This President is Not Here to Play With You.

The Show: Designated Survivor

The Network: ABC network

The Genre: Drama

The Challenge: Give a show four episodes with which to draw you in, impress you, challenge you, make you feel something deeply. Four episodes for the chance to find out if you care what happens to the characters you’re watching enough to become invested in the story. If after all that, it does none of those things for you? Then no biggie. You gave it a good shot and you can move on. But if you love it, you’ll be glad you stuck around.

The Premise: The “Designated Survivor” is now President of the United States of America. Totally unprepared for the role, President Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) has had to adapt and learn quickly as both domestic and international issues and tragedies unfold.

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The President of “Designated Survivor” season two is not the president of season one. Season one, a meek, scared man became President of the United States of America. One that doubted his decisions, let others take control, and seemed afraid of his own shadow. The President of season two would punch that guy in the face. There is no doubt who run the country and the White House in season two, President Kirkman. This new president launches a drone to kill a terrorist, takes those who challenge him to court, and navigates the political landmines like it’s an amusement park.

The White House Staff? Squad Goals. They are Finally a Team.

There were a lot of adjustments that had to be made in season one, and a great deal of time was spent trying to put the right people in place. Those people, the President’ staff, spent a great deal of time trying to figure out their roles in the Kirkman White House. In season two everyone has their jobs and are doing it well. Agent Wells (Maggie Q) finally ends her hunt for Lloyd (Terry Serpico), the capital bombing terrorist, only to be left to solve a mystery he left behind. Emily Rhodes (Italia Ricci) the President’s right hand woman, is no longer battling Aaron Shore (Adan Canto) for a seat at the table. Now, they are more like teammates instead of competitors. With the assistance of the more confident, Seth Wright (Kal Penn), and newcomers, Kendra Danes (Zoe McLellan) and Lyor Boone (Paulo Costanzo) problems are bounced around and solutions found quickly. The team is now in place, and the White House is running more smoothly.

“This is not a government of one.” -President Kirkman

We are glad the infighting is over, for the most part. The doubts, the uncertainty, the musical chairs of power and decisions got in the way of getting things done. Seth’s insecurity and hesitations, Agent Wells constant fighting the system she worked for, the conflict and mistrust between Emily and Aaron was exciting, and even cute at first, but got old. It helps that newcomer Lyor has jumped on board as White House Political Director. Even though he is brilliant, he has become an annoyance the rest of the staff can all rally against when needed. He is one of the smartest guys in the room, but he is also the guy you love to hate. The smart, and a lot more personable, Kendra is also a welcome addition due to the creative way she can solve problems. One of the new President Kirkland’s talents seems to be finding good people. He recognized how valuable she could be right away. As new problems arise for the President, his family, and the country, the focus now is firmly on excitement and thrill of political intrigue.

Rest in Pieces. Lloyd is Blown to Bits.

The first episode of season two brings to close the pursuit of the Capital City bomber, only to create a new mystery to solve. Lloyd’s reign of terror ended when President Kirkman ordered a drone strike on the bunker Lloyd was hiding out in. A drone strike the president had to fight to make happen and many people with the government were not happy about. Before dying, Lloyd went to the home of the President’s mother in law. At the time it was unsure why. Later, Agent Wells discovered Lloyd left files there. Files that she believed he wanted to be found. Files that implicate the first lady’s mother, Eva, in a conspiracy. Was our terrorist just a man out for revenge?

“Playtime is over!” - President Kirkman

Over the last four episodes and continuing throughout the season we will find out how far and wide this conspiracy involving the first mother-law will go. Those involved are turning up dead as Agent Wells tries to hunt them down. The press has yet to find out, but they will. The press always finds out and it won’t be pretty when they do. Will this be the first major scandal for the Kirkman administration? Bringing the end to a terrorist’s reign may have little positive impact once the truth is learned. Drones used against American Terrorists is a slippery slope to be sure, and we are also not sure Lloyd is actually dead. Tough decisions were made in a short amount of time. There will be no escaping the consequences and there will be consequences. Was there enough time to think it all through? We are not buying the ending to Lloyd’s story, and we look forward to seeing where this story goes.

When Your Mother- In- Law is the New Terror.

Family has always been a major theme throughout Designated Survivor. There is nothing more important to the president, and these relationships are constantly being tested. So far the biggest threats have come from outside their family, but this season it literally coming from the President’s mother in law (Bonnie Bedelia) in an effort to save her husband’s life Eva used her position as a government secretary to provide information to someone that could get her husband’s name put on the top of the transplant donor’s list. The deception worked, and she saved her husband’s life. Eva kept this secret, even from her own daughter, for decades.

‘We have weathered so much together, we will weather this.” - President Kirkman

What do you do when the bad guy isn’t really a bad guy. Suddenly, the FBI wants to question Grandma for breaking the law. Face it. It’s a curious and engaging problem for characters and viewers. The first mother- in- law did what she had to do to save her husband. The problem (besides it being illegal) is that it seems that everyone who knew about it are ending up dead. Who is killing them? What are they trying to find? Will Eva be next? It’s an interesting dilemma. Someone in the White House, someone in the first family, has becomes the biggest threat to the Kirkman presidency.

Stories That Reflect What’s Happening in the Real World.

In just four episodes Designated Survivor has taken on confederate statues, using drones to attack domestic terrorists on American soil, pharmaceutical companies, and immigration. With each social, international, and political issue confronted we cheered. The show looks like the real world we see on the news everyday. Unfortunately, in our world the doubt, fear, and uncertainty surrounding these issues often overwhelm us. It’s often the complexity of the problems that really scary.

“I’m not going to milk human tragedy for political gain.” - President Kirkman

The Kirkman White House is different. Problems seem simpler, more manageable. Deadly flu outbreaks are solved with the same ease as finding out who broke a White House vase. Viewers have gotten a chance to watch solutions to some of our nation’s biggest issues play out on screen. We have watched a president handle these issues with compassion, intellect, and a new political savvy. It’s been cathartic, reasoning g, and almost comforting. It made our biggest problems seem somehow not so impossible. It’s hard not to walk away feeling a little bit better about the nation and how obstacles will be overcome in the future. Our President Kirkman, for at least one hour a week, makes us a better country.

President Kirkland is Finally the Leader the Country Deserves.

No longer a man afraid of conflict, no longer a man who is simply afraid, President Kirkman makes season two worth watching because he finally becomes the leader we spent an entire season waiting to see. The guy that excuses himself to hide in another room has been replaced with a guy that handles deadly flu outbreaks in the morning, takes a CEO to court in the afternoon, and charms a civil rights leader in the evening. He has put his team in place and knows when to take their advice and when not too. When a family scandal looms because of his mother- in -law he doesn’t finch.

As much as we love that happy ending at the end of each episode it’s time for something to go wrong. So far, at the end of each episode most of the problems have been solved. Our president never seems to be out of control. We almost feel sorry for Agent Wells, whose biggest scene seemed to be getting told off by the First Lady in episode four. Last season she lost the love of her life, her boss and friend got sent to jail, and people were out to kill her. The poor thing must be bored. That’s what is missing. That constant fear that one of our favorite characters could die at any moment, that feeling of suspense because we didn’t know what would happen next… it’s gone. Viewers love to see our heroes do well, but we do still need to be reminded why they are our heroes.

Not enough can be said about how amazing the cast has been so far this season. We continue to learn more about who they are and their backstories. It will be particularly interesting to see how each one handles the obstacles ahead. The more we learn the more we like them and the more invested we become.

Designated Survivor returns next Wednesday, October 25th at 10/9C on ABC.