Have you ever had that experience that something you never wished for is shoved right into your life? And what if it is something you can’t just throw away or say no to and it completely changes your life, making it feel like a rug has been pulled under you?
It can be a sudden death of a loved one, a confirmed illness, bankruptcy, or better yet, presidency of a nation.
Last year, ABC launched a new political drama, Designated Survivor, starring Kiefer Sutherland. The first ten episodes gave us a glimpse into America’s political structure.
In the United States, whenever the President and other top leaders are gathered in one location, such as during presidential inaugurations or State of the Union addresses, an individual who is a member of the US Cabinet (included in the presidential line of succession) will be assigned as the designated survivor. He will be held in a physically distant, secure, and undisclosed location during the event as a precaution to any catastrophic disaster that may occur.
The series kicked off with the bombing of Capitol Hill during a State of the Union address killing the President and all the other leaders. The designated survivor, Tom Kirkman, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, was sworn into presidency.
The first few episodes revolved around the rest of the cabinet members’ apprehension on the legitimacy of Kirkman’s presidency, pacifying the nation, avoiding further catastrophes, and catching the mastermind behind the bombing. It also showed Kirkman’s struggle to do things according to his principles while fulfilling his role as a husband and father to his family.
As the series progresses, you cannot help but relate to the man as he grapples with and weighs every decision he has to make. There is no denying that leadership is a tough position to be in, especially if it is something you did not ask for.
Designated Survivor illustrates the political diorama of the United States. It aptly demonstrates that leadership meant taking great risks, making tough decisions, and having the will to bear the consequences of every choice made. It also shows that a leader does not need to have a crowd behind him in every decision he makes. Sometimes, doing the right thing may mean standing alone.
Also interweaved in the story are a web of lies, deceit, and conspiracy that will surely keep you on your toes. If you liked the series House of Cards, then this is something worth binge-watching during your leisure time.
Designated Survivor’s eleventh episode is scheduled to air on March 8, 2017.