Designated Survivor (TV Series) #thesystemisbroken (2019) User Reviews

Episode 301

[bobcobb301 · 6/10 · 11 June 2019]

Getting rid of Mark was the right move, but the forced cursing and butt shots because you aren't on ABC anymore wasn't needed.

The show is getting very political though which may annoy some viewers but as someone who cannot get enough of the stuff I love it.

Okay start, but I have a feeling the season will improve as it goes along.

Where are some major characters?

[barbie_bitch_01 · 8/10 · 28 July 2019]

What happened to lyor, Kendra and mike??

I really liked all those people and season 3 and they are gone.

Can someone explain??

New yet familiar

[sebastianbergo · 7/10 · 9 June 2019]

It's great to see that mostly the entire original staff/team is back together. They certainly have scaled up on swearing. Which comes a bit as a surprise and comes off a bit odd too since the first two seasons were pretty 'politically correct'. It's not necessary a bad change though. Generally, the show continues in the same style and fashion as the previous season, however the show looks much more 'grown up' and annoying kiddy characters such as Lyor have been eradicated. Also figures (although well-liked) like Kendra have been 'removed' off screen. However, I would have expected that the secondary red-thread of the story surrounding Hannah Wells would have picked up steeply and in the fashion as Season 1 (after disastrous season 2 with no clear main plot-line). But it's great to see that the political drama around President Kirkman seem to have again a clear sense of direction. I'll give season 3 in total 7 out of 10.

an actual review of an improved show

[geekforgod · 9/10 · 8 June 2019]

The main theme of a man balancing his idealism with the realities of DC continues seamlessly, as do the B-stories of a more personal nature that work well within the show, rather than seeming like an add-on designed to pull in another demographic.

From the jump, it has always seemed to me that the Hannah Wells story lines were superfluous, and they continue to be. Hence one less star.

But the move to Netflix has been a positive thing. Had other reviewers stuck with the show even for a single episode, instead of clutching their pearls over stronger language added when the show got dumped by the Mouse's network, they would have seen that.

While not as evident in the first episode, the move has allowed the writers to tackle hot-button topics that are of vital importance to our nation, but that network TV would never touch. And it often deals with them in an even more unique way than the first 2 seasons.

Another great new feature is that Netflix can be more experimental. Each of the first three episodes contains unscripted videos of real people addressing the main issue of that ep. You'd never see cinema verite on network TV.

Is there stronger language? Sure. But this is Netflix. How can anyone be surprised? And even if they knew nothing of the service, what did they think the TV-MA rating was for?

Re-fan, is there such a word?

[stevencinco · 9/10 · 13 June 2019]

I became a fan of the show after the pilot episode. However the longer the show ran, the more it seemed to drag on. The storylines were a mess, scriptwriting was terrible, and keifer looked like he was just going through the motions. I stopped watching after episode 10 of season 2.

Enter season 3. With an army of new writers and all, I felt I wanted to give this show another shot.

Episode 1 didn't disappoint. The script was solid, the actors looked like they had more chemistry, and the lines weren't cheap - there was meat, humor and a lot of wit.

Thank you for a solid first episode. Will watch the rest soon.

What The Actual F@$k?

[albundy60482 · 7/10 · 4 August 2019]

Did I know what Netflix was going to do after taking over this show? APPARENTLY NOT! I can understand characters leaving, but where is the tonal change on language coming from? Cursing is a idiot's crutch when writing, and I don't care if the real WH staffers talk like this, this is FICTION, and I am not watching House of Cards, you morons! No wonder this got cancelled AGAIN! NO GOOD!

Ready to stir things up!

[thaimiles · 10/10 · 9 June 2019]

Oh yes! We have a President who gives a damn about the People he works for and we have a few f-bombs and other sparingly used curse words, which put a few Conservatives' panties in a wad and they've already freaked out with their reviews of "its not a family show anymore!" More, please!! Plus, we have a show that doesn't treat the viewers like babies and gets into some real issues such as loopholes for underage marriage right here in the good ol' US of A, tightly comparing US to the Saudis. We also have some gay sex which is as graphic as any PG-13 show and should really piss off all the Conservatives. Again...more, please!!! I'm loving it and only 4 episodes in!!

Only two seasons

[omarrabe-38218 · 6/10 · 25 March 2020]

Season one and season two is very good but season 3 is very bad because it has support of category gay and talk about Saudi internal affairs

Finally the show has grown up

[limelight-elec · 8/10 · 9 June 2019]

My biggest problem with S1 and S2 were the characters were weak I'm mean the president of the US was a wimp. I like what they have down with S3 I was ready to give up but I'll keep on watching till the end..

The changes were expected once Netflix, rescued the show.

[stevenjohnsonsj · 6/10 · 10 June 2019]

The show goes to Netflix...then it suddenly turns more adult, ie: stronger language, nudity etc.

Good show

[mmeijler-140-66872 · 10/10 · 10 June 2019]

I see a lot of whining people arguing about profinity and left wing politics. Those people cant look through a good story line.

Put a side those bickering and just enjoy

Netflix Ruined It

[whikitywhack · 2/10 · 8 December 2022]

My wife and I really enjoyed seasons 1 and 2. Season 3 was destroyed by Netflix trying to be cool with terrible language ("Rated R language;" even Little P swears) and extra and revealing sex scenes. It was fine without all this junk.

