You know when you’re watching a TV show and you catch yourself thinking, yeah, this sort of thing ONLY happens on TV? That was me at several points during this otherwise enjoyable episode of Designated Survivor. Because really, Mr. President, there’s bravery and then there’s just stupidity.
And despite the fact that, as always, all is well that ends well, staying in a volatile situation, in an area of the world that’s known to be dangerous, is just…well, the kind of thing that only happens on TV. Seriously. In real life, the President would not get a vote, he’d be whisked away without even asking his opinion.
Maybe what we need is Kiefer Sutherland as President. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – there are way worse things. *ahem*
So, let’s go into the WTF, the endearing and the absolute mess the kids made of the White House while dad was gone as we discuss “Home”:
YOU ALWAYS (ALWAYS) NEED A LAWYER
But, and here’s the thing people don’t get – it’s best if you get the lawyer BEFORE you get in trouble, so he can advise you not to. Or apparently, if you’re Seth, before your family members get in trouble and you decide to cover for them?
This whole plot point made absolutely no sense, for many reasons. One, Seth is too smart for this, he knows this might jeopardize his job AND his relationship with Emily, and yes, he might be banking on Kirkman’s understanding, but even that is stretching belief a bit thin considering he kept going on and on about how he didn’t want the President to be told.
Second, Emily is ALSO too smart, and Seth should absolutely know this. I’m surprised no one else caught into how OOC this whole thing was.
Then there’s Lyor, and the whole storyline with the wife that isn’t really his wife but wants to remain his wife, which honestly, both quirky and fun and kind of Lyor, but again, HE’S TOO SMART for this plot of omg I didn’t realize this was something I should have disclosed sooner.
I guess I should be happy it’s the men acting like idiots in this episode for plot related reasons, at least? But I’d rather all my characters acted like the smart people I know they are, thank you very much.
RELATIONSHIPS ARE A PART OF LIFE
And boy, do you suck at them, Designated Survivor. Or maybe you just don’t think they’re important?
Either way, as much as I enjoy the show – and I do, and as much as I firmly believe Kiefer Sutherland can carry a show all on his lonesome, we’re in the middle of season 2 here. Romance is a part of life. At this point basically sabotaging every possible romantic relationship you’ve set up (let’s not even count Hannah/Damian, because there are more sparks between Kirkman and Aaron), just proves that you have no idea how to actually write a romance.
Or, as I stated before, you just don’t care.
If the answer is the first one, I suggest you find someone who does and bring them in, pronto. In fact, if you don’t, I’m gonna guess maybe your writers room is not diverse enough, despite the fact that you do have actors of color and women in the cast. But hey, this is an easy problem to fix. Hire someone who knows how to make me feel something – anything – about the possibility of SOMEONE (anyone, really) getting together with someone else.
Literally anyone would work at this point. You want to go for Kendra and Emily? Do it. JUST GET ME INVESTED. You promised me balance, Designated Survivor. It’s about damn time you deliver.
Other things to note:
- The “Previously On” was a particularly puzzling collection of images considering the trailers all revolved around President Kirkman’s trip.
- Are we ever going to have another VP? You’d think this would be a priority, especially, when, you know, you’re sending the President into hostile territory.
- Plus, it’s been a year. A YEAR.
- When did the Emily/Seth relationship progress to meeting family members?
- Aaron in that vest. *insert drooling emoji*
- I’m not saying I want episodes without Hannah, but why is Hannah in the middle of everything?
- JUST WHEN YOU COULDN’T GET IN TROUBLE, SETH.
- Also, profiling. 100%
- Does the White House Counsel actually get people out of jail? Even if those people are the Press Secretary?
- Why you shady, Mike?
- Can we do Aaron and Hannah? Talk about a power couple.
- Yes, I’m so desperate that I’m reaching. I don’t even care.
- I enjoyed that weird Lyor/Seth convo about things.
- So predictable. If you’ve watched enough procedurals you know the guilty person is always the one who doesn’t look to be guilty at first.
- Is it possible that Adan Canto is getting hotter?
- Maybe it’s just that, as I’ve stated before, HE SHOULD NEVER BE IN FULL SUITS.
Designated Survivor airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on ABC.