Designated Survivor (2016–2019): Season 1, Episode 1 - Pilot - full transcript
A low-level Cabinet member becomes President of the United States after a catastrophic attack kills everyone above him in the Presidential line of succession.
PRESIDENT RICHMOND: There are
times when we make history...
and there are times
when history makes us.
This is a crucial moment
for our nation,
and America's colors burn brightest
when we meet challenges head on.
For far too long...
the wealthiest one percent
have seen their fortunes only grow...
while the rest of the nation
lies in worry.
That needs to change.
The question is,
how do we pay for it?
PRESIDENT RICHMOND: But the
question is, how do we pay for it?
ALEX: It's not even
in the vicinity of what we agreed on.
No! This is not a quid pro quo.
This is,
"You do what I say when I say it
"or you suffer
the consequences."
It's beyond bedti...
Penny, you need to go to sleep,
right now.
Let me talk to her.
No, you can't talk to Dad.
Let me talk to her. Come on.
PRESIDENT RICHMOND:
And not just here at home...
- Hello?
- PENNY: Hi, Daddy.
- Who is this?
- It's Penny.
- TOM: Penny who?
- Penny Kirkman, your daughter.
No, that's not possible.
My daughter's asleep and I know that
because I kissed her good night
almost two hours ago.
When are you and Mommy
coming home?
TOM: It doesn't matter.
You're gonna be asleep by then,
right? Right?
She can't keep pulling this!
I've got an idea.
What if you go to bed right now
and I let you stay up
an extra hour tomorrow night
so we can hang out?
- Sound like a deal?
- Deal.
That's my girl. Give me a kiss.
- Good night, daddy.
- Good night, little pea.
- See? All good.
- Not all good.
- What do you mean, "not all good"?
- Tom, you can't do that!
You can't make promises
that you won't be able to keep.
We're in Washington.
They're the only promises
we're allowed to make.
You know, you need to learn
how to set some limits with her.
Because if not,
she is gonna walk all over you.
I know. You're right.
...values that we hold dear,
that represent who we are...
Here come the greatest hits.
...to ensure you that
the same American dream
shared by our fathers, our mothers,
and their fathers, and...
That's weird.
- ALEX: What is it?
- It won't come back on.
- See if you can get it to work.
- Okay.
Yeah.
No, I know.
Ours just went black, too.
TOm!
- Oh, my God!
- I'll get back to you.
Mr. Secretary,
you need to put the phone down.
- Mike, what is going on?
- I said put the phone down!
We've lost contact
with the Capitol.
We're sheltering in place
until we know more.
I need your government-issued
BlackBerry.
ALEX: What?
AGENT: Do you have
any other devices on you?
- Please, check your bag, ma'am!
- But I... I need...
MALE REPORTER:
We are getting reports
of some kind of explosion
in or around the Capitol building.
FEMALE REPORTER:
We are still...
Mr. Secretary,
get away from the window, now!
ALEX: Oh, my God!
TOM: I thought you said
you were gonna get some sleep.
I'm okay.
National Sleep Foundation
recommends seven hours
to function
as a normal human being.
A working mother
only needs four.
Correction. Only gets four.
Hey.
No. No.
- I'm not doing anything.
- Tom, I have...
- No. Stop it. I have work to do.
- So do I and it's a two-person job.
Come on. You've always said
you're always on my side.
Yes. That's all I want.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
- PENNY: Mom!
- No, no, no. Go away!
PENNY: Dad! Get out here!
I'm hungry! I want some breakfast!
Leave us alone!
You are not loved!
(LAUGHS)
PENNY: Please!
- No.
- Are you kidding?
Okay. You're gonna get
what you deserve.
- I'm making breakfast.
- No. No, no, no.
- Pancakes for everyone!
- Please, no!
- Let me go, woman!
- Oh, God.
Okay, little pea.
How do you like your eggs?
- Scrambled or scrambled?
- Scrambled, please.
Excellent.
Scrambled eggs coming up
for the beautiful girl
sitting at the counter.
And there we go!
- Thank you!
- You're welcome!
Leo. Perfect timing.
What do you want?
- He's making breakfast?
- Unfortunately.
- Hey, I'm slaving over here.
- I'll just get some toast.
Toast, toast.
That's made with bread, right?
Come on.
You used to always laugh at my jokes.
- I used to be nine.
- The good ole' days.
I need you to watch
your sister tonight, okay?
- No. I can't do it. I'm busy.
- I know. Watching your sister.
Come on. It's a big night for me.
I've got the State of the Union.
It is for me, too. I told Caleb
I'd help him outwith something.
- With what?
- It doesn't matter.
It doesn't matter
because I won't like it
or doesn't matter
because I won't understand?
