish, or if she is the one who has an unwarranted vendetta, much like Jason did. Until then, Tom has no reason to delay the upcoming ceremony to swear in MacLeish as VP. Tom also starts his own investigation of the DOD produced simulation of the Capitol bombing, which he is certain someone sold or gave to Al-Sakar as the blueprint for the actual bombing. In getting to a certain point, it looks as if only a handful of people in the White House at the time would have had access to the material. Tom asks Emily to investigate further, she not to tell anyone of this assignment. A specific name on the list of people she is to investigate and not being able to tell anyone may place a damper on what is Emily and Aaron's burgeoning romance.
Episode 11
Warriors
Wed, Mar 8, 201742 mins
The nation reels from the aftermath of the shooting on the steps of the Capitol while Emily struggles with the knowledge there may be a traitor in the White House. Meanwhile, FBI Agent Hannah Wells grapples with her decision to reveal what she knows about the conspiracy behind the Capitol bombing.
Episode 12
The End of the Beginning
Wed, Mar 15, 201743 mins
Hannah is able to convey what she knows about Vice-President MacLeish to Tom, including that he was in on the Capitol bombing, which in turn was not orchestrated by Al Sicar. However, the legal advice that Hannah receives, the advice received on Tom's directive, from a trusted source is that they do not have enough evidence to convict MacLeish if they were to bring him in now, despite they all knowing that he is guilty. As such, Hannah, who still has to be seen as being in custody by the conspirators to hide that the authorities are getting closer to discovering the truth behind MacLeish, is tasked with finding the conclusive evidence, the strongest being something to come directly out of his mouth. Hannah believes the two strongest leads are the mysterious woman who is known to be involved in the kidnapping of a still missing Luke Atwood, and the rest of the team MacLeish led in the military. With the information that Tom now has in hand, he feels the need to return to the White House as quickly as possible to resume control, still without tipping his hat to MacLeish until that conclusive evidence is obtained. Tom also learns for the first time about the telephone call made from Aaron's telephone possibly implicating him as one of the conspirators. As Tom has been advised by Mike to tighten the circle of people that need to be in the know about any of this information, including excluding Alex for her own safety, he needs to keep Aaron out from the loop without he knowing he is being excluded, all in Tom's mission to find Aaron not guilty of what is implied by the on the surface evidence. This becomes more difficult as Aaron has to act as the liaison between Tom and Kimble, who seems to know more than he does in his role of Chief of Staff.
Episode 13
Backfire
Wed, Mar 22, 201741 mins
An investigative journalist shocks the White House when he reveals classified information during a press briefing and leaves Seth struggling to contain the damage from the leaked story. Meanwhile, Hannah unearths a key connection between MacLeish and the conspiracy.
Episode 14
Commander-in-Chief
Wed, Mar 29, 201741 mins
Turmoil in an African country forces President Kirkman to rely on an unlikely ally for help, as Hannah's investigation into the Capitol bombing takes an unexpected turn. Meanwhile, Emily settles into her new role as chief of staff while Aaron has to make a difficult choice.
Episode 15
One Hundred Days
Wed, Apr 5, 201743 mins
As President Kirkman releases an agenda to reset his presidency, Alex makes a controversial public statement that threatens to derail it. Meanwhile, FBI agent Hannah Wells unknowingly finds herself in the center of a dangerous trap while getting closer to the truth. While the country still mourns the loss of their Vice President.
