Designated Survivor Review: Two Ships (Season 2 Episode 6)

On Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 6, “Two Ships,” the latest crisis involves Kirkman trying to find a way to rescue the crew of a stranded ship in enemy waters.

Full disclosure: I am currently watching Everwood (currently on season 2), and I love Rookie Blue. What I’m trying to say is I love Gregory Smith, the actor who plays Captain Will Griffin, so I’m not the most impartial person out there when it comes to Griffin.

I am in love with him the moment he appears. What do you think of Will Griffin?

There’s a connection between Kirkman and (the newly minted) Captain Griffin immediately. Like Kirkman, Griffin also jumps rank in a time of a crisis. This connection allows you to see a bit of Kirkman in Griffin.

Kirkman also loves ships and the Navy, so he adorably bonds with Griffin over that. There’s a rapport there, and it’s hard not to care for and root for Griffin.

Then, Griffin tugs on the heartstrings by going down with his ship.

It’s interesting that Griffin is able to make the call to put the country over his own life when Kirkman isn’t able to. Not only does it reveal a lot about Griffin’s character, but it also reveals perhaps a weakness in Kirkman as a president.

Look, I don’t want to be president and have to make those kinds of calls, but it does seem like Griffin does the right thing, the thing Kirkman should have made happen — ensuring Kunami doesn’t get their hands on the Verona.

Do you think Kirkman makes the wrong call by putting the lives of the sailors over the security threat of Kunami getting its hands on the Verona?

Well, my wish is answered. While discussing Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 4, I shared my hope of getting to meet Emily and Seth’s families. I should have been more specific in my wish and asked for happy meet and greets only.

Emily: Do you know what it’s like to be a little girl with a birthday? And you run home from school praying that this is the year your dad sends you card. And you get home and check the mail, and no, it’s not the year. And there never was a year.

Emily’s father is a jerk. Sure, he is nice to people who aren’t family and learns people’s names surprisingly quickly, but he’s awful towards Emily.

Still, it’s great to catch this glimpse into Emily’s childhood.

Emily’s father also brings about a surprising turn of events — Emily and Seth kissing??

Okay, before diving into that, let’s focus on Seth and Lyor comforting Emily. It’s sweet to see them reach out and check on her. Lyor even gives her kombucha!

Kirkman and Aaron apparently don’t notice that anything’s wrong.

Okay, you can argue that Kirkman’s a little busy, but Emily is the only person Kirkman knew and worked with before becoming president. It would be nice to focus on that relationship a little bit more.

At first, I wanted Kirkman to meet Emily’s dad, but after the corkscrew revelation, I’m glad that doesn’t happen. Instead, there should have been a fatherly chat between Kirkman and Emily.

We need to nurture the relationships between Kirkman and his staffers. They should have some personal conversations, even if it is a short scene. Who would you like to see Kirkman spend some more time with?

My main issue with this season, so far, is that Aaron and Emily are acting as if they are colleagues who tolerate each other at work and that’s it. It’s like they had some giant fight between Designated Survivor Season 1 and 2 that we didn’t see.

Aaron not talking to Emily about her dad does not make any sense to me. When he knocks on her door, there’s a moment of hope that they’ll finally have a conversation that isn’t entirely about work, but it doesn’t happen.

Look, I like Seth, but there aren’t any shipper feelings for him and Emily. The kiss comes out of nowhere. It’s a great pep talk, and it definitely deserves a hug. But a kiss?

Seth: Listen because I’m only going to say this once, and you need to take in on board, internalize it, remember it. You’re the greatest thing since sliced bread, and if this guy doesn’t see that, then he doesn’t like bread. And when I say bread, it’s a metaphor because you are not remotely bread-like except insofar that bread is great, fundamentally great like water or air or you.

I’m still aboard the USS Aaron and Emily, and so this development is a little confusing. What are your thoughts on Emily and Seth?

What did you think of this episode of Designated Survivor? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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Designated Survivor airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on ABC. Designated Survivor returns on November 15.

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