Designated Survivor Review: Commander-in-Chief (Season 1 Episode 14)

Someone really, really underestimated Tom Kirkman.

Or, did they?

Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 14, “Commander-in-Chief,” throws a new curve-ball at the viewers, makes us doubt yet another person we thought could never be involved in the conspiracy, and shakes up the staff around the President in ways we’re not sure we’ll ever recover from.

Aaron, don’t leave us.

We’re sorry we doubted you. We’re sorry Emily wouldn’t go out with you after it came out that you might be involved. We’re sorry your hard work was only appreciated now that you’re not there to do it.

Don’t go. Don’t break up our OT3.

The genius of this show is not only on the plot – and the plot is as good as it gets – but in the characters. Aaron was the first person we disliked, the first person we suspected, the first person we wanted gone.

And yet, now that he is gone, I can’t but be sad. Even if he’s still around somehow, it just won’t ever be the same.

But, that’s the point of the show, isn’t it? Things are never going to be the same.

Someone, somewhere, for whatever reason, hand-picked Tom Kirkman to be the survivor of a terrorist attack of unprecedented proportions. Why did they? And who, exactly, is involved in the conspiracy?

Aaron looks like the most innocent one of them all, for the first time. Or, he would, if he weren’t for that final look of – what?

Emily and Seth look clean too. Suspiciously clean, even.

Hannah is starting to look hinky. It’s the pointed looks, I’m telling you, they make everyone look like they might be involved.

Mrs. Kirkman has never been more suspicious. She’s just too nice.

Even Mike is a real possibility. Mike!

Yeah, I know. I’m reaching. That’s a sign that the show is doing a really, really good job.

Not only am I interested and engaged, I’m also fearful. I’ve gotten attached to these people – not just to the circumstances in which they exist.

I like that Aaron is really good at the game of politics and is wise enough to mostly hide that deep down, he really, truly cares.

I like that Emily is going to do her job, is more than capable of doing her job, without letting sentimentality get in the way.

I like that Seth can be friendly and articulate and all the things we wish we had in real life.

I like that Mrs. Kirkman isn’t just a pretty face – she’s as well-versed in the issues as her husband.

I like that Mike is loyal and steadfast and that he manages to do his job without ever smiling.

I like that Hannah is smart and kickass and it never feels like she can’t handle the burden that’s being placed on her shoulders.

And I love that President Kirkman is finding out that he can be both a good man, a compassionate man, and an intelligent leader.

I like that there are nuances. I like that these people that populate my TV screen are not stereotypes, but fee like real, live people, who could, perhaps, be doing the same jobs they’re doing on TV.

And I love that this show can give me both non-stop action, political maneuvering and human drama without ever seeming like it’s biting off more than it can chew.

Take me on a journey, Designated Survivor. Just, be mindful of my heart. You’re bound to break it at some point.

I care too much to come out of it unscathed.

All I ask is that the plot makes sense when you do. If it does, I can take it.

I think.

Other things to note:

• “Sometimes you to have to decide between a bad choice and no choice at all,” is really, really good advice.
• That being said, Moss is almost certainly involved in the conspiracy, right? No one just volunteers to come out of retirement like that – do they?
• Am I being too paranoid?
• Don’t answer that.
• Emily’s look as Aaron left was legit one of – bye Felicia. I’m not even gonna miss you.
• Or maybe it was just supreme confidence in her ability to do the job.
• If I’ve learned something is that working on the White House is bad for your health – in all respects.
• Are these actors getting directions to look suspiciously at the camera or what?
• My only gripe with the show is that, sometimes, the situations Kirkman is put in are too clear cut good decision/bad decision, and very often, in real life, things are way more complicated than that. At some point there’s gonna be a win that feels like a loss or viceversa.

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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