I'm four episodes into the new, third season of Designated Survivor running on Netflix. They've taken advantage of the fact that they're on a streaming service instead of a broadcast network to pepper the dialogue with the occasional "naughty" word as though the show runners are snickering 12-year-old boys. It only stands out because of two seasons on ABC that didn't rely on such adult affectations to tell compelling stories.
Beyond that, they don't seem to know what to do with Maggie Q's character now that the original conceit of the show has played out. They solved the mystery and caught the bad guy. She really doesn't have a purpose anymore, so they've manufactured one. It too seems forced. It's like they've smashed together two separate, different, series with little in common. It's disconcerting.
The political intrigue falls short of the gold standard set by Aaron Sorkin In The West Wing. Like that earlier series DS is very idealistic and shows us an administration that's too much rooted in fantasy. It's a sharp contrast to our current reality. Maybe that's the point.
But it does seem to be finding its footing. It's getting stronger. Kirkman is struggling with political expedience versus adhering to his principles. That moral ambiguity is giving it a little bit more of a West Wing flavor but also setting it apart. It's becoming a little less idealistic and a little less ham-handed, a little less preachy, while still delivering some strong messages and commentary on current issues. As another reviewer pointed out the 10-episode limit is also making for a tighter season.
I'm going to watch and probably enjoy all 10 episodes. But at this point I think I'll be okay if it reaches a reasonable conclusion by the end of this season and doesn't find a reason to continue.