Designated Survivor Review: The Traitor (Season 1 Episode 7)
Everyone’s a traitor this week in Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 7, fittingly called, “The Traitor.” And when I say everyone, I mean everyone.
There’s, of course, our apparent main big bad – the mysterious Catalan. There’s Deputy Director Atwood, Coach Brad Weston, Congressman/soon to be VP Peter MacLeish. In a more personal way, there’s even Alex Kirkman, who was keeping a secret from her husband that could have implications on the entire family.
It’s like a choose-your-own-subplot-to-worry-about-palooza!
And hey, Congressman MacLeish. You win this one for me.
Especially because you’re trying very, very hard to convince us you’re a good guy. In fact, you’re trying so hard, smiling so much and saying so many right things that I just …don’t trust you. I can’t.
Not after Deputy Direct Atwood’s kid was kidnapped so he could be set up as a “traitor.” Not after the plan to, essentially, plan an idea into the President’s head, was revealed. Not after Hannah’s gut pays off in some actual information.
But then again, I don’t think I’m meant to trust him. At this point, I’m not sure I’m meant to trust anyone.
Except President Tom Kirkman.
What a chilling and wonderful departure from reality. To have the character that’s the center of the moral world in Designated Survivor be the actual President of the United States is a bold choice, but one that has paid off for the show again and again.
Maybe it’s because Kiefer Sutherland is the kind of actor who can sell the understated moments as well as the tense ones. Maybe because this show knows how to mix politics, family drama and a thrilling investigation in a way that doesn’t make us feel like they’re neglecting one for the other.
Or maybe it’s just because despite the fact that being the President of the United States is a job of crisis after crisis, drama after drama, Designated Survivor doesn’t come off as a needlessly dramatic show.
Everything is earned. The characters react in ways that regular people would react in normal life, and that makes it easier for us to relate. To get attached.
Add that to the fact the Designated Survivor treats its audience with respect, demands a certain level of engagement and intelligence, and you have a show that’s far from being a one-season wonder.
There’s still the Emily/Aaron thing to be explored, multiple pasts to delve into, not to mention a million different crisis that could erupt. Oh, and did I say re-election? That should be fun.
Because I’m buying what you’re selling, Designated Survivor. All of it. In fact, at this point, I’m ready to start selling it for you.
Other things to note:
- “Men don’t own sports.” – If I hadn’t been in love with you before, Emily (Italia Ricci), and I was, this would have been the moment where I fell.
- Because it seems like such an obvious thing to say, obviously men don’t own sports. But hey, Donald Trump. Obvious things still need to be said more often than not.
- Can we take a moment to rejoice at the fact that Tom Kirkman DID know about Leo possibly not being his son – and the absurdly matter fact way this is dealt with? Almost like this is not a soap opera and this show doesn’t do drama for the sake of drama. Amazing.
- Hannah, do you have someone YOU care about? Because if you do, then I’d suggest getting them to safety. Now.
- “I guess I figured he always had to be (my son) because I loved him so much.” – I legit teared up. TEARS.
What did you think of this episode of Designated Survivor? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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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