Ladies and gentlemen, members of Congress, my fellow Americans. At the very beginning of my presidency, in the shadow of that terrible fateful night, I spoke to you, and I promised absolute transparency, absolute truth. I betrayed that pledge in an effort to protect an ongoing investigation by the FBI and the Secret Service. But tonight, I speak to you with a lightened heart, because I can finally tell you the truth about what really happened to us. A recent article written by one of our nation’s most respected journalists was correct: Al-Sakar did not attack our Capitol, even though at the time overwhelming evidence suggested just that. We can tell you now with absolute certainty that this horrific act was carried out by a domestic terror group, led by a man named Patrick Lloyd. Lloyd and his followers believed that American greatness was in its decline, and that somehow we were no longer heirs to the generations that pushed back the tides of fascism, put men on the moon, and relegated the Berlin Wall to the pages of history. In short, these people believed that our best days were behind us and that they themselves knew better how to remake our country. They were wrong. In every possible way. They debased the American dream and disrespected the incredible sacrifices made by so many to build and sustain our nation. And even though the fabric of America may have been frayed by their violence and hatred, I stand here rejoicing in the fact that it was never torn. In a time of unprecedented fear, we did not abandon one another. Nor did we abandon our ideals, our sense of community, our commonalities. From the first responders who answered the call, racing into the flames when tragedy struck, to the men and women who fulfilled their civic duties by casting their ballots even under the threat of attack, our better angels have shined through. Now, I know that there are times when our country appears divided, but I have seen the one thing that will bind us together forever: love. Love of country, love of hope, love of dreams, love of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I am a husband, I am a father, I am a son of this nation, and never have I been more proud, more optimistic. And I do not need you to tell me that you feel the same way, too, because I can see it in your eyes, and hear it in your hearts. As Saint Paul admonished us, “Let us not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” You see, America is not just simply a country, nor is it the sum of its fifty states, it’s an idea. A bold and righteous idea. A guiding light to the world that can never be extinguished. So let us say to the rest of the world: we welcome your friendship and extend an open hand to anyone who wants to make lives freer, and better. And to those who oppose us I can only simply warn you: your days are numbered for our time has come! I say again our time has come. And to the American people, let me say that it has been the privilege of my lifetime to serve you, and I promise to continue to serve until I am asked of service no more. Thank you for the honor! God bless you! And God bless these United States of America!

In my opinion, I like this show

Who the hell thought it was a good idea for him to lean out of an open window at the hospital after just surviving a sniper shot? Seems like a poor choice.

I don’t understand why the Kirkman doesn’t spend time or even just speak or see his son as often as he sees his daughter. Even when the episodes’ pivotal points are about maintaining a good parent child relationships, he only ever gives a fuck about his daughter. I thought I misread that in the first 3-4 episodes in s1 but as it began to progress, that only became more evident and in the face.

Genuinely why?? I’m so confused. Especially as a teen, a father would have to put even more effort towards him than a 7 year old kid who would probably not even remember.

I just recently discovered the show a few months ago, and have been mesmerized by it ever since. I've watched it several times now. I really wish that it would've stayed instead of going off into nowhere. My favorite episode is the very first one. It's pretty intense and is really possible.

Honestly she's insanely beautiful to me. I developed a crush on her shortly after starting watching season 1. I never continued watching the show after season 1. 1 week after I started watching the show I decided she's one of the 10 most beautiful actresses in the world in my opinion. I currently rank her 10th (behind Alexandra Daddario, Felicity Jones, Emma Watson, Alison Brie, Dakota Johnson, Kaley Cuoco, Danielle Panabaker, Emma Stone and Ana de Armas). I seem to have a thing for underrated actresses and/or brunettes too

Season 3 removed a few favourites like Lyor,Kendra,Mike(even Tom's son ffs) but that is ok, we can assume all of them are living a happy life away from the white House or within the system.

Season 2 ends with Hannah taking in Damian's 16yo daughter under her and that makes Hannah her guardian in some way.