- Both.
- Okay, now I really wanna know.
He's laying down
a new dubstep track
and I need to write a program
for him.
I understood "him."
On a scale of one to ten,
how much do I embarrass you?
- Eleven.
- Excellent.
Hey, you finish
your English paper yet?
- LEO: In theory.
- Finish it.
You can take them, right?
I have to be at court by nine.
Yeah, I got them.
- Bye, peanut.
- Bye, Mommy.
Make us proud.
REPORTER". ...immigration reform,
but the sad truth of the matter
is that Richmond can promise
all he wants tonight.
This Congress isn't gonna lift
a finger to help him.
Well, this can't be good if it won't
even wait until I get to the office.
How about the end of days?
I spoke to Gillings
at Cabinet Affairs.
He slipped me a final copy
of Richmond's address and none,
not a single one
of our talking points are included.
You're kidding me.
Not even housing reform?
All of it,
everything you and I have
worked our asses off
on for months, gone.
Okay. Just get me a meeting
with Langdon as soon as possible.
Already done. We're going there now.
It's time to war up.
Easy, Hannibal.
We should also talk
about leaking your plan to Politico
-if this doesn't work.
- No, that'll backfire.
Maybe, but it'll be out there!
Tonight is about what's in the State
of the Union, not what's not.
We can't just let
the White House
take an eraser
to our entire domestic agenda.
You're the Secretary of Housing
and Urban Development.
It's the president's
domestic agenda, Em.
It's your domestic agenda,
Mr. Secretary!
Okay, and I'll make my argument
for it.
Don't get me wrong.
I'm mad as hell.
At the end of the day, I'm not
the President of the United States.
We should remember that.
All right. Then let's go see
the Chief of Staff.
- Thank you very much.
- Thank you, sir.
SETH: We need to tell
the American people how we're doing,
-we need to get specific.
- LANGDON: Could one of you
find me something heavy
to hit Mr. Wright with? Thank you.
I'm telling you. We need to take
a look at the AB-33 section, okay?
It's muddled. I wrote it,
and I don't even know what it says.
That is the mark of a successful
political speech.
Well done. Now, go forth.
- Mr. Secretary, welcome. Please.
- Charlie.
I'm sure you remember Aaron Shore,
my Deputy Chief of Staff.
- Aaron, good to see you.
- Mr. Secretary.
LANGDON: I'm gonna hazard a guess
and say you're not here
to discuss which color tie
the president is wearing tonight.
That is his call.
If he'll put back in
the Secretary's housing initiatives.
These are programs that can help
millions of low-income families.
No one's debating
its value here, Emily.
Charlie,
there's not a single mention
of any of my programs
in the speech tonight?
- Not a one?
- I know. I'm sorry, Mr. Secretary,
that's how it's gonna be.
The speech is locked.
Does the president value
the Secretary's opinion, Charlie?
Because right now,
it's hard to tell.
Em.
Give us a moment.
I'll meet you outside.
(DOOR SHUTS)
What's going on, Charlie?
Well, Tom,
we were gonna wait until after
the State of the Union
to tell you,
but the president's looking
to make a change.
He would like to offer you
an ambassadorship
to the International
Civil Aviation Organization.
Are you serious?
Was the Chairman of the International
House of Pancakes unavailable?
Tom...
Wow.
This is really not how
I saw today going.
The Civil Aviation Committee...
- Organization.
- Organization.
- Is that even a real thing, Charlie?
- Of course it's a thing.
It's in Montreal.
It's under the UN.
Look, it affords you the rank
of ambassador
with all the trimmings
that go along.
Come on, Charlie,
we've done some good work here.
And we've got lots left to do,
I mean...
I have supported this president
above and beyond for his entire term.
Well,
now it's about the second term.
And I serve at the pleasure
of the president.
So do you, Tom.
ALEX: Don't they realize
what a huge asset you are for them?
Langdon actually tried
to pass it off as a promotion.
You can't take this lying down.
- How else do you want me to take it?
- ALEX: Fight!
Look, he appointed you,
but he can't fire you.
- You need to hold your ground.
- What do you want me to do?
Go to war with the President
of the United States?
The White House never respected you.
That's the real problem.
No, Alex.
The real problem is
I didn't play Richmond's game
all the time.
Oh, Tom, come on!
It's called politics!
- And maybe if you did...
- What?
I wouldn't be out of a job?
Maybe, but then I'd be
like one of those guys,
when I got into this, we had a deal.
I wasn't gonna be one of those guys.
- I don't want to be...
- Tom, it's taken three years.
And we finally settled
into Washington.
I love my job.
Penny loves her school.
Even Leo's making friends.
We can't do this to our family.
I know.
You're right.
Come here. Come here.
