So when
Designated Survivor first came on TV, the wife and I caught the first half of it (Season 1), because I am a big fan of Keifer Sutherland.
The show's concept is - something - very bad - happens to the entire congress, president, and vice president - leaving Keifer as the "Designated Survivor" - which thrusts him into the position of becoming President.
For whatever reason, I can't recall why - the wife and I had stopped watching it when it was on TV.
I discovered it was on Netflix. So the wife and I began watching it from the start again.
The first two seasons are sort of a West Wing meets 24, with political and action, mixed in it. The characters are dynamic and believable, and for the most part, also very enjoyable. Even the one who they introduce in Season 2 as VERY quirky soon worms his way into liking him.
The first two seasons had aired on TV.
Netflix picked it up for a third season to become a Netflix exclusive.
First thing, we both noticed - some of the characters who were introduced (especially in S2) were suddenly gone; including the President's main body guard, who was very likable. The quirky guy is gone. The main lawyer is gone.
Then, the next thing - the excessive cussing. It was like a child trying to prove they're allowed to say bad words. Yes, because of the situations, cussing would make it realistic to cuss as often as they did. But it was overbearing.
Then, they watered down the tough, kick ass female character from the first two seasons. Also got rid of her side kick, who was in S1 and S2.
Then, the characters who had remained - even the President - all became impossible to like.
They had some good stories, in S3 (granted 10 episodes vs the 22 episodes of S1 and S2) - but over all, S3 was a train wreck and horrible.
Worse that the Game of Thrones thing. At least the final season of Game of Thrones was good, up to the last two episodes. Every episode of S3 just seemed horrible for Designated Survivor.
The one thing I did like - the issues they addressed - they'd cut to real people talking about it (not actors), and weave it into the show. For example, a transitioned transgender character in S3 isn't sure they want to be in the spotlight, so they go to a "meeting" - she sits in this meeting - but the thing is everyone else in this meeting, speaking about their experiences - are not actors. They're real people, who are transgender, talking about their life. I thought those little segments were very cool to see.