Shame on you, Netflix. This show did not need "rescuing." Shame on the show-makers for selling out. One day people might learn.

... My wife and I really enjoyed seasons 1 and 2. Season 3 was destroyed by Netflix trying to be cool with terrible language ("Rated R language;" even Little P swears) and extra and revealing sex scenes. It was fine without all this junk.

Shame on you, Netflix. This show did not need "rescuing." Shame on the show-makers for selling out. One day people might learn.

Finally some bite !

[stephengrantstephens · 9/10 · 20 June 2019]

I was becoming just a little bored until S3 started. In Australia profanity on television shows is not common place, but when House of Cards folded into nothing - a refreshed and less Disney opportunity had to be taken by Netflix! So, turn it off if profanities offend, tune in if you want a more realistic experience going forward.

Slow burner

[mikemacd-43825 · 10/10 · 11 June 2019]

No big bangs or furtive, clandestine meetings... Just humans wrestling with dos or don'ts...great acting throughout... The drama and tension was there without incendiary devices.

Decent First Episode

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 22 July 2019]

I forgot that Netflix picked up the third season. I just jumped into it as if this had not happened. Most of the reviewers I've read are all worked up over the profanity. I am sick of the way Americans use profanity--but it is a real part of our world. I left after a high school football game ended this past fall and kids were milling around. I've never heard so much harsh, profane language in one place in my life (never been to prisons, but). Anyway, everywhere I go, so many people are swearing. So I think the show is presenting a real factual view of our current world. So let's get back to the plot here. The President is fighting for his political life as he campaigns as an independent. Anthony Edwards, our doctor from ER is a hardball Chief of Staff since Emily left. One thing that is not new is the President's ability to sway large numbers of people with one speech. Also, Hannah is forced into a major change. The President has another epiphany.

Its finally back!

[Kingslaay · 8/10 · 16 June 2019]

Designated Survivor has returned with a strong season premiere. Good episode that shows Kirkman as the underdog. There is things to handle in the country and his house. It's like the show never left us and we are back in the swing of things. Not too much screen time was spent on Hannah Wells and her dull story line which was a plus. There will be problems ahead but nice to see the team getting back together.

Old people complaining

[jaykl29212 · 10/10 · 1 February 2021]

The reviews for this show have been all over the place, sometimes it's too liberal even though they really explain what real issues like what do you want him to do? Also I was looking forward to the so called "vulgar" language, some reviewers say the first 15 minutes, LITERALLY ITS THE SAME SHOW FROM THE LAST 2 SEASONS. There's no f bombs just basic cursing they've done, I think old people just don't like their politics being talked about.

Season 3 ... disgraceful

[hossamdalil · 1/10 · 16 March 2022]

Season 3 is simply disgusting, plugged characters that adds no value , stupid writing , a classic example of how to completely destroy what was a very good show un season 1.

DS morphs into West Wing

[michaelwalcott · 8/10 · 22 September 2019]

Not a bad thing at all West Wing was a great show and this was a sound direction for the show to take. You could only have so many brink of disaster scenarios.

Its good as usual

[shevaanandamuttaqin-63729 · 8/10 · 17 January 2022]

Btw i miss lyor. Idk why they dont explain about lyor anymore haha. I think he's smart and genius and he have always good advice for krikman. But unfortunately, in season 3 we cant see him anymore, i miss how awful, annoying Lyor is but it makes me laugf sometimes.

Noticeable Depravity

[preachermansmakdad · 3/10 · 8 June 2021]

The show started on an excellent trajectory, but has continually spiraled downward into political correctness, while sacrificing its PG rating for the sake of pushing the envelope. Disappointing!

Huge drop in quality

[Jinx-to-Ennien · 1/10 · 1 September 2021]

First if all, I hated the fact they got rid of Lyor. He was an interesting character. Second, the profanity was way over the top. Going from no profanity to constant out of character swearing was jarring to say the least. I can see why this show was cancelled. It went down in quality when it switched to Netflix.

Hard turn to the profane

[patrickmcb2002 · 1/10 · 20 June 2022]

We have enjoyed the first 2 seasons sans profanity, nudity and other social ills.

It is obvious that Netflix has poisened another show.

Designated Survivor will not survive in our house anymore.

Netflix - why make this TV-MA?

[dhwill · 1/10 · 13 October 2019]

This show was really good to watch with the family. Then I start season 3 and all of the sudden there is a lot more swearing including f-bombs. Upon research, I find out it was Netflix that took it on and that's when it changed. Why?!?!? It adds nothing to the show and now I feel like it's only a show we can watch when the kids go to bed. Just really disappointed that this is no longer family friendly. So few of those types of shows left. Sad.

What a loss

[raymondlynnmitchell · 2/10 · 12 May 2023]

So for two seasons, this was an enjoyable show. It was engaging, emotional at times but most importantly, not something I had to worry about pausing if my children happened to walk in while my wife and I were watching it. They ruined it with this episode by adding such foul language. Even Little P curses. Not just the F bombs but even GD twice practically in the same sentence. Just a disappointment to push profanity when it hasn't been very strong at all for the first two seasons. I'm not sure why they felt they had to make it more adult but they ruined it for this family. Sure, I've heard it many times but not something I care to tolerate.