Designated Survivor Review: Bombshell (Season 1 Episode 20)
Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 20 “Bombshell” is really, anything but a bombshell – there are no big revelations, and, other than the fairly predictable ending, no big surprises, and yet it’s still the best this show has done in a few weeks.
Maybe because all the different plots move instead of stagnating, as the show has been doing lately.
Which just leaves the question of – could this have happened before? Could the show have found a better balance, especially in the last 5 episodes or so, between the conspiracy stuff we all wanted answers for, the governing stuff we were interested in and the family stuff we’ve almost forgotten we like?
Most decidedly yes.
SONIA TULLY, KIEFER SUTHERLAND
The main problem, of course, is that the main character of this is the President of the United States, and as such, it’s improbably and frankly, implausible to put him in real danger every week. He’s also won most political battles he’s fought, everyone likes him (me included) and his family life, though more complicated than before, is still thriving.
So the stakes are not as high as they could be. Add that to a woefully underdeveloped conspiracy and the sense of urgency and fear that was so prevalent in the middle part of the season has just evaporated.
I can’t fear what I don’t know – and I really, really can’t fear what I don’t understand.
What’s the point of this conspiracy? We’ve gotten some hints, but nothing concrete.
Do they just want utter chaos? And if they do, why didn’t they just plan attack after attack, after attack? Why give Kirkman a few months to find his bearings?
For that matter, why is Hannah Wells alive?
Not that I wanted her dead – dear God, no. She’s been one of the best parts of this show and it’s immensely satisfying to see a badass female character on TV whose story doesn’t revolve around romance. I’m just – having a hard time understanding what the thought process was.
If she’s still investigating, if she’s out of jail, if she’s so close to figuring the conspiracy – then wouldn’t that mean that she’s briefed someone very high up in the chain of command and that framing her for the FBI bombing that is presumably the plan won’t be that easy?
GEOFF PIERSON
Come on, bad guys. I’m not asking for much here, just some rational thinking. The Capitol Bombing was planned so well and, in comparison this is just like throwing stuff at a wall to see what sticks.
But then again, I’ve just basically described the past few episodes of this show.
“How can I help you?” Alex Kirkman asks her husband at some point in this episode. “Don’t lose faith in me,” he replies, and it feels like he’s not just asking her, but us.
And fine, Tom. I’m here. I’ll be here for one more episode. Chances are, if this show gets a second season, which looks like a certainty, I’ll be here for that too.
But that doesn’t mean I can’t hold you to the impossible standards you proved you were capable of living up to. That’s what happens when you give viewers excellence. They start expecting it, all the time.
Other things to note:
- The whole gag with Seth and the plane is still as adorable as last week, especially when Emily gets involved.
- Maybe it’s just that Kal Penn is adorable, I’m not sure.
- Emily, girl, methinks you approached Aaron because you were a tad jealous that he was eating with another woman.
- ALSO, let’s talk how we’re getting Aaron back to the White House next season, because I need Aaron in my TV screen every week.
- Preferably without hair gel.
- Abe Leonard is gonna get killed, right? Someone has to get killed in the season finale.
- Tom Kirkman is just too good a guy. He exudes goodness. He’s literally the guy who’s just too good for this world.
- I thought that scene with Seth where he’s telling Kirkman that he trusts that whatever he does he does for a reason is especially poignant considering how this show started and what Seth thought about Tom Kirkman when it did.
What did you think of this episode of Designated Survivor? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Reviewer Rating:
User Rating:
Designated Survivor airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on ABC.
Follow us on Twitter @telltaletv_
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
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