'Designated Survivor' Recap: 'Suckers'

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM...YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK...

We are taught from an early age, that words are just words and they should never have any power over us when people use the harshest ones imaginable against us. But as we grow and set out on our own, we come to learn that words most definitely have power, and what we say matters because what comes out of our mouth can either lift someone's spirits to the sky, or completely shatter their psyche and the sheer power of words is precisely what took the center stage on last night's episode of Designated Survivor. 

Now one might think that a story revolving around a poor choice of words would have no place in a show about politics and normally, I'd agree with you. But this series, well, it's so damn good that it can take just about any subject and make it fascinating and this episode is proof of that, because 'Suckers' was one half brilliant character study when it comes to Tom Kirkman and one half socio-political commentary on how words most certainly have gravity with the public and how using the wrong ones can change public opinion in record time.  

However, as this season is wont to do, it's commentary didn't become a heavy handed lesson on our current world, nor did it offer any easy answers in that same vein, it just made you nod your head and grin with recognition at whom exactly it was taking a jab at before allowing you to get lost in the story and watch Kirkman go from public darling to an enemy of the people all because of a glib and sarcastic remark to a Senator he was trying to woo on a relief bill, and really, it's how Kirkman handled the fallout that made this episode so supremely interesting. Because once it was public knowledge that the word 'suckers' was used in reference to the American people, Kirkman in essence had two options in dealing with the matter, lie to the American people and say he never said that, or smear the Senator in question that leaked this information. 

That quandary put some incredible pressure on the President because of course, Kirkman wanted no part of either option. To lie to the American people would be a violation of his honesty and to smear someone else would make him a true politician, something he has always tried to avoid. But with his agenda stalling in Congress, and everyone quickly turning their backs on a President that was supposed to be for the people, it seemed as though Tom had no choice but to pick one of the uglier options to get his Administration back on track, and just when it seemed he was going to go down that darker road...Kirkman found a way to handle this in classy fashion and win the people back and that, was simply magnificent to see. Because the incredible moral compass that Kirkman operates from is central to what makes this show such a joy to watch and it was a relief to see him own his mistake and use his honesty to his advantage.

Yet, while it was wonderful to see the Commander-in-chief avoid temptation in this episode, what truly stood out to me in this one, is the fact that Tom Kirkman is becoming supremely presidential. Gone is all the doubt and fear that we saw from him in season one, that's all been replaced with confidence and a level head and as evidenced in the closing moments of the episode, leadership that inspires people to be better all around, and while this particular tale didn't do much to advance the overall conspiracy plot, who cares? This was an hour long acting clinic from Kiefer Sutherland and honestly, if the series is going to deliver more episodes like this, wherein we are treated to the President inspiring others to believe that they can achieve wonders, then they can spend the next three years on that plot line because this...this was truly a magnificent story and the best of what this series has to offer. Until next time.

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