Hey. I love you.
We'll make this work.
- I'll commute.
- What?
So, you've made up your mind?
You're stepping down?
I told them I'd give them
my decision tomorrow.
- Wow.
- Alex.
(PHONE RINGS)
Great. Yeah?
What's a designated survivor?
Mr. Secretary,
we need to leave, now!
- Tom! Tom!
- Did you see that? Did you see that?
...motorcade to smoke out
any ambush.
AGENT:
White House is secure. Let's go.
(SIRENS BLARING)
Mike, please,
just tell us what you know.
Capitol's been attacked.
There's still no word
on the president or his detail.
This is Ritter.
Oh, God. Don't tell me that.
What is it?
It's confirmed. Eagle is gone.
- Congress, the Cabinet.
- Oh, my God.
None of them made it.
Yes, sir. I'll let him know.
Mr. Secretary, we're enacting
continuity of government.
A DC appellate judge
will meet us at the White House.
Sir, you are now the President
of the United States.
MALE REPORTER:
Incredibly alarming live shot.
The United States
Capitol Building in flames.
An explosion, should I say
an unconfirmed explosion
going off just moments ago
during President Richmond's
State of the Union address.
FEMALE REPORTER: Of course,
we're reaching out
to all of our sources...
Pick up. Come on.
SCOTT: Hi. This is Scott.
I'm not available right now.
Please leave me a message
after the beep.
Hey, it's me.
Call me when you get this.
I need to know you're okay.
MALE REPORTER:
the president is dead...
Hey, Scott?
DOUG: No, it's Doug.
I need you here right away.
Yes, sir. I'm on my way.
(SIREN WAILS)
We got to get our kids here.
We've already sent agents
to bring them here.
(CRYING)
REPORTER: We are still looking
to get all the information...
Sir, please.
Sir, please.
Ma'am, please hold the Bible.
Just hold the Bible. Thank you.
Sir, place your left hand
on the Bible and repeat after me.
I, Thomas Adam Kirkman,
do solemnly swear...
I, Thomas Adam Kirkman,
do solemnly swear...
...that I will faithfully
execute the office
of President
of the United States...
...that I will faithfully
execute the office
of President
of the United States...
...and will,
to the best of my ability...
...and will,
to the best of my ability...
...preserve, protect and defend
the Constitution
of the United States.
...preserve, protect, and defend
the Constitution
of the United States...
so help me God.
Mr. President. Ma'am.
Mr. President, you're gonna have
to come with me now.
Mrs. Kirkman, the Secret Service
will take you to the residence now.
- AGENT: Ma'am, please come with me.
- Mr. President.
- Right now.
- Please.
Aaron, where are we going?
AARON: The Presidential
Emergency Operations Center.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
COCHRANE: ...every team
we have worldwide.
I want every drone waiting
on full staff
and deployable as soon
as they get the order.
- Excuse me.
- Can you do that?
- Well, get it done.
- Excuse me.
Hey, hey! Hey!
I need you all to be quiet
right now!
Please.
Let's take a moment
for our fallen friends...
heroes one and all.
Thank you.
Maybe we should
go around the table.
Where's the CIA director?
We're still working to set up
a secure comm.
The hell with secure comms.
We have to get him patched in now.
Cellphone, Iandline, Skype,
whatever we got.
Who's got the networks?
Okay, you tell them
we'll be live in 6O minutes
from the East Room, okay?
Nobody talks to any press
of any office or agency
under threat of me ripping
your insides out!
Do we know who's responsible
for this?
Still too early to determine.
We gotta give 'em something,
Karen.
The whole world
is watching us right now.
Exactly! We need to alert
every one of our embassies
to convey to each host nation
that the US is on a war footing
and now is not the time to test us!
Patch me into 24-hour watch
at the Pentagon.
Inform the surviving joint chiefs
we are going to DEFCON 2.
MALE VOICE:
You can't make that call.
HARRIS: The Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs is gone.
FEMALE VOICE: That doesn't give you
any authority, Harris.
HARRIS: We're under attack!
What more authority do you want?
PETER: Who do you think you are?
HARRIS: I want the Air Force
flying in 15 minutes.
PETER: Who are you
to give me orders?
HARRIS: Who are you
to question them, Peter?
I'm not gonna sit on my hands
and hope for the best here!
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(RETCHES)
SETH: Just let it all out, man.
We're all feeling the same way
tonight.
Sorry. I thought I was alone.
Yeah, well...
nothing is what it seems anymore.
You know, an hour ago,
I was throwing back tequila,
celebrating the three lines
I got into a 10,000-word speech.
Swear to God, I don't know
how the hell
we're gonna get through this.
- Same way we always do.
- SETH: Yeah, right.
