Designated Survivor Review: Lazarus (Season 1 Episode 18)

We’ve got a mole.

And it’s …what’s his name again?

Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 18 “Lazarus” does more to advance the conspiracy than any other episode beforehand, and yet, despite that, it all feels rather anticlimactic.

Jay Whitaker wasn’t really at the top of anyone’s list of possible suspects. In fact, he wasn’t really in any list of suspects that I’d seen, mostly because, till this episode, no one could actually remember who he was and what he did.

I had to look it up afterwards, both his name and his title. That’s how forgettable he was.

As if that isn’t bad enough, the guy who leaked the information on Hookstraten was equally a nobody – a disgruntled old employee who made his first appearance this episode.

Now, I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy the conundrum this presented for the ever-moral Tom Kirkman, or the OT3 team up of my absolute faves: Emily, Aaron and Seth that this problem gave us, but …couldn’t it have been Bowman? We already hate him after all.

Mole/Traitor reveals usually fall in one of two categories: Either they’re so obvious everyone sees them coming or they’re so under the radar that absolutely no one could have guessed them, and therefore, no one cares.

This episode falls victim to option #2, and it does so in more than one respect, because the Hookstraten reveal would also have benefited from a familiar face.

But, it was either that or take one of the big players off the board and with the way this cast has gelled, I have a hard time blaming the show for going the boring route.

I also somewhat appreciate them throwing a wrench in the Hookstraten for VP bandwagon, not because I don’t want her as VP, but because I really, really want her and if they throw a wrench now they’re less likely to throw it later.

What I don’t appreciate is Hannah being so careless as to stay in a creepy ass, random hotel in the first place. Hannah, girl, I’d be sleeping in a cot in that office if I were you. Trust no one should be your motto.

It kept Mulder alive for a really long time.

Next week should be all about Hannah and I can’t say I’m angry about that because Maggie Q is a badass, but I also hope the episode advances the plot in some significant way. All this setup is perfectly nice and well, but it’s time for some resolution.

And, also, it’s time for the United States, even a fictional version, to have their first female VP. I’m Team Kimble all the way.

What do we have to do to get this?

Other things to note:

• It’s been a while since I’ve seen such blatant product placement. I actually thought the car was going to explode or something, that’s how long they focused on the magic that is turning your Ford Fusion on with your phone.
• Aaron, let’s talk hair gel. Say no to the hair gel. That’s how you get Emily to pay attention to you again.
• Abe is going to end up being really important for some reason that I can’t fathom right now, right? Because right now he’s not giving us anything we don’t know.
• Penny Kirkman is the most adorable kid ever.
• But, like, what is she doing walking around by herself? PEOPLE ARE GETTING KIDNAPPED AND SHOT AT.
• Never change, Seth. Never change.
• The powers of OT3 make any episode better. I need Hookstraten in the WH if only because I want more Aaron/Emily/Seth.

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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