Designated Survivor

I've just binge watched it up to the end of Episode 18. The initial premise is interesting, whether or not it's actually based in reality. You always need to grant some leeway with "initial premises", especially these days. I stopped watching 24 after the second season because I found it too infantile and silly. I did watch The West Wing through to the end. This is a sort of 24 meets The West Wing. The show lets itself down with too many loving gazes between the President and his wife (does she have any flaws at all?), some terribly clunky lines and worst of all, the relentless US Patriot, buzz word laden speeches. "The American people deserve...". "Rebuilding our amazing nation...". "Rebuilding our fantastic Government". There's no mention of lobbyists or Corporate involvement in Government. There's no mention of the profound disconnect between citizen and Government that is a feature of contemporary politics. The various "third rails" of US politics are briefly mentioned. It is a show about a fantasy America and a fantasy American Government. It's the TV Show version of America that is challenged by the initial events and it responds the way TV Show script writers think such a world would respond. Having said all that, it moves reasonably quickly and the split between the two story arcs is well handled and engaging. The only caveat is - if you find "true blue, Mom and Apple Pie American sentimental patriotism" too much to bear, you're going to struggle with this show. But it's probably worth bearing with, all in all. There are far, far worse shows on TV.

I enjoyed the first two seasons of Designated Survivor it was entertaining and kept your interest. If your a 24 fan you will enjoy the first two seasons it's basically if Jack Bauer became president. The third season it fell apart with the removal of some of the cast with no explanation. They also added lots of unnecessary cussing that did not fit the vibe it totally changed the mood of the show.

Started off brilliant, season one is fantastic. Season 2 is just as good. But the whole tone of the show changes in season 3, ruined it for me. As it was only ten episodes, I stuck with it, it just got worse. It was like some of the characters personalities completely changed in the third season. What's great about seasons one and two, is it's just as it would be if Jack Bauer ever became president, loved that! The acting is great in the first two seasons, and the storylines are great, quickest I've ever got through so many episodes of any show.

So to sum up, definitely worth a watch, but probably best to forget they ever made a third season!

This show is one of my favourite Netflix Originals. It kind of combines House of Cards (2013) with 24 (2001) really well with it being half political drama and half action thriller. All of the main cast play such amazing, likeable but flawed characters. Season One is by far the best because you just had no idea where it was going, season two kept the suspense with a different story every week but still had long running stories. Season three however wasn't that good. It had some good moments but it just felt like a very different show.

I really liked "Designated Survivor" for the first two seasons (gave them a rating of 9) and was happy when they announced that Netfkix was going to do a thrid season, but not only is this season dull (do they have new script writers?) but they have added crude language and graphic sex which is disappointing. The story line of Kirkman running for president is done in a lousy way. The new characters are obnoxious straight down the line even though the actors who play them are, for the most part, decent actors. Overacted and with the feeling that everyone except Sutherland are just phoning it in. This is turning me off pretty quickly. How could Netflix ruin what was a decent series? Those of us who were watching it most likely didn't watch a lot of "House of Cards" and that is not what we want.