Designated Survivor Review: Original Sin (Season 2 Episode 13)

Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 13, “Original Sin,” reminds us of why we love Tom Kirkman. We really, really needed this, especially since Kirkman hasn’t been that great of a president since Alex died, as Secretary Moss’ pointed out to him on Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 12.

Kirkman has been struggling. He’s been indecisive and not in the best of moods, which is understandable considering his grief. However, all of this has made him not particularly entertaining or enjoyable to watch.

It’s hard to root for him when you can’t stand behind his actions nor decisions 100%.

“Original Sin” is a breath of fresh air. It’s the return of the man we fell in love with way back during Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 1.

Kirkman realizes that he made a mistake in the past, and he owns up to it. He fights to help out this tribe, to do what is right. He goes above and beyond.

Kirkman: I am your President, but I am also a man who recently lost his wife of 18 years, and I struggle with that every day, and sometimes that struggle gets the better of me. But I make you this vow: I will work every day trying to be a better man tomorrow than I was the day before and a better President because that’s what the American people deserve, and I can only hope that you understand and accept my apology.

Kirkman’s morals have come out to play, and as a result, he’s actually likable again. Don’t you agree?

As I mentioned in my review of Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 12, I agreed with Moss’ assessment of the President. He’s been struggling, and the country, and our opinion of him, has suffered for it.This crisis of the week is a good way to reset, to remind everyone that we are rooting for Kirkman, that he’s worth rooting for.

Honestly, “Original Sin” is a great hour for quite a few characters. Leo, for instance, shines.

His reaction to the protest is a great reminder of why he was brought on in the first place. He understands the optics of situations when no one else seems to.

Lyor absolutely crushes it. He also provides the comic relief by helping the kid with his college application essay.

Seth: I’m sorry, have you seen Lyor? He’s like 5’10”, blue eyes, definitely dropped on his head.

It’s adorable how proud he is of this kid for multi-tasking, and then when Lyor learns that the kid is working on his college application, to Wesleyan no less, Lyor practically adopts the kid.

Part of you wonders if he has anything better to do, but it’s so enjoyable that you really don’t care.

I never knew how much I needed Lyor helping out a high schooler out until now. Maybe he could become a mentor! It might not go super smoothly — this is Lyor we’re talking about — but it would be hilarious.

As far as Trey goes, it’s too soon to tell.

Timing-wise, it makes sense that he would pop back up into Kirkman’s life after Alex’s death. It doesn’t feel strange or ominous that this brother no one has heard of just so happens to roll on into town.

Through Leo, we see that Kirkman isn’t completely responsible for the non-existent relationship he and his children have with Trey. Yes, Kirkman hasn’t made things any easier, but Trey never really stuck around.

Leo: You always talk about family, but what about ours? Mom’s gone. Grandma moved back to Paris. We need Uncle Trey in our lives, but every time one of you walks in, the other walks right back out. It’s not what family does, right?

Leo inviting Trey to a ballgame and Trey shooting it down with obvious excuses is heartbreaking. Leo may not be my favorite character, but he just lost his mom; he needs to be around family.

Hopefully, Trey will be a welcome addition and not a source of unnecessary drama. What’s your first impression of Trey?

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