Do you even know
who's in charge right now?
I'm asking, because I can't even
remember his name.
Kirkman. Tom Kirkman.
Oh, yeah, yeah. Kirkland.
That's right.
The lowest rung on the ladder.
Did you know President Richmond
fired him this morning?
Now he's the president.
He's the one the country's gonna be
turning to in our darkest hour.
Well, maybe he'll surprise you.
Yeah, you mean
maybe he'll... realize
he has no business
running the country?
That he should just...
step aside,
maybe let one of the generals
takeover or the CIA director,
somebody who actually knows
what the hell they're doing?
Fat chance of that happening.
Nobody around here
ever gives up power.
Kirkland's a follower.
We need a leader.
I'm telling you, man, I got
half a mind to make a run to Canada.
You know what I'm saying?
Canada.
Mr. President.
Do you really believe
everything you just said?
Mr. President, let me explain.
- What's your name?
- Seth Wright.
Seth Wright.
You're a speechwriter.
I saw you coming out of Charlie's
office earlier this morning.
You were arguing
about the president's address.
The AB-33 section.
Housing reform.
You really think
I should step down?
I do.
You may be right.
But for now, I'm all you got
and you have...
exactly 52 minutes to write a speech
convincing the American people
that that's a good thing.
(DOOR OPENS)
- ALEX: Penny!
- Mommy!
(HELICOPTER CHOPPING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
ATWOOD: All right, listen up.
No one comes in or out without tin.
I want a secure perimeter,
at least five blocks out.
I want TSA screening equipment
installed now.
- Got it?
- ALL: Yes, sir.
All right, back to work.
You'll also want to send up
thermo UAVs and air sniffers
to look for anything biological
or radiological in the area.
Hannah, you were supposed
to report to HQ.
I was ten blocks away.
- Any survivors?
- No, not yet.
EMS is digging
through the rubble.
- Make sure that Hazmat knows...
- Agent Wells, you're SIOC, okay,
you're not a field agent.
I need you heading up a crisis team
at the operations center.
You don't need me behind a computer.
You need me here.
- I worked both bomb sites...
- Hannah...
...on the ground in Brussels
and Paris.
I know what to look for.
Jason,
please, I need to be here.
- Nolan. Lawrence.
- NOLAN: Yes, Deputy Director?
You're with Wells.
- Anyone claiming responsibility?
- No, not yet.
Alright, Eric,
I want the license plates
of every car parked
in the next three blocks scanned.
If any of them are stolen
or owned by anyone on a watch list,
you tear that car apart.
Mark, bomb disposal techs, CSI,
we catalog what we find
and where we found it. Let's move.
(SIRENS WAILING)
(INDISTINCT YELLING)
REPORTER: Thomas Adam Kirkman
was born December 29th, 1967
in Port Washington, New York.
Before being appointed
Secretary of Housing
and Urban Development,
Kirkman worked in academia
as an educator...
This is insane.
Guy's never been elected to anything.
He ran HUD.
They find affordable homes for people,
which makes Kirkman a glorified
real-estate agent!
He was next in the line
of succession.
I'm sorry, but no one
could have foreseen this.
Why the hell do you think
there's a designated survivor, Nikki?
Because this was foreseen.
Now shut up and let me work.
(HELICOPTER CHOPPING)
.l-ley-
.l-ley-
- What are you doing out here?
- I just needed a minute.
- How's Penny?
- Oh, God. Scared. Confused.
You know, I mean,
just like everyone, I guess.
Is this even happening?
What the hell
am I doing here, Alex?
I'm not the guy for this.
You wanna quit?
I know it's not the right thing
to say...
-but I can't help but feel...
- Like running for our lives.
- Yeah.
- Tom, maybe we should.
Look what happened tonight.
How many people...
We haven't even processed.
And our kids?
Are we putting them in danger?
I mean...
We're a target now. Are they?
I don't know...
- MIKE: Mr. President.
- Yeah?
You said Leo
was at a friend's house tonight.
Yeah, Caleb West.
I spoke to our agents
at his residence
and Leo wasn't there.
He never was.
- What?
- Where is he?
We don't know.
They're gonna find Leo.
Mike knows him.
Secret Service, they're the best
in the world at this.
I know.
- Mr. President. This way, please.
- Please, give me a sec.
I got this.
After you.
This is Major Cameron.
Mr. President,
this is the nuclear football.
It'll be with you
whenever you leave the White House.
These are the launch codes,
verification codes,
a listing
of every classified location
capable of launching
nuclear weapons.
In the event
of an imminent strike,
you can green-light it
using this phone.
It works anywhere on Earth
as well as beneath it.
Do you need my fingerprints
or an eye scan or something?
