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Night three
Designated Survivor: Disaster strikes and a low ranking cabinet member has to take the reins of the U.S. government. That much we knew from the promos.
Waiting for the show to start I wrote down some things I expected:
1. The show will be more soap opera than action.
..... result - The show is not a soap opera, but it is constructed like one. There was not so much a story in the first episode as the setting up of arcs for numerous characters. Lots and lots of characters. Switching back and forth between them to hit every emotional moment possible.
2. Another survivor, maybe a senator, maybe a general will make trouble and move to take charge instead.
..... result - It was a general.
3. The first episode will be about the Secretary building toward being accepted as President.
..... result - Fairly accurate, but it's less about him doing it consciously, than his natural magnificent heroism showing through his mild mannered exterior. Yes, I'm being facetious, but that's what they were more subtly aiming for.
4. The struggle against whatever group caused the disaster will be put off till later episode, though there will be lots of talk about doing it right now.
..... result - Most of the talking was done by the general, but otherwise accurate.
The show is a cross between the West Wing and 24 Hours. If you liked one or the other you probably would like Designated Survivor. I think the show touches all the bases that Hollywood values most. High production values, star power, good writing, good direction... There is very little point in talking about the flaws in the premise, because though the flaws exist, people mostly aren't going to judge this particular show on that. Either you'd love the format and give it a chance, or not love it and move quickly on to the next show. In isolation I'd have to say Designated Survivor would be a huge hit. The biggest problem for the show is that high stakes political drama hasn't exactly been a rare thing on TV the last 10 years or so.
Personally I found it too predictable. Given the topic you'd expect the focus, at least in the pilot, to be on emotion. It was, but it was emotion as a way of setting up characters for future bouts of emotional moments, very much not respect for what was lost. Not in any way a bad show, but not my cup of tea.
Score A-
Designated Survivor: Disaster strikes and a low ranking cabinet member has to take the reins of the U.S. government. That much we knew from the promos.
Waiting for the show to start I wrote down some things I expected:
1. The show will be more soap opera than action.
..... result - The show is not a soap opera, but it is constructed like one. There was not so much a story in the first episode as the setting up of arcs for numerous characters. Lots and lots of characters. Switching back and forth between them to hit every emotional moment possible.
2. Another survivor, maybe a senator, maybe a general will make trouble and move to take charge instead.
..... result - It was a general.
3. The first episode will be about the Secretary building toward being accepted as President.
..... result - Fairly accurate, but it's less about him doing it consciously, than his natural magnificent heroism showing through his mild mannered exterior. Yes, I'm being facetious, but that's what they were more subtly aiming for.
4. The struggle against whatever group caused the disaster will be put off till later episode, though there will be lots of talk about doing it right now.
..... result - Most of the talking was done by the general, but otherwise accurate.
The show is a cross between the West Wing and 24 Hours. If you liked one or the other you probably would like Designated Survivor. I think the show touches all the bases that Hollywood values most. High production values, star power, good writing, good direction... There is very little point in talking about the flaws in the premise, because though the flaws exist, people mostly aren't going to judge this particular show on that. Either you'd love the format and give it a chance, or not love it and move quickly on to the next show. In isolation I'd have to say Designated Survivor would be a huge hit. The biggest problem for the show is that high stakes political drama hasn't exactly been a rare thing on TV the last 10 years or so.
Personally I found it too predictable. Given the topic you'd expect the focus, at least in the pilot, to be on emotion. It was, but it was emotion as a way of setting up characters for future bouts of emotional moments, very much not respect for what was lost. Not in any way a bad show, but not my cup of tea.
Score A-