Episode 16
Party Lines
Wed, Apr 12, 201742 mins
Ambitious Republican Senator Jack Bowman, who has his ultimate eye on the White House, has pushed Tom into a corner in needing to back a poorly worded but what Tom considers a minor yet important gun control bill whose primary purpose is to expand background checks for anyone trying to purchase a firearm. Tom hopes that if the bill passes in the Senate, it will become a bipartisan issue in the House, where the legislators can craft a more succinct bill that can be passed into law. That poor wording may become a sticking point even for the Democratic minority in the Senate, but Tom and his team need to meet with Senate Minority Leader Diana Harris to see where they stand with the Democrats. Even if they are able to get the Senate Democrats on side - with or without conditions - Tom and his team will need the support of at least five Senate Republicans for the bill to pass, any hint of something being anti-Second Amendment in general which is a core fight among Republicans. Despite she not being a Senator, Tom gets a surprise endorsement from Kimble, who has her own issues with Jack and his power grab, but who also has her eye on a bigger prize. Beyond working Diana, Tom and his team need to find those five Republicans who can support the bill to get it passed. An unwitting move by Alex, who has a meeting to listen to survivors of gun violence, may affect the vote, for good or bad. Meanwhile, Hannah finds among Brooke Mathison's possessions bomb plots against major US landmarks. She also finds that Brooke had ties to a defunct military contractor, Browning Reed, Brooke who had interest in one of their properties in North Dakota in particular. With John's reluctant okay, Hannah and Jason decide to fly to North Dakota to see if they can discover what is/was of interest at that North Dakota property.
Episode 17
The Ninth Seat
Wed, Apr 19, 201742 mins
As President Kirkman struggles to put together a new Supreme Court, FBI Agent Hannah Wells goes undercover and discovers much more than she ever could have imagined. Meanwhile, Seth Wright has to contend with journalist Abe Leonard, who returns from the Middle East with an explosive story.
Episode 18
Lazarus
Wed, Apr 26, 201742 mins
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.
Episode 19
Misalliance
Wed, May 3, 201741 mins
As the White House gears up for President Kirkman's first international summit, Kimble Hookstraten faces her toughest political battle yet when her speakership is challenged. Meanwhile, Alex wrestles with whether or not to bring the kids back to Washington.
Episode 20
Bombshell
Wed, May 10, 201741 mins
Tom, Cornelius and Seth are on their way to Toronto for the NATO summit, where much of the discussion is planned to revolve around nuclear deescalation. Cornelius warns Tom that despite the French having brought up the issue unofficially, they may have a different stance on the matter in public unless all the ducks are in a row. Beyond Seth's first experience on Air Force One not being quite what he expected, all three men find that the NATO summit doesn't proceed the way they expected, each of the three who deal with slightly different issues, all circling back to a story that hits the media in the early hours of the gathering. Meanwhile, John and Mike continue to work on finding Hannah and discovering who the mole in the White House is. With the latter issue, Mike calls in Chuck, who he hopes will be able to do some computer forensics to find out who deleted the files. Based on what he sees of what has happened thus far, Chuck thinks he has a way to set a trap for the mole. Hannah discovers how tenuous her situation is when she sees where she is being held captive. Knowing that escaping on her own is a near impossibility, she has to find a way to get word back to John and Mike as to her situation. And Aaron, who did not follow Kimble into her new role as Secretary of Education, has to figure out what his next professional move will be.
Episode 21
Brace for Impact
Wed, May 17, 201741 mins
Tom is facing more than usual negative public scrutiny with Abe Leonard's story on the White House knowing that Al-Sakar was not responsible for the Capitol bombing, with the White House - Tom, Seth or anyone else - not elaborating i.e. if they know who did. Jack tries to capitalize on this scrutiny for his own political gain. They further learn that Abe is planning on running a follow-up story, he asking for White House confirmation or denial. As such, Tom has decide how best to handle Abe, while the investigation continues. Tom, Mike, John and Hannah believe at this stage, their best plan of attack is to apprehend Patrick Lloyd and discover all the connections to Browning Reed. They however do admit that they are no closer to discovering who the White House mole is. Tom tries to find out who from among Richmond's administration would have had a high enough security clearance to have a say into who would have appointed him designated survivor for that day. The survivor who may be best in the know may not want to provide assistance on the matter in carrying a grudge against the current administration. All the while, Chuck sets his own trap for the mole, who he hopes will once again try to access electronic files. What they are all unaware of is that Lloyd, Lozano and Whitaker are close to completing the next phase in their plan, which could further threaten national security and get their man into the White House.
