A dopey new hourlong about an explosion that elevates a U.S. secretary of housing and urban development named Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) to President of the United States, “Designated Survivor” comes to us from screenwriter David Guggenheim, best known for scripting two 2012 movies – “Safe House” (which garnered 56% positive reviews from “top critics” polled by Rotten Tomatoes) and “Stolen” (0% positive).
The premise is promising but the actual first episode swims in inauthenticity and characters far too dim to be trusted to run this nation. Kal Penn gets the worst of it, playing a boneheaded speechwriter almost certainly stupider than Penn himself, a former White House staffer early in the Obama administration.
Also destined to instigate a million eye-rolls is a blustery general who seems to want to depose the new president and wage an immediate counter-attack on foreign entities that may or may not have blown up the Capitol.
I think I first learned about the real Designated Survivor via a 2000 episode of “The West Wing” in which Jed Bartlet discussed with his secretary of agriculture (Harry Groener) what to do in case terrorists blew up the House of Representatives chamber during his state of the union address. Elaborate rules of succession also informed the Sci-Fi channel’s “Battlestar Galactica,” in which a secretary of education ended up as president of the colonial government following the Cylons’ decimation of Caprica.
I wish very much ABC had purchased this premise and given it instead to “West Wing’s” Aaron Sorkin or “Battlestar Galactica’s” Ron Moore. Or even longtime “24” showrunner Howard Gordon.
Sutherland's new series, ABC's Designated Survivor, is being sold as one story, when in fact it's trying to be at least five or six at the same time — some much more interesting than others, and some so frustrating they have me fearing the creative team doesn't think the premise is enough to sustain an ongoing series. ... Still, Kiefer Sutherland + terrorists + the presidency has been an excellent dramatic formula not too long ago, and we saw over 8 seasons (plus a movie and a miniseries) of 24 that he has the talent to make even the most ludicrous story ideas feel real and important. …
... The execution of this premise, which takes up not quite the first half of the pilot, is taut, fast-moving and reasonably believable, offering some promise that Designated Survivor could develop into an entertaining hybrid of political thriller and family drama. Once Kirkman arrives at the White House, though, the momentum fades as various tedious-looking subplots are introduced, and disbelief becomes more difficult to suspend. …
... Sutherland clearly relishes the chance to play an urban-policy wonk who has to dig deep to find the courage to lead a nation in crisis. It would take another two episodes at least (not available for this review) to determine where creator David Guggenheim and his writers will take things from here: Is it a Sorkin-esque policy drama heavy on code-red threat levels? A family drama? (The Kirkmans, of course, come with a disobedient Trouble Teen.) An action thriller? All of the above? The dust may take time to settle, but dammit, Chloe, we don’t have much time!
The San Francisco Chronicle says:
... There may be brainier series coming along this season, but it’s hard to imagine anything as gripping and flat-out fun to watch as this drama about a man whose life is suddenly and radically changed by events beyond his control.…
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says:
... has its share of gaps in logic but it’s engrossing, if not entirely believable, and features the best opening scene of fall’s broadcast drama pilots. …
... The pilot is tremendous. It’s tightly plotted, and, despite being about terrorism like “24,” it brings Sutherland out of the shadow of can-do Jack Bauer. Also, it’s cinematic, with some shocking images of a fiery disaster at the Capitol. The show offers the vision of a political jolt at a time when real-life politics is mid-jolt. But how will it proceed, as a superficial action thriller or a more thought-provoking political drama? That choice will make all the difference. …
... arrives as the most satisfying opening hour of any new broadcast drama. But that doesn’t mean it won’t leave you with a few concerns for the hours to come. …
... It’s annoying how good “Designated Survivor” is. Annoying, because the topic is so ridiculously cheesy, and the emotions so deliberately over-the-top. And yet the concept is immediately engrossing, and the execution nearly seamless. …
... Do people really want to watch a show where Jack Bauer — okay, fine, a guy named Tom Kirkman who looks like Jack Bauer — doesn't kick everybody's ass and jump on the subnet with Chloe to bring down terrorists by any means necessary?! Who are those people? …
10 p.m. Wednesday. ABC.
