Designated Survivor Review: The Blueprint (Season 1 Episode 9)

In Washington, one thing everyone fears there is when classified information is leaked — even more so when it affects someone close to you.

On Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 8, we see how it affects the Kirkman administration and, in particular, Emily when a NSA whistleblower does just that.

A lot of balls are in motion on “The Blueprint,” from a blast from Emily’s past to the continuing adventures of Agent Hannah Wells and her sidekick Chuck.

Loyalty means a lot to President Kirkman, so it’s no surprise to see him stand with Emily during all this. Tom and Emily’s father-daughter relationship is a strength of this show, and it always fills me with joy.

One thing that always confounds me: why is it always infidelity with these politicians?

Even worse, Tom meets with the NSA leaker and gets a hard drive from him that threatens to reveal more secrets. It hurts me personally to see Tom find a new traitor, or someone who he believes to be a good person that turns out not to be.

Has any president dealt with more things in his first few months in office than President Kirkman? I really need a future episode where it’s just Tom relaxing and playing four-some golf somewhere with Emily, Aaron, and Seth.

They all need a first-class vacation.

The B-plot on  “The Blueprint” is Agent Wells’s search for the truth about MacTraitor’s true origins. Rooting for Hannah to uncover the truth is becoming easier and easier the more we learn of the slimy MacLeish.

The addition of Chuck as Hannah’s unofficial sidekick/computer expert has been a big boost to this story line as well.  Hannah and Chuck make a great team, and it’s safe to say that their chemistry is fantastic as we watch their search for MacLeish’s army buddies.

I fear we may have seen the last of Chuck, since it looks as though he’s been caught helping Hannah in her investigation.

To this I say, NO! Someone save Chuck!

Hannah finds some information that MacLeish — or MacTraitor — isn’t the shining Army hero he’s been made out to be in the press.  Hearing the crimes his unit did commit makes me feel sick. MacLeish is a real threat to the nation, and it worries me that Tom is in serious danger from this man.

Just as Hannah is racing to tell Kimble and the rest of the Congressional Committee about what she has found out, the old “van rams into her car” trick happens to her.

Does everyone on this show have the worst luck? I mean if it wasn’t a van, it probably would have been a semi truck that a little old lady was driving.

So we have more questions to ask after Designated Survivor again.  “Is Hannah going to be okay?” “Who is the latest traitor to America?” “Will MacTraitor be confirmed?”

I, for one, can’t wait to get some answers.

Other Things to Note:

• Aaron knows how Emily likes her coffee. That is the true way to a woman’s heart.
• It’s heartbreaking to see Jason in prison. Kudos to Malik Yoba for a really fantastic job of showing us Jason’s pain.
• If I never hear the words “Wikileaks” again, it will be too soon.
• Seth is barely in “The Blueprint,” and that is unacceptable. I need my weekly dose of Kal Penn charm!
• One of the things I love is the relationship between Tom and Alex, and though we only get a quick scene between the two, it is perfect, and it showcases the love and support they have for one another.
• I’m shipping Hannah and Chuck. There are some serious vibes between the two.

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.

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