No, sir. It's not like the movies.
It doesn't work that way.
Of course.
GENERAL: Mr. President,
the UN is in emergency session.
I have a three-page phone list
with every one of our enemies
calling to deny responsibility
for the attack.
HARRIS: All US military bases
are on full alert,
and the USS Eisenhower
is currently hard charging
towards the Fifth Fleet
stationed in the Persian Gulf.
I understand alerting our bases,
but...
why are we "hard charging"
a US aircraft carrier anywhere?
Mr. President,
in the event of an attack...
An attack from who?
You just said all our enemies
are denying responsibility.
Because all warfare
is based on deception
and there are still plenty
we haven't heard from.
I just don't feel comfortable
showing that kind of force yet.
With all due respect, sir,
would you mind telling us
when you do plan
on being comfortable?
You'll be the first to know, General.
Excuse me.
(CLUB MUSIC PLAYING)
Pleasure doing business
with you.
So, how many more bags you got?
- I just sold my last two.
- Still got three left.
Save them.
We got to bounce anyway.
Screw that!
I came here to make money
and have some fun.
(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
- Leo!
- Get off me, man!
Mike? What are you doing here?
(SIRENS WAILING)
- How'd you find me?
- It wasn't easy.
We had to open up an ops center
at NSA...
run the phone records
of all your friends
and classmates through PRISM
until we could piece together
enough chatter keywords
to trace your digital footprint
to the club.
- Really?
- No, Leo.
We pinged your phone.
You're not exactly
a criminal mastermind.
I thought
you were taking me home.
I am.
REPORTER 1: Everyone
is at a complete loss for words.
This is the most devastating attack
on our country since 9/11.
REPORTER 2: And staffers
at the White House
are asking the same question
as the rest of the country.
Who's behind this
horrific act of terror?
Look, can you please
just check again?
My name is Emily Rhodes.
I am Secretary Kirkman's
Chief of Staff.
He was the designated survivor
tonight.
Look, I told you
you're not on the cleared list.
I was just in there
this morning!
Well, a lot's happened since then,
in case you haven't noticed.
Step back from the gate.
REPORTER 3: Intelligence sources
are being tight-lipped
about what has happened
at the Capitol today,
but as of yet,
no one has claimed responsibility
and our nation remains
on high alert.
Thank you for your prayers,
Madam Prime Minister.
You, too. Goodbye.
- Right, where were we?
- The presidential voice.
Which, apparently, I don't have.
You can defend my honor
at any time.
I will when he says something
I disagree with.
Okay, so, what do you think
the presidential voice is?
"All of us here know
there is work to be done.
"We have a responsibility
to light the way for every American."
Sounds good to me.
I imagine it would.
You said it two years ago
in Atlanta at the Conference
for the New Urbanism.
Sir... tonight,
you're speaking to the world.
America doesn't need
another friend right now.
You can't be relaxed or disarming.
That's gonna work anymore.
Mr. President,
you need to be stronger
than you've ever been before.
We all need that right now.
What is it, Tom?
I've gotta go.
Just sit down.
(DOOR SHUTS)
It's okay. We're all feeling it.
- Thank you, ma'am.
- Alex, please.
No, ma'am.
You're the First Lady.
- Hey.
- No, no. Please, sit down.
Sat imagery shows
ten Iranian Navy destroyers
leaving Bandar Abbas port
and taking up positions
along the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz
is where 3O percent
-of the world's oil passes through.
- I know what it is, Aaron.
Mr. President,
this is a purposeful provocation
by the Iranians to take advantage
of the night's events,
and choke off the Western world's
main supply of oil.
Just as we're on our knees,
they're gonna step on our throat.
Aaron.
- I finally got past the gate...
- I can't talk right now, Emily.
Need to get to the PEOC.
- Tom gonna be in there?
- It is his meeting.
Well, then I'm coming with you.
Sorry, Emily, but in there,
it's code-word clearance only.
I've been with Secretary Kirkman's
staff for three years!
It's President Kirkman now,
and you're not authorized.
If you are choosing this moment
for a pissing contest, Aaron...
That's my point, Emily!
This is no contest.
Now, if you'll excuse me...
President Kirkman needs people
he knows by his side!
You and I have our differences.
I know.
And you don't want me in there.
But you also know
better than anyone else
why it is important
that I am there for him right now.
How many more ways
can I say this?
In the morning, our economy
is going to go over a cliff,
and the Iranians
are just seizing the moment!
What do you want me to do,
General? Declare war?
Why not? Forty minutes ago,
they showed me the nuclear football.
I guess I've had it long enough
to try it out.
We've just been attacked.
The world thinks it can test us
right now,
and a full, swift show of force
is the only way to remind them
that our flag
is still flying strong tonight!
