Designated Survivor is the only new show of the season I have any interest in watching.
The show concerns a terror attack during the State of the Union address that wipes out the President, Vice President, the House, the Senate and other high-level government officials who are in the Capitol Building at that time.
When there is a large assembly of President, VP, House, Senate, etc, one person is chosen to stay behind in the event of just such a thing occurring. After the show premiered, I did see a news report about this, and apparently it is true. Makes sense.
The designated survivor in this case is the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland). He is 11th in line of succession, but he moves up to the top after the attack. No one finds him qualified, and in fact, some people refuse to follow his orders.
However, Kirkman is stronger than they know, even if he is more deliberate in making decisions. He is also a caring individual who wants to live up to his responsibilities and serve the people.
It's a tough adjustment for a married man with two children who previously had a very different job. His first order of business is finding out who attacked the U.S. as the Joint Chiefs of Staff are eager to go after whom they believe is responsible.
This may be a problem a year show, where it takes an entire season for one situation to be resolved, and the second season begins with another problem. So far the investigation of what happened is very exciting and pointing to the involvement of one Senator who was conspicuously absent at the time of the explosion.
The cast is very good, including a nearly unrecognizable Virginia Mattson, whose agenda seems hidden, Ashley Zukerman as the questionable Senator, Kal Penn, Natascha McElhone, and many others, all of whom are top notch.
But there's no question that the quiet strength Kiefer Sutherland brings to the character of Kirkman carries the show. He's excellent as a man who had greatness thrust upon him as he deals with a few supporters, a lot of enemies, and his family.
Very good series. Hope it lasts.
The show concerns a terror attack during the State of the Union address that wipes out the President, Vice President, the House, the Senate and other high-level government officials who are in the Capitol Building at that time.
When there is a large assembly of President, VP, House, Senate, etc, one person is chosen to stay behind in the event of just such a thing occurring. After the show premiered, I did see a news report about this, and apparently it is true. Makes sense.
The designated survivor in this case is the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland). He is 11th in line of succession, but he moves up to the top after the attack. No one finds him qualified, and in fact, some people refuse to follow his orders.
However, Kirkman is stronger than they know, even if he is more deliberate in making decisions. He is also a caring individual who wants to live up to his responsibilities and serve the people.
It's a tough adjustment for a married man with two children who previously had a very different job. His first order of business is finding out who attacked the U.S. as the Joint Chiefs of Staff are eager to go after whom they believe is responsible.
This may be a problem a year show, where it takes an entire season for one situation to be resolved, and the second season begins with another problem. So far the investigation of what happened is very exciting and pointing to the involvement of one Senator who was conspicuously absent at the time of the explosion.
The cast is very good, including a nearly unrecognizable Virginia Mattson, whose agenda seems hidden, Ashley Zukerman as the questionable Senator, Kal Penn, Natascha McElhone, and many others, all of whom are top notch.
But there's no question that the quiet strength Kiefer Sutherland brings to the character of Kirkman carries the show. He's excellent as a man who had greatness thrust upon him as he deals with a few supporters, a lot of enemies, and his family.
Very good series. Hope it lasts.