Designated Survivor Review: Target (Season 2 Episode 21)

Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 21, “Target,” unfortunately ends the streak of good episodes the series had going. We’re back to boring hours of TV, folks.

Seeing as how we should be gearing up for the Season 2 finale, this is really disappointing.

Aside from bringing back the uninteresting Moss storyline, this hour is all over the place. Designated Survivor works best when it’s telling tight storylines where everything that happens within an episode is all tied back to the main storyline somehow.

Kendra and Trey sleeping together is a bit random, but it’s not an awful thing to have happen. I’m not sure that I ship them though. What would their name be? Trendra? Kendrey?

The news of this new couple leads to some amazing Kendra and Emily scenes, which are definitely the highlight of the hour.

They work together so much that you figured they would be friends, but it’s never shown. Seeing Emily gush over the Trey news and then offer up her couch is sweet and highlights how close the two of them are.

I wish I could say that the rest of Kendra’s storyline is as awesome as her scenes with Emily, but that’s not the case. We’re thrown into a cold case and an immunity deal that Kendra worked years ago.

Lyor: The last independent to win the White House was George Washington, and he won a little thing called the Revolutionary War.

All of this comes out of nowhere. The case facts are a bit hard to follow, and it’s not engaging enough that makes you want to pay close attention. There’s mainly just confusion as to why this is relevant to anything.

We’re almost at the end of the season. Instead of having these final episodes build on something that’s been happening on and off throughout the season, we’re getting new mysteries.

Yes, we’re building more on Moss leaking classified intel and Damian’s murder, but those aren’t exactly thrilling storylines.

Anytime Moss is mentioned or shows up, I roll my eyes. He used to be an interesting character, but instead of becoming an exciting adversary, he has turned into more of an annoyance.

Maybe through the course of a presidential election Moss can redeem himself and become a worthy and entertaining opponent for Kirkman. Do you think Kirkman could beat Moss in an election?

Kirkman really should have known that you can’t throw Ethan West into the mix and expect things to go as planned. It’s kind of astounding that Kirkman didn’t consider the potential negative outcomes of appointing West as special prosecutor.

It seems as if we’re just creating situations that West can be thrown into, and it’s not seeming natural. If West’s appearances were spaced out more, so he wasn’t popping up in one episode after another, things would feel more natural.

I’m sure there has been some passage of time between the events of all these episodes, but for us, it feels like as soon as West is gone, the very next day the White House runs into him or finds some new use for him. Are you enjoying seeing West continually pop up, or has he worn out his welcome?

While Hannah’s quest for vengeance isn’t the most engaging storyline, Damian’s video does hit you right in the heart.

Damien: I really wish things had worked out differently between us, but if I mattered to you even just a little bit, please do this for me Hannah, okay? Please protect my daughter. There’s no one else I can trust.

I’m a sucker for a heartfelt plea, and man does Damian deliver one. Did anyone else tear up?

Right now, it’s hard to tell where Hannah’s quest and Damian’s mystery daughter will lead us. It doesn’t seem like there will be any tie-ins to whatever is going on in the White House, which is a shame.

Stray Thoughts:

• I’m glad the discussion of Kirkman running for President has finally come up. It’s nicely handled too.
• “They’re asking me to lead. I’m doing the best I can to give the people what they need.”
• Emily’s fine…right? I mean it looks like she either got shot in the chest or shoulder.
• Hannah scaring Chuck is absolutely hilarious. I love them.

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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