Designated Survivor Review: The Oath (Season 1 Episode 10)
Okay, first things first: Are you seriously telling me we have to wait till March for new episodes? Is this a new kind of torture?
If it is, it’s working.
Especially because Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 10, “The Oath” is a master class in how to raise the stakes. And then keep raising them.
Worried about Hannah? It’s okay, she’s fine. And by fine I mean alive, because she’s got more problems than I can count on my fingers.
All my fingers.
Sort of hoping that Peter MacLeish would be exposed? Well, close but no cigar. Can’t ask for much more development than this episode gave us, though, at least not till the actual season finale.
Unmasking such a big part of the conspiracy in episode 10 only makes sense in our daydreams.
Desperate for Kirkman to finally be in the know about things? We’re getting there, slowly but surely.
(Fingers crossed that a meeting between a hopefully-alive-and well Tom Kirkman and a hopefully-alive-well-and-not-in-jail Hannah Wells is in our immediate future)
Happy to see Emily and Aaron getting close? Not so fast, it’s just midseason. An obstacle was bound to appear.
Trust me; I’ve been around this shipping block once or twice in my time.
Surprised that the show is capable of cramming out all of this development into an episode? Yes, me too.
But surprised is not all I am – I’m also thrilled. And excited about what’s coming in the back half of the season.
The best shows – the best episodes – are often the ones that provoke a visceral reaction in us. If you’re legitimately worried for the characters, if you’re screaming at the screen, if you’re feeling anxious, then the show is doing its job.
Congratulations Designated Survivor. You more than did your job.
I’ve got legit anxiety about the fate of President Tom Kirkman, even if my brain tells me there’s no way he’s getting killed in the midseason finale. My anxiety extends to the first lady, Aaron, Emily and Mike, though, and the chances of one of my favorites getting hit are still pretty high because we just don’t know what happened.
The possibilities are endless.
Remember how I said this episode is a master class in raising the stakes? It’s also a study on how to leave your viewers wanting more. So much more.
Cliffhangers are only effective if you care about the people who stand to get hurt – and on this show, there’s no one we care about more than Tom Kirkman.
Except perhaps Hannah Wells.
It’s going to be a long three months. Which is why I ask again, why March? January 18th would have made more sense, for, you know, reasons.
Presidential reasons.
But hey, the only good thing about the long hiatus is that it gives those who have yet to figure out Designated Survivor is one of the best shows TV has given us in years, time to catch up.
You’re out of excuses, people.
Here’s your chance to see a good man put into an impossible situation rising up to one of the biggest challenges anyone could ever face.
Here’s your chance to see a functional family who loves each other, supports each other.
Here’s your chance to see a developing OTP, with all the pitfalls that entails.
Here’s your chance for an OT3, for a real friendship between three people who find themselves having to lean on each other as they fight to keep a country afloat.
Here’s your chance to see a take-charge woman be basically the Jack Bauer of this show.
Here’s your chance for suspense, mystery, politics, romance.
Make no mistake about it, if you’re looking for a show to fall in love with, Designated Survivor is one of your best bets. Trust us. We have.
Other things to note:
- We’re shipping Emily and Aaron. Hard. Get with the program.
- Hannah: “If we quit, they win.” – Me: THAT’S AN X-FILES LINE!
- General Shady is still shady. Sorry.
- Kirkman/Truth is my real OTP, though.
- MacBastard’s wife is in on it. The couple that schemes together stays together.
- Mike, I’m so glad you’re not a traitor.
- Because you’re not. I refuse.
- Though if Aaron’s the traitor I’m gonna riot, okay? RIOT.
- I don’t like you, Wynonna Earp. NOT ONE BIT.
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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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
3 comments
Sorry,Aaron + Emily is a GOD HELP US NO NO NO!
They need to be the opposite influences on Kirkman,not a couple,and I’m perfectly happy if he turns out to be a traitor.
Are we sure that Mike is not encouraging suspicion of Hannah for bad reasons?
Fine, I forgive you for not shipping it, LOL. It’s not the kind of show that’ll really focus on it unless it causes trouble, which, depending on how it’s handled, could still be interesting. We’ll see.
I don’t think Aaron’s the traitor just because it’d be too obvious, but ugh, I don’t want it to be Mike either. Sadly, I don’t want it to be anyone and it has to be someone.
As the Chief of Staff in the woods says ” Its bigger than you think”. Which makes me believe there’s several traitors in the Oval Office.
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