“The Mission” (Season-1;Episode-5;aired-10/26/16)
After skipping a week due to the third and final Presidential train wreck debate, ‘Designated Survivor’ is back. Finally we have someone in a Presidential who is a good role model, too bad it’s on TV and not in real-life.
Every time this show starts, I still hear the same intro for “24” and the clock: “The following takes place between…”
The episode starts off where we last ended: the U.S. is preparing to attack those responsible for the destruction of the U.S. capitol and the deaths of nearly the entire government.
The War with the Enemy
They’ve found the target, Majid Nassar of the Al Zakari (sp) terrorist group, holed up in a compound in Algeria. As the U.S. military preps an airstrike, their intel is updated and Nassar has moved and is in the basement of a local hospital, which would kill over 100 people, including a lot of innocent people. Jack, er, Pres. Kirkman won’t have that, and to be honest, Jack Bauer wouldn’t either. They switch to Plan ‘B’ for “Boots on the Ground” and the President decides to green light the project based on a 50/50 success rate, as told by the SEALS commander.
En route to the destination, a dust-storm occurs (which I’m sure Congresswoman Hookstraten had something to do with) causes an emergency landing, where one SEAL is injured. The President briefly considers cancelling the mission, but is convinced that this is their best shot. After breaching the perimeter and blowing the doors, the SEALS quickly go through the hospital, killing some bad guys in the process and ultimately taking Nassar captive. But it comes with a price. The lead commander dies while saving two child hostages. This death weighs heavily on the President who considers that loss a failure. His wife’s words and those of a SEAL who is now home from the mission and who will be able to see the birth of his first child help console him and further realize that his position is not an enviable one.
The War with Hookstraten
Hookstraten and the President don’t like each other and it’s more and more obvious. Even though the President struggles under the weight of the mantle of his new responsibility (and probably some survivor guilt to a degree), I’m sure he’s secretly wishing Hookstraten had been in the capitol.
Without mincing words, she tells the President that if his attack fails, she will openly denounce him. But she also tells him she supports him. She is one confusing lady, who undoubtedly only has her best interests in mind.
She later meets with Agent Wells (Maggie Q) about Room 105. This has me wondering if she was the secret voice telling her about Room 105. She gives up the contractor name a little too easily to the Agent. But, as always, her deals come with strings. The strings are to be told about any information.
My gut tells me she had a role in all of this U.S. destruction. Perhaps not a mastermind and strategist of it, but she probably has enough “dirt” on people that will benefit her later.
The Agent’s War
Agent Wells is still poking and prodding around the Congressman Peter MacLeish, the only Survivor from the Capitol bombing. Turns out the reason he lived was because Room 105 was a safe room, designed as a bomb shelter. That’s where he was when everyone perished in the blast. Not only did most of the U.S. government perish, but it turns out the 8 people who designed or worked on the bomb shelter have all died in mysterious circumstances within the past few months.
Zoinks!
Her supervisor realizes this runs deep and tells her not to tell anyone. Whoops! She’s already told Hookstraten it could be a lead. This could come back to haunt her.
MacLeish’s War
MacLeish, the survivor, is congratulated by the president for surviving. He then throws his support behind the president and the war (unlike Hookstraten). When presented with the possibility of being speaker of the House, he turns it down, to the surprise of Aaron, Emily, and later the President. His answer seems humble enough, because it wouldn’t allow him to “serve” as he feels his job is as Congressman.
The President thinks maybe the assignment was wrong and considers picking him as his Vice President. Maybe this is the way he can “serve”.
But who does MacLeish really want to serve? My guess is the baddies. But for what reason? As they go to war and captive Nassid, MacLeish looks disgusted. Could it be he’s in cahoots with the enemy? Is he a mastermind behind this or a scapegoat?
Time will tell, but so far MacLeish seems to be pretty dirty and involved.
First Lady’s War
The name Jeffrey Meyers comes up as someone in the First Lady’s past. Emily approaches her about it and knows they had a past and that he’s in prison. Turns out when the First Lady talks with Aaron is that not only is he in prison, but he’s spreading rumors that Leo, the first son, might be his. Although the President is aware of a past with the First Lady, he’s not aware of this detail.
Time will tell if this is a red herring or something that Hookstraten will use to undermine the president. If she catches wind of it I’m sure she’ll use it to her advantage. The First Lady already owes her one.
Some things to look forward to:
– What new information will come up when they inevitably interrogate Nassar? Will he really be in charge or a scapegoat?
– How soon will Hannah be able to meet with the President to discuss MacLeish’s involvement? Will it be before he presumably becomes the Vice President?
– Will Hookstraten get to Hannah before Hannah gets to the President?
I enjoyed the episode a lot and am really digging this show. I like how it’s an escape from our current Presidential election, which has been and could even still turn out to be more dramatic than this.
I don’t like how we skipped a week before this episode and that we have to skip next week too. The series will return on Wednesday November 9, the day after the election.
Maybe, hopefully President Kirkman will be our new president.
We can only hope, right?