I’m continuing to review series, movies, and shows here, and today I am going to touch on a short but intense political drama that started out on ABC and then concluded on Netflix. I’m referring to David Guggenheim’s “Designated Survivor,” a series that is no “House of Cards” but still tries to deliver an interesting story. As usual, I’ll try to be as balanced as I possibly can, and if you don’t like it, I’m sorry for you.
Firstly, this is a gripping drama that manages to engage the audience based on the premise of a catastrophic event in which the line of succession in the United States government becomes disrupted and to keep the continuity of the government, and someone must take their place.
With that in mind, some things happen, and while the story, in my opinion, at least gave way for a movie, Guggenheim and his clique managed to run this for three seasons with a rather disappointing conclusion.
How Many Seasons Are There In Designated Survivor?
Designated Survivor ran for three seasons from 2016 to 2019. The debut season consisted of 21 episodes that aired from 21 September 2016 to 17 May 2017. The sophomore season ran from 27 September 2017 to 16 May 2018. These two seasons ran consecutively on ABC Networks.
For the third and final season, Netflix picked it up for a ten-episode run that landed on that platform on 7 June 2019.
What Is Designated Survivor?
Designated Survivor is a political drama series that follows the life of Tom Kirkman, a low-level Cabinet member who suddenly becomes the President of the United States after an attack on the U.S. Capitol during the State of the Union address.
Thrust into power, Kirkman must navigate a world of political intrigue and international crises while trying to uncover the truth behind the attack on the Capitol.
Also Read: How Many Seasons Are There In Dead To Me? Is It Worth Watching?
Is It Worth Watching?
I’m going to part ways with some of my old reviews here and try to give you the pros and cons of Designated Survivor because I consider that while the series did start out good, the bad elements and lazy scriptwriting gave way for a disappointing finish.
Pros
Firstly, we have intriguing storylines: The premise is unique and keeps the viewers engaged with a mix of political intrigue, whodunit mystery, and thrilling action. Each season brings new challenges and conspiracies for President Kirkman to face.
Strong performances: Kiefer Sutherland leads an impressive cast that delivers powerful performances, most notably intense and emotional moments.
Real-world issues: The show touches upon various contemporary topics, such as political corruption, terrorism, international relations, and social issues, providing thought-provoking angles.
Satisfying character development: Most main characters undergo significant growth and change throughout the series, making for fulfilling character arcs.
Cons
Predictability: The series is evidently predictable for anyone with a mild understanding of how the political world in Washington, DC, works. It was evident from the get-go that certain plot points and twists were simply going to happen, lessening the suspense and intrigue. If, instead of doing a three-season show, they did a good two-and-a-half-hour movie, they would have gotten away with it guns blazing.
Differing tonality between seasons, this thing went from ABC to the world streaming. Season three feels entirely different, it has a notably altered tone, and that put me off a lot. Occasional lack of depth that, in certain instances, the show doesn’t delve as deep into complex political issues as I would like, opting for a more surface-level approach.
Designated Survivor, with its three enthralling seasons and a total of 53 episodes, offers an exciting and thought-provoking viewing experience surrounding the life of an unlikely president, Tom Kirkman.
In summary, if you’re a fan of political dramas, Designated Survivor is definitely worth your time due to its captivating storyline, strong performances, and exploration of real-world issues. However, keep in mind the potential drawbacks, such as predictability and differing tonality between the seasons.
The series delves into political intrigue, mysterious conspiracies, and emotional moments that will keep you hooked. While there might be a few downsides to the show, there is no denying the overall appeal and impact it has made on its viewers. For me, it was a no-go. Maybe you like it. I sure as hell didn’t.
Also Read: How Many Seasons Are There In Stranger Things? Is It Worth Watching?