And all I'm saying is there are
different ways to show force.
What you need to understand
is the Iranians respect
only one course of action,
and that is action.
This isn't some consumer group
waiting for a photo op
with a figurehead!
(CHUCKLES)
Figurehead.
Well, General,
this figurehead paid attention
during the Cabinet meetings,
where we dealt with this very issue.
And the Iranians have tried
to close off the Strait of Hormuz
for the last 35 years,
so I am having
a difficult time believing...
that they just up and decided
to do that tonight.
And how can you be
so certain of that?
(SIGHS)
When is the Iranian ambassador
due to arrive?
Fifteen minutes.
Okay, General.
You can scramble your bombers,
but they are not to engage.
We are going to do this my way.
If it doesn't work, we'll try yours.
I know you're scared, peanut,
but everything's gonna be okay.
But why are we here?
Because this is...
this is gonna be our new home.
But why?
Because some bad people...
did something bad tonight
and it's Dad's job
to make sure we're all safe.
- Are you scared?
- Yeah.
- Is Daddy?
- Are you kidding?
Dad's not scared of anything.
(SIREN WAILING)
SCOTT: Hi. This is Scott.
I'm not available right now.
Please leave me a message
after the beep.
It's me again.
Where are you?
Please call me back
and tell me you're okay.
I love you.
Agent Wells.
I was looking for you.
- Are you okay?
- Yeah.
Did you lose someone?
I think we all lost someone.
What do you got?
I checked all the license plates
in the area
against every watch list.
Nothing so far.
All right,
get in touch with the NSA.
Make sure that they know...
MALE VOICE: We got something
over here!
- What do we got?
- UXO! We got a UXO!
Clear the perimeter!
ATWOOD: All right.
Clear the area!
We've got a bomb! Back up now!
Clear the area now!
(BARKS AND WHINES)
(HELICOPTER CHOPPING)
ATWOOD: Perimeter is secure.
You may proceed.
Copy that.
All clear. Open it up.
BOMB TECH". Okay. Removing
the outer case.
Hemostat.
- What do you see?
- Wires to the fuse compartment...
to the creep spring...
to the detonator.
But no pressure plate.
Easy.
It's clear. Bomb's a dud.
- Is he here?
- Yes, he's waiting just outside.
Send him in.
AARON: Mr. Ambassador.
- Mr. Ambassador.
- Mr. President.
- Please.
- Thank you.
Please, allow me to begin
by extending to you
and the American people
my country's most sincere sympathies
on this horrific tragedy.
If there is anything
our people can do
in response
to this tremendous act of cowardice,
-rest assured, we will do it.
- I appreciate that.
You can begin by removing your
destroyers from the Strait of Hormuz.
Mr. President, excuse me, but I
believe you have been misinformed.
- Is that a fact?
- Yes. We have moved
no such destroyers
into the Strait of Hormuz.
My defense department
has war-gamed this out.
They're waiting for me
to give them the green light,
which, I assure you, I will do,
unless you pull
your destroyers back to Bandar Abbas
within the next three hours.
Mr. President, I would...
Mr. Ambassador,
you may not know much about me,
but what you should know is that
I'm about as straight a shooter
as you're gonna find
in Washington.
So you should believe me
when I tell you that I do not want,
as my first act
as Commander in Chief,
to attack Iran.
But as both of us know,
it's not always up to us
how history plays itself out.
Now, I have chosen to believe
that your country is not playing
on our emotions tonight
but nevertheless, you will feel
the full impact of them
if you do not comply
with my demands.
Mr. Ambassador,
dock your destroyers...
or the lead story
on the morning news
will not be about the attack
on our capital...
but the devastating attack
on yours.
Please, Mr. Ambassador,
let's not get off
on the wrong foot here tonight.
Mr. President,
I will speak with my government.
Thank you, Mr. Ambassador.
Mr. Ambassador, this way.
Mr. Ambassador.
Three hours.
(SIGHS)
(SIREN WAILS)
Haven't seen
one of those before.
It's a Soviet-era
anti-tank mine.
There are still thousands
of them in Afghanistan.
Jihadist terror groups
have been using them
for years as their primary lEDs.
Hannah, you hearing this?
Agent Wells, the bomb is...
Is an unexploded munition you think
was used by a Mideast terror group.
Either ISIS, AI-Qaeda,
or the Taliban
to blow up our Capitol.
Yes, I heard you.
- And that's one theory.
- You got another one?
All right. In the weeks
leading up to the big ones.
9/11, Paris, Belgium.
The chatter we were getting
was off the charts.
Something was coming, you know?
We just didn't know what it was.
Do you know what I'm hearing now?
Nothing.
