# Designated Survivor Season Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 22, 2016, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556 "2016-09-22T02:44:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2016, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556/61 "2016-09-28T20:25:35Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > But you’re looking at it the opposite way of any president would. He’s not choosing who he wants to lead the country, he’s picking the guy he doesn’t need to be clapping at his speech. I don’t follow you. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2016, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556/62 "2016-09-28T21:27:36Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I don’t follow you. I mean the possibilty that everyone in the chain of command dying at once is going to seem insanely unlikely. So who gets chosen to stay away from the big event is going to be decided for much more mundane reasons. Like, which cabinet members project the image of the speech he’s giving. If the State of the Union contained a bunch of stuff about mortgage reform or homes in flood zones, I would imagine the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development would not have been the Designated Survivor. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2016, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556/63 "2016-09-28T23:03:26Z")
I like the premise; I think it would have made a fascinating pseudo-documentary. Cut out all the family drama, and show us the nitty gritty about how a low-level cabinet secretary would go about forming an administration, reassembling a legislative branch, investigating the attack and providing for national security in a time of crisis. But this isn’t that show. The general getting in our President’s face in the situation room struck me as absurd. No matter how treasonous he feels, he would maintain professional decorum in public. At least, that’s how they would act on The West Wing, which is my gold standard for Washington inner-workings drama. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556/64 "2016-09-29T02:41:24Z")
A rouge state Governor that doesn’t recognize Kirkland’s powers? I didn’t anticipate that development. Glad to see Kirkland show some anger. He’s been overwhelmed and too hesitant. That’s understandable. But he has to show strength too. They’re portraying the unraveling of order and power in the US all too well. It seems quite plausible. The 2nd designated survivor is a real thing. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-truth-behind-the-designated-survivor-the-official-in-charge-of-the-post-apocalypse/2016/09/20/75201a9e-7a95-11e6-bd86-b7bbd53d2b5d\_story.html?0p19G=c](https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-truth-behind-the-designated-survivor-the-official-in-charge-of-the-post-apocalypse/2016/09/20/75201a9e-7a95-11e6-bd86-b7bbd53d2b5d_story.html?0p19G=c) > [@](#): > > And a little-known fact: For the past decade, there have been two designated survivors — one Cabinet member to rebuild the executive branch and one member of the congressional leadership to lead a new legislature. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556/65 "2016-09-29T03:08:22Z")
It’s seems odd Kirkland hasn’t sought out his former chief of staff. He’s accustomed to working with her. Assisting a cabinet member is a different level of responsibility compared to President. But I think she’ll have some role in his administration. I didn’t see her in the second episode. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556/66 "2016-09-29T17:59:53Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > It’s seems odd Kirkland hasn’t sought out his former chief of staff. He’s accustomed to working with her. Assisting a cabinet member is a different level of responsibility compared to President. But I think she’ll have some role in his administration. > > I didn’t see her in the second episode. Wait, is she not that woman who was always arguing with the douchey guy? Man, I’m terrible at faces. Second episode was OK. Definitely the most interesting development was the very plausible idea of governors making power grabs. I do feel that this show (much like 24, which it’s hard to keep from comparing it to) suffers from a compressed timeline. I feel like a governor would be in too much shock for the first 24 hours after an event of this magnitude to start scheming like that. That should be weeks after the event, not days. ---
**Author:** ![Karen\_Lingel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karen_lingel/32/18649_2.png) [@Karen\_Lingel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karen_Lingel)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556/67 "2016-09-29T22:24:42Z")
I thought there were some really good moments. Two of my favorites: President: Can you two ever agree on anything? Guy 1: Yes of course SIMULTANEOUSLY Guy 2: No, not really Woman who may be the former chief of staff (regarding a suggestion for the new cabinet): No not him; he’s made enemies all over the Hill. Douchey: There is no Hill. Woman: Oh god, there is no Hill. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556/68 "2016-09-30T00:56:55Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > The Russian bomb that “must be a dud” is obviously a decoy to deflect suspicion away from a domestic conspiracy. I hope this show avoids the usual governmental conspiracy clichés. The pilot was uneven but good enough that I’ll tune in again for the next episode. If this is going to turn into a conspiracy show like Quantico, I’ll quickly lose interest. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556/69 "2016-09-30T02:36:06Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > Wait, is she not that woman who was always arguing with the douchey guy? Man, I’m terrible at faces. > > Second episode was OK. Definitely the most interesting development was the very plausible idea of governors making power grabs. > I do feel that this show (much like 24, which it’s hard to keep from comparing it to) suffers from a compressed timeline. I feel like a governor would be in too much shock for the first 24 hours after an event of this magnitude to start scheming like that. That should be weeks after the event, not days. I’m bad with faces too. I expected a scene to remind us that she was Kirkland’s former chief of staff. I’ll have to check the first episode and see if it’s the same actress. Anyone else feel the skinny FBI woman will get killed soon? She’s poking around asking questions and may learn something that has to stay covered up. I’m not convinced her boss is on her side either. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556/70 "2016-09-30T02:46:36Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > If this is going to turn into a conspiracy show like Quantico, I’ll quickly lose interest. Too late. That’s already been revealed. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556/71 "2016-09-30T03:12:56Z")
