Designated Survivor – Staffel 1 by Author’s Name

Not 24 TG
Kiefer Sutherland the actor very pleasantly surprised me after I burnt out on 24 and the Jack Bauer superhero stereotype. He plays the somewhat nerdish Secretary of Housing, etc., then the steel willed POTUS confronting a duplicitous Iranian ambassador with an ease that made me realize her really is a fine actor with a lot more range than just playing a man who cuts off fingers to attain information that will save the world. I hope for a streak of compassion that is supposed to be there in the character of Tom Kirkman.
The MacGuffin, of course, is almost straight out of a Tom Clancy novel, with the Capitol being completely demolished by an act of terrorism (?) and the entire chain of succession, except for a lowly cabinet member, being removed in one disaster. The succession of events from Kirkman’s perspective is well done, although I suspect the Secret Service would be more forthcoming with information than is depicted in the few moments before Kirkman looks out the window at the demolished Capitol. I agree with others that the character of the four star is more out of Doctor Strangelove than would be realistic today, although the general’s assumption that Kirkman is out of his depth is a realistic depiction of a political/military attitude. Considering treason is, however, not realistic, and the dispute should have been framed in better terms.
I greatly enjoyed the irony of the almost fired Secretary becoming the President. Who doesn’t have this kind of fantasy at some point in their life, I know I have and I’m not unusual. I’m smiling as I write this, as a matter of fact. But it does set the stage for all kinds of conflicts between those loyal to the old president and those loyal to Kirkman. I look forward to seeing how that particular conflict plays out, especially since we have already seen the steel in Kirkman’s confrontation with the Iranian ambassador.
Finally, I look forward to seeing Tom Kirkman, supposedly a champion of the poor and disenfrancised, revealed as he faces the constant challenges of the presidency, and (need I say) the effort he must make to be reelected in three years.
I will be a faithful watcher, with anticipation of watching Kiefer Sutherland in a new, challenging role.
——————- Follow Up
I just finished watching episode 2, The First Day, and I like the direction of the more subtle aspects of the plot that shows that Kirkman’s strength and courage, very well carried by Kiefer Sutherland, are affecting those around him, such as in the willingness of Aaron Shore – who is *not* the chief of staff – to stand up to General Cochrane near the end of the episode. Kirkman again shows both his strong side in confronting the recalcitrant governor of Michigan, and his compassionate side in revisiting the site of the bombing, this time incognito, without the cameras. Surprisingly well done for a weekly television series.

Je n’ai même pas fini de regarder la saison entier que je trouve déjà cette série génial !

L’intrigue est vraiment très prenante avec un suspense très intense ! On se croirait dans la série 24H Chrono, mais de façon dériver. En effet les personnages ne sont pas les mêmes, mais on retrouve tout à fait l’univers de 24H Chrono :
– Intrigue prenante
– Suspense intense
– Complot
– Un vraie scénario très bien fini
La seule différence entre les deux séries, c’est qu’il y a moins d’action dans #Designated-Survivor. Mais c’est Minime.

Ceux qui ont aimé 24H Chrono et d’autre série de ce type, foncez tête baissée !

Designated Survivor was a show about a HUD Secretary named Tom Kirkman, played by Kiefer Sutherland, Kirkman is named the Designated Survivor (the one cabinet member that does not attend the State of the Union) and becomes President when a terrorist attack wipes out the entire government (almost) on an attack on the Capitol during the State of the Union address.

The first season of the show intertwines two storylines. The first was trying to figure out who was behind the attack on the Capitol. The second storyline involved Kirkman figuring out how to be President, and trying to rebuild the government, as well as trying to run the country with the majority of the government gone. The two storylines largely remained parallel to each other, only intersecting at certain times. Maggie Q, arguably the second lead of the series, plays FBI agent Hannah Wells, who was the lead agent trying to figure out the conspiracy. The White House Staff included Adan Canto (playing the Chief of Staff Aaron Shore), Italia Ricci (playing Advisor Emily Rhodes), LaMonica Garret, (who played lead Secret Service Agent Mike Ritter), and Kal Penn (who played Press Secretary Seth Wright). Penn was also a consultant on the show and provided knowledge of his time working in the White House. The rest of the cast was rounded out by character actors including Natascha McElhone as the first lady, McKenna Grace and Tanner Buchanan as Kirkman’s son and daughter, Malik Yoba as FBI Deputy Director Jason Atwood, Reed Diamond as the FBI’s version of the head of Internal Affairs, and Virginia Madsen as Congresswoman Virginal Hookstraten, who was the Republican Designated Survivor.

For those who get the DVD set, the 21 episodes are spread across five discs. There are only a handful of extras including the entire first speech Kirkman makes after being sworn in, a set tour hosted by LaMonica Garret, and a making-of featurette that features interviews with the cast and the showrunners. So, if you like political dramas with some action and suspense mixed in, this is definitely worth watching.

Vous avez aimé 24 ? vous allez adorer cette série ou Kiefer Sutherland tient un rôle aux antipodes du héro survitaminé avec son téléphone greffé à l’oreille. là le héro est un petit ministre sans importance, qui voit sa vie basculer du jour au lendemain, qui grade tout au long de cette saison sa part de gentillesse et d’humanité.