No breaks in any of the routines
of the mosques or camps we're inside,
no one is relocating
their wives or children
in anticipation
of our counterattacks.
It's business as usual.
That makes no sense.
So, you're saying the bomb
isn't one of theirs.
I'm saying that if they did this,
they'd be crowing right now.
There is a reason
the people who did this
-are keeping silent about it.
- That is?
You don't take credit for something
until you're done, right?
So, what if they're
just getting started?
I don't remember this suit.
I had to borrow it.
You look the part.
I know this is gonna change
everything for us,
but I have to do it.
If I don't...
I just have to.
You still on my side?
I'm always on your side...
Mr. President.
Something needs to be done,
Aaron.
I think we're doing everything
that's expected of us, Harris.
That's not what I'm talking
about.
What exactly are you talking
about here?
Because if it's what I think
it is,
this conversation's going to be
treading dangerously close
to conspiracy to commit treason.
We have a Housing
and Urban Development Secretary
running the free world.
You call it treason.
I call it my civic responsibility.
You're talking about removing
a sitting president.
An unelected president, yes.
Listen to me.
If the country's gonna survive,
we need to act swiftly
and definitively.
Tom Kirkman will not get us
through this.
And let me guess, you can?
We're in a state of war.
Who would you rather have
leading us?
SETH: Mr. President.
Your glasses.
They're not very presidential, sir.
- Right.
- Thank you.
Mr. President, you're live
in five, four, three...
My fellow Americans...
times when we make history...
and there are times
when history makes us.
This is a crucial moment
for our nation,
and America's colors burn brightest
when we meet challenges head on.
For far too long...
the wealthiest one percent
have seen their fortunes only grow...
while the rest of the nation
lies in worry.
That needs to change.
The question is,
how do we pay for it?
PRESIDENT RICHMOND: But the
question is, how do we pay for it?
ALEX: It's not even
in the vicinity of what we agreed on.
No! This is not a quid pro quo.
This is,
"You do what I say when I say it
"or you suffer
the consequences."
It's beyond bedti...
Penny, you need to go to sleep,
right now.
Let me talk to her.
No, you can't talk to Dad.
Let me talk to her. Come on.
PRESIDENT RICHMOND:
And not just here at home...
- Hello?
- PENNY: Hi, Daddy.
- Who is this?
- It's Penny.
- TOM: Penny who?
- Penny Kirkman, your daughter.
No, that's not possible.
My daughter's asleep and I know that
because I kissed her good night
almost two hours ago.
When are you and Mommy
coming home?
TOM: It doesn't matter.
You're gonna be asleep by then,
right? Right?
She can't keep pulling this!
I've got an idea.
What if you go to bed right now
and I let you stay up
an extra hour tomorrow night
so we can hang out?
- Sound like a deal?
- Deal.
That's my girl. Give me a kiss.
- Good night, daddy.
- Good night, little pea.
- See? All good.
- Not all good.
- What do you mean, "not all good"?
- Tom, you can't do that!
You can't make promises
that you won't be able to keep.
We're in Washington.
They're the only promises
we're allowed to make.
You know, you need to learn
how to set some limits with her.
Because if not,
she is gonna walk all over you.
I know. You're right.
...values that we hold dear,
that represent who we are...
Here come the greatest hits.
...to ensure you that
the same American dream
shared by our fathers, our mothers,
and their fathers, and...
That's weird.
- ALEX: What is it?
- It won't come back on.
- See if you can get it to work.
- Okay.
Yeah.
No, I know.
Ours just went black, too.
TOm!
- Oh, my God!
- I'll get back to you.
Mr. Secretary,
you need to put the phone down.
- Mike, what is going on?
- I said put the phone down!
We've lost contact
with the Capitol.
We're sheltering in place
until we know more.
I need your government-issued
BlackBerry.
ALEX: What?
AGENT: Do you have
any other devices on you?
- Please, check your bag, ma'am!
- But I... I need...
MALE REPORTER:
We are getting reports
of some kind of explosion
in or around the Capitol building.
FEMALE REPORTER:
We are still...
Mr. Secretary,
get away from the window, now!
ALEX: Oh, my God!
TOM: I thought you said
you were gonna get some sleep.
I'm okay.
National Sleep Foundation
recommends seven hours
to function
as a normal human being.
A working mother
only needs four.
Correction. Only gets four.
Hey.
No. No.
- I'm not doing anything.
- Tom, I have...
- No. Stop it. I have work to do.
- So do I and it's a two-person job.
Come on. You've always said
you're always on my side.
Yes. That's all I want.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
- PENNY: Mom!
- No, no, no. Go away!
PENNY: Dad! Get out here!
I'm hungry! I want some breakfast!
Leave us alone!