It is typical in that the first suspect is never the guilty party. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556/72 "2016-09-30T03:19:05Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > If this is going to turn into a conspiracy show like Quantico, I’ll quickly lose interest. > > Too late. That’s already been revealed. I know but as someone said upthread, rebuilding the government is a more interesting story. Sort of The West Wing Lite. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556/73 "2016-09-30T16:49:05Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I know but as someone said upthread, rebuilding the government is a more interesting story. Sort of The West Wing Lite. Yes, and that would have been a great idea. Too bad that’s not gonna be what this show is about. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556/74 "2016-09-30T17:41:09Z")
Several thoughts: It’s established in the pilot that this is set during an election year. What are the candidates saying about this? Presumably that will come up shortly. I’m guessing that Hookstratten may be planning on running for President. The general seems to be the only military person that’s speaking to the President. I’m guessing he’s the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Are any of the others surviving? Kirkman should talk to the others, fast. I agree that Leo is annoying. On the other hand, if he seemed like a non-troublemaker, I’d figure that he had a ghastly secret we didn’t know about. A recent Baker’s Dozen was for TV shows that basically had the same plot in every episode. So far (all right, only two episodes) Designated Survivor has been “chaos for fifty minutes, then Kirkman does something to solve one big problem.” The animated opening of this show reminds me of Land of the Giants: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iMIe5utv4n4/hqdefault.jpg "Land of the Giants - Main Theme (First Season) - Music Composed and Conducted by John Williams") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMIe5utv4n4) ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556/75 "2016-09-30T20:06:17Z")
Some thoughts after two episodes: 1. I like it so far and plan to keep watching but Keifer’s Whisper Talk annoys me. 2. So who do you think will be to blame for the attack? It won’t be a Muslim terrorist group, I don’t think. I also don’t think the show will make it right wing militia type guys for fear of upsetting people so what does that leave? Old White Guy Corporation conspiracy perpetrated by Patsies? 3. So is Virginia Madsen sincere or up to something? By the by, I have had a crush on her since Electric Dreams and she is still stunning. ETA: I got the impression that the election had just passed, the President won his second term but it had not stated yet so Keifer was being let go. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556/76 "2016-09-30T20:11:15Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > 1. So who do you think will be to blame for the attack? It won’t be a Muslim terrorist group, I don’t think. I also don’t think the show will make it right wing militia type guys for fear of upsetting people so what does that leave? Old White Guy Corporation conspiracy perpetrated by Patsies? . Yep, Old White Guy Corporation conspiracy perpetrated by Patsies, or just a secret hidden cabal of government insiders. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556/77 "2016-09-30T20:26:02Z")
So far I am liking the show, but I need a scorecard to keep track of all the characters. All the Oval Office characters blend together, except for the rebel General. I am little put off that the State of the Union address in January and this show started in September. Now I am sound like one of the SDMB continuity police on the Big Bang Theory. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2016, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556/78 "2016-10-01T18:16:04Z")
I did find it amusing that the Governor was from Michigan. Our actual Governor can’t even stand up to the loonies in his own party. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556/79 "2016-10-02T23:33:57Z")
So the government official being told they’re losing their job hours before unexpectedly; where have we seen that before? **Battlestar Galactica** and **Commander in Chief** for starters. I’m sure there are other examples. > [@E-DUB](#): > > In this scenario, were I the President, I would request the state governors to convene their legislatures and request that they be granted the power to appoint Representatives. Pretty sure that would pass Constitutional muster… No, it wouldn’t. Vacant Senate seats can be filled by gubernatorial appointment if the state constitution allows, but House seats can _only_ be filled by popular election. After something like this every state in the union would be rushing to call special elections as soon as possible. > [@GaryM](#): > > That bothered me as well. I figured they go to that shelter place in Virginia or wherever that’s all set up to hold the leaders. White house is next on the target list. In the coming attractions they showed flickering lights etc. indicating trouble ahead. Same here; shouldn’t the Designated Survivor already be at Mount Weather, or whatever the secure undisclosed location is? Wasn’t Kirkman already in a government bunker with his wife during the speech? :dubious: They sure as Hell weren’t watching from their own living room. > [@Quimby](#): > > …3. So is Virginia Madsen sincere or up to something? By the by, I have had a crush on her since Electric Dreams and she is still stunning… If she’s the sole surviving member of the House of Representatives wouldn’t that make her _de facto_ Speaker of the House (& thus next in line). Can she constitute a quorum by herself seeing as how all of the other seats are now vacant? There’s [some](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidential_Succession_Act#Presidential_Succession_Act_of_1947) debate over whether the House can displace a cabinet officer who’s been sworn in by electing a new Speaker, and also whether placing Congressional leaders in the presidential line of succession is even constitutional in the first place. Granted they’ve also made it clear that not a single member of the Supreme Court survived so a power play by the Congresswoman would be very messy indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556/80 "2016-10-02T23:51:38Z")
In reality, there are retired members of Congress (particularly the House but even some senators) all over the country (and even retired and former Congressional staffers). My guess is that these people would be the first we’d turn to in order to staff a reconstituted legislative branch. What I wonder, in a scenario like this show is laying out, is whether we’d rebuild the US Capitol building much as it was, or would a new building be designed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/designated-survivor-season-thread/766556.md?page=5)