Designated Survivor Review [1×03]: “The Confession”

With potential conspiracies and betrayals running amok, ‘Designated Survivor’ displays some issues.

Based on the foundations built by the opening two episodes, it seemed almost inevitable that, sooner than later, ‘Designated Survivor’ might venture into the territory that the third episode, “The Confession”, did. As a political show, it could only really go in this direction. What “The Confession” attempted to convey is, essentially, the dirty portrayal of the United States government. And while that may or may not carry some weight, it doesn’t necessarily make for great television.

“The Confession” saw President Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) have to deal with a hack into the White House, the existence and subsequent leaked release of a video confirming Al-Sakar’s involvement in the terrorist attack, a potential coup, media backlash from an interview and a possible betrayal from his new chief of staff. Busy day. Elsewhere, Alex (Natascha McElhone) discovered Leo’s (Tanner Buchanan) secret money-making scheme, and Wells (Maggie Q) tries to explore her theory on the bombing after a survivor is discovered in the wreckage.

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In D.C., trust no one.

In last week’s review, I noted that Kimble Hookstraten (Virginia Madsen) was likely to be a problem for Kirkman. And while nothing substantial has been set in motion as yet, it didn’t exactly take long for things to lean that way. Her being asked to deliver a eulogy at President Richmond’s funeral after Kirkman’s interview wasn’t – at least to our knowledge – an intentional attempt to usurp him, but the effect was essentially the same.

He was saved only by Aaron (Adan Canto) leaking the Al-Sakar video, though even that undermined Kirkman. It’s a tough choice – continue with the public doubting Kirkman or unite them against a perhaps wrong enemy. Later, after being appointed chief of staff, he’s handed a file on Kirkman and the dialogue – “Anything good?” “Depends whose side you’re on.” – indicates some hostility.

“What you did wasn’t just duplicitous or cynical, it was directly insubordinate.” – Tom Kirkman

At this point, it’s hard not to look at this show like it portrays the government in the most depressingly terrible and cynical way. Maybe it’s attempting to provide some form of social commentary on the state of politics, but at the moment, it isn’t working. Certainly not from a television standpoint. It’s somewhat tiring to follow when, already, ‘Designated Survivor’ is casting doubt over the motivations and positioning of virtually all of its characters. There’s only so much conspiracy and betrayal that one show can do, and ‘Designated Survivor’ may already be at its threshold.

If no one can be trusted, the core of the show is liable to fall apart. Particularly in an episode that didn’t even include General Cochran’s (Kevin R. McNally) plans to overthrow Kirkman, it’s noticeable how many people in D.C. simply shouldn’t be trusted. Is that a good foundation for characters to be built upon? Not especially. Worse still, more and more characters are becoming obvious jettisons by the end of the season, if not sooner. This show could have longevity; that isn’t it.

Another designated surviv… Oh, no, it’s just a survivor. And a potential conspiracy.

The Capitol Hill survivor, teased last week, wasn’t Wells’ boyfriend, Congressman Scott Wheeler – who was confirmed dead – but Congressman Peter MacLeish (Ashley Zukerman). He appears the only survivor in an attack that killed 1,000 people. That doesn’t sound suspicious at all.

Lo and behold, Wells discovers that just prior to the explosion, MacLeish wasn’t in his seat, despite having told her he was.

Conspiracies on television are generally risky propositions. ‘Prison Break’, to give one example, suffocated in its never-ending interest in making every conspiracy a conspiracy with further hidden layers. As a narrative tactic, it can get a show out of a situation it couldn’t otherwise explain, but it’s often illogical. And when it isn’t illogical, it feels like conspiracy for the sake of it. And it’s very rarely good.

With so many trust issues elsewhere on the show, does it need another one? Conversely, with so many trust issues in the White House, giving some to Wells’ story includes her in the hypothetical circle of mistrust. But there’s no real need for it. Perhaps the resolution is to have him be a straight-up traitor, and that might work.

But it will almost certainly amount to the U.S. government playing some role in this attack. And explaining that is an incredible stretch.

Certainly, giving Wells a reason not to be completely secluded from Kirkman’s side of the story as she is right now is a smart, necessary move, but there has to be a better reason for it than this.

Issues for the Kirkman family.

Alex finally learned of Leo’s nefarious dealings as her daughter, Penny (Mckenna Grace), discovered his MDMA. Pressed for an explanation, Leo claims he doesn’t know why he did it – but, fortunately, doesn’t deny having done it.

Eventually, she had to discover the truth. There was no chance that ‘Designated Survivor’ could have sustained too long a period of episodes with him keeping it secret. Not only would that have reflected badly on Alex – whose role in the White House hasn’t been substantial enough to have avoided noticing or realising the truth – but would have felt like a chore to watch. From the opening three hours, Leo isn’t the most compelling of characters. Now, however, there might be something there, but the handling of it needs to be right.

And thematically, the story worked to some degree. With President Richmond’s son, Tyler (Colin Woodell), having pretended to be close with his father at the eulogy only to learn later that Richmond had truly cared for him, despite the job, Kirkman is hours late to the family dinner that he suggested and is kept out of the loop on Leo’s drug issue.

It’s worth wondering, then, how much longer that family dynamic can survive. Leo committing felonies and Tom too busy with the Presidency to make as much time for his family as he wishes doesn’t inspire great confidence. Still, for the moment, the balancing act isn’t collapsing, despite how little I care about Penny and her involvement.

Final Verdict: Like Capitol Hill after the attack, this episode was a mess.

“The Confession” was all over the map. It didn’t know at all what it wanted to be, trying to do far too much at once, most of which was intentionally misguiding or disorienting.

After this hour, I dread to think where the show is going from here. If the outlook is mostly conspiracy and betrayal, I’m genuinely concerned for its trajectory. Everything involving Kirkman’s attempts to handle his new job is legitimately strong; several around him undermining him without his knowledge is not. ‘Designated Survivor’ needs to focus more on Kirkman’s issues adjusting to life in the White House, both politically and personally. If it can do that, things will be on the right track.

Questions and comments:

• Someone – whom I can’t remember – noted on Twitter a couple of weeks ago that Sutherland wears his glasses like someone who absolutely does not wear glasses. I spent considerable portions of this episode noticing and hating that. Either wear them or don’t; removing and replacing them every two minutes is dumb and unrealistic. At this point, it seems like a push-pull of the show wanting to make him look like a regular person and Sutherland not wanting to have to do his Jack Bauer thing with glasses on in fear that it might not work as well.
• Kirkman telling the truth in his interview was simultaneously brainless and reasonable (aside: Why hasn’t he been briefed on – or asked – what to say if questioned on it prior to this?). Normally, I’d suggest it feels like a relatively cheap way to provoke conflict but in context, it makes a lot of sense that people would react very negatively.
• Following on from that, could the episode have made the theme of lying versus truth-telling any more heavy-handed? Yes, I’m talking about “Maybe it’s just easier to lie to the world than it is to be honest with yourself.”
• I enjoyed Kirkman’s story about President Richmond going to see Tyler’s violin recital.
• I’m still convinced that Cochrane was involved in faking an Al-Sakar video to prompt war. See, this is why I hate conspiracies.
• Aaron being made chief of staff over Emily (Italia Ricci) makes sense. Not that the formal title is going to really change how either of them go about their days.

‘Designated Survivor’ airs Wednesdays at 10pm on ABC.