Designated Survivor Review: The Enemy (Season 1 Episode 4)
Sometimes being in charge means making the tough choices, the impossible ones.
Tom Kirkman learns that the hard way on Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 4, “The Enemy,” which is the first episode that really takes the main character into uncharted waters.
We know what he is. We’ve seen it before. He’s a kind, flexible and honest man who does what he says and who tries to be fair in all situations.
But is that the kind of man he needs to be? Is that the kind of man the country needs?
It might not be the right answer – but we got one in this episode, nonetheless.
No.
Thing about high pressure situations, though, is that it’s impossible to know if the decisions you’re making are right or wrong. You just have to close your eyes, trust your gut and make them anyway.
Action might get people killed, but inaction will get people killed for sure.
The situation in Michigan required a firm hand. The situation in the war room required a firm hand. The time of Tom Kirkman, Mr. Nice Guy is over.
President Kirman is taking his place. And President Kirkman might not be a career politician, but he understands how the game is played.
Emily doesn’t. She’s appalled and, I think, a little surprised at the change that’s come over the man she’s worked with for the last few years. She’s the voice of the audience in this regard, because we all want to believe the President can be a fundamentally kind and honorable man and that every decision is black and white.
It isn’t. They are shades of gray. So many shades.
More than fifty.
And President Kirkman seems to have very few people on his side.
This is why he still needs Emily, to remind him of what he can be. It’s why he needs Aaron, to tell him what he needs to be. And it’s why he needs Seth, to inspire him to be better.
Everything conspires in this episode to push President Kirkman towards making decisions he didn’t want to make. It’s just that, instead of hesitating, this time, he made them.
Quickly. Decisively.
Character growth or ill-advised decision? Only time will tell. But as far as narrative choices go, it’s absolutely the right one.
Designated Survivor is hitting all the right notes with this politics/thriller/family drama. Even on a time where a great number of new TV shows are making people sit up and notice, it remains ahead of the pack.
Plus, at a time when real politics are nothing more than a headache, it’s nice to have a good President on TV – even if it’s a fictional one.
Other things to note:
- General Cochrane sure had it coming, didn’t he? What did he expect? For a man with so many men under his command he sure isn’t good at reading people. I could have told him he was close to getting fired 4 episodes ago.
- Let’s talk Emily/Aaron. At first I saw it and didn’t like it. Then I warmed up to it. And now I think I’m into it. I also think it’s coming. Yup. What’s the ship name for this?
- An episode without Leo is an episode for him to mess more shit up.
- I really like that we got to see Alex Kirkman at her job – and that she’s shown as not just being a competent lawyer, but a great one.
- Though making a deal with the devil in episode 4? Rookie move. Hookstraten is going to ask for something in return at the worst possible time. That’s the way of TV. And politics.
- I love that Seth is Press Secretary, I do. I just don’t understand how it took them so long to realize Carter was a complete mess.
- I trust Congressman McLeish only as far as I can throw him. And I can’t throw him far at all.
- I love Maggie Q, but I’m not as invested in her storyline as I should be. Fix this, please. Let her find SOMETHING.
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Designated Survivor airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on ABC.
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz
Lawyer. Writer. Columnist. Geek. Falls in madly in love with fictional characters. Hates the color yellow, misogyny, and people who are late. Can always be found with a book. Watches an absurd amount of TV every week, often, while eating coffee ice cream. She has no regrets. You can check out her blog here: Absurday. Lissete is a senior writer for Tell-Tale TV. Follow @lizziethat