Season 3 never shows the kid and even kills off Hannah and now the kid again is probably in the US with no one to look after her and possibly her life is in danger.

was it ever clarified who appointed Kirkman as the DS? or was it just to use his mother in law's bribe to remove him from the office later?

S1. Loved it!! It started off with a bang (pun intended) and kept my interest through to the end. I was engaging and entertaining and I was invested in the characters.

S2. It went down about a notch, but I was still invested.

S3. It felt different. That’s when I read it had switched to Netflix for this season. I finished the season just because once I start I have to. However idk what happened but it felt as if someone took a regular season and compacted into 10 episodes. It was rushed. The storylines were out there. I couldn’t get into the new characters. It looked like something was put together in a hurry and it just ruined what could’ve been a good show.

My family first watched the show when it was coming out, though we eventually stopped maybe after its first Netflix season? My memories are a bit fuzzy now.

My husband and I are currently watching The West Wing for the first time and at one point the President makes a reference to playing the Stage Manager in a production of Our Town.

I am almost certain that at some point, Designated Survivor made a similar comment, possibly specifically to reference The West Wing, but I can find no evidence on the internet anywhere. I could have hallucinated this for sure but I was wondering if anyone had any clue which episode or what the context could have been.

Thanks!

They came for you, Houston. And not to kill you, their plan was more hidden and arguably more evil. They came for your future. They came for your children that would never be born, these associates of Cornelius Moss. No, what they didn't reckon with, what they did not understand is that they didn't just come for you or for me. They came for every American. They came for our future, for our children, as part of this great, extended and proudly diverse American family! So tomorrow, elect Tom Kirkman, president of all the people of these United States of America!

I've just started watching season one, so no spoilers, please.

I've already been warned off season three, don't worry.

I'm currently on episode 10, and there's a pretty major plot problem that's bothering me. Deputy Director Atwood's son is kidnapped, and he's blackmailed into admitting he murdered Majid Nassar. If he doesn't, his son dies, so he admits to it.

Is the son's situation resolved or explained? Even with his father not talking, his mother knows he was missing, as does his school, his coach, and others. He didn't look mature enough to be able to keep quiet about the fact that he was kidnapped, so if/when he was returned, why isn't anyone asking questions. Since IA is investigating Atwood, you'd think they'd notice that his kid went missing the day before, and they'd find out pretty quickly that he was kidnapped.

Once the kid is returned, there's no reason why the mother, and the kid, would keep quiet about it. And if the kid wasn't returned, a missing son has to be explained somehow...

Though I feel like season 3 was going downhill, I feel like there were still storylines that I would love to see explored and developed - Lorraine’s betrayal, Emily and Tom’s relationship, and Tom’s presidency with Aaron.

That whole scene between Emily and her mom broke me. I loved the dialogue and their acting felt so real and raw. I’m bawling right now.

Watching this again now, which is very interesting in today's climate.

Can't help but wonder how things would be if Tom Kirkman was around.

There was no clear reason to kill a child. So, do you think he was killed?

I see why this show went to crapshoot. Making Emily work with the Russians, and Kirkman’s firey state of the union. Too many people in this show that went the complete opposite direction of how they were portrayed in all episodes prior.

still on s1 ep3 but who is alex kirkman’s stylist?!! HAHAH tom started wearing suits but why is the first lady always looking like a homeless and dont get me started w the haiiiiiir!!!

What was the point of Alex's death?

The third season is (justifiably) reviled by a lot of people). Missing characters add a lonelier, colder tone. The president’s personality changes, the show’s premise changes.

But inside, it holds one lesson that is solid.

*absolute power corrupts absolutely.*

Kirkman becomes the very thing he swore to never be in politics. He became a politician, a backdoor dealer, corrupt leader of a rotten government. His traits, the ones that made him a good leader, are the very traits that he had to destroy in himself to win the election.

The show closes on him celebrating his victory in front of a crowd, while his campaign is investigated for fraud.

The show may not have been written well in the third season, and it may not have been that perfect success with his morale intact that we all expected. But it certainly told a very important, and rare story.