You are not loved!
(LAUGHS)
PENNY: Please!
- No.
- Are you kidding?
Okay. You're gonna get
what you deserve.
- I'm making breakfast.
- No. No, no, no.
- Pancakes for everyone!
- Please, no!
- Let me go, woman!
- Oh, God.
Okay, little pea.
How do you like your eggs?
- Scrambled or scrambled?
- Scrambled, please.
Excellent.
Scrambled eggs coming up
for the beautiful girl
sitting at the counter.
And there we go!
- Thank you!
- You're welcome!
Leo. Perfect timing.
What do you want?
- He's making breakfast?
- Unfortunately.
- Hey, I'm slaving over here.
- I'll just get some toast.
Toast, toast.
That's made with bread, right?
Come on.
You used to always laugh at my jokes.
- I used to be nine.
- The good ole' days.
I need you to watch
your sister tonight, okay?
- No. I can't do it. I'm busy.
- I know. Watching your sister.
Come on. It's a big night for me.
I've got the State of the Union.
It is for me, too. I told Caleb
I'd help him outwith something.
- With what?
- It doesn't matter.
It doesn't matter
because I won't like it
or doesn't matter
because I won't understand?
- Both.
- Okay, now I really wanna know.
He's laying down
a new dubstep track
and I need to write a program
for him.
I understood "him."
On a scale of one to ten,
how much do I embarrass you?
- Eleven.
- Excellent.
Hey, you finish
your English paper yet?
- LEO: In theory.
- Finish it.
You can take them, right?
I have to be at court by nine.
Yeah, I got them.
- Bye, peanut.
- Bye, Mommy.
Make us proud.
REPORTER". ...immigration reform,
but the sad truth of the matter
is that Richmond can promise
all he wants tonight.
This Congress isn't gonna lift
a finger to help him.
Well, this can't be good if it won't
even wait until I get to the office.
How about the end of days?
I spoke to Gillings
at Cabinet Affairs.
He slipped me a final copy
of Richmond's address and none,
not a single one
of our talking points are included.
You're kidding me.
Not even housing reform?
All of it,
everything you and I have
worked our asses off
on for months, gone.
Okay. Just get me a meeting
with Langdon as soon as possible.
Already done. We're going there now.
It's time to war up.
Easy, Hannibal.
We should also talk
about leaking your plan to Politico
-if this doesn't work.
- No, that'll backfire.
Maybe, but it'll be out there!
Tonight is about what's in the State
of the Union, not what's not.
We can't just let
the White House
take an eraser
to our entire domestic agenda.
You're the Secretary of Housing
and Urban Development.
It's the president's
domestic agenda, Em.
It's your domestic agenda,
Mr. Secretary!
Okay, and I'll make my argument
for it.
Don't get me wrong.
I'm mad as hell.
At the end of the day, I'm not
the President of the United States.
We should remember that.
All right. Then let's go see
the Chief of Staff.
- Thank you very much.
- Thank you, sir.
SETH: We need to tell
the American people how we're doing,
-we need to get specific.
- LANGDON: Could one of you
find me something heavy
to hit Mr. Wright with? Thank you.
I'm telling you. We need to take
a look at the AB-33 section, okay?
It's muddled. I wrote it,
and I don't even know what it says.
That is the mark of a successful
political speech.
Well done. Now, go forth.
- Mr. Secretary, welcome. Please.
- Charlie.
I'm sure you remember Aaron Shore,
my Deputy Chief of Staff.
- Aaron, good to see you.
- Mr. Secretary.
LANGDON: I'm gonna hazard a guess
and say you're not here
to discuss which color tie
the president is wearing tonight.
That is his call.
If he'll put back in
the Secretary's housing initiatives.
These are programs that can help
millions of low-income families.
No one's debating
its value here, Emily.
Charlie,
there's not a single mention
of any of my programs
in the speech tonight?
- Not a one?
- I know. I'm sorry, Mr. Secretary,
that's how it's gonna be.
The speech is locked.
Does the president value
the Secretary's opinion, Charlie?
Because right now,
it's hard to tell.
Em.
Give us a moment.
I'll meet you outside.
(DOOR SHUTS)
What's going on, Charlie?
Well, Tom,
we were gonna wait until after
the State of the Union
to tell you,
but the president's looking
to make a change.
He would like to offer you
an ambassadorship
to the International
Civil Aviation Organization.
Are you serious?
Was the Chairman of the International
House of Pancakes unavailable?
Tom...
Wow.
This is really not how
I saw today going.
The Civil Aviation Committee...
- Organization.
- Organization.
- Is that even a real thing, Charlie?
- Of course it's a thing.
It's in Montreal.
It's under the UN.
Look, it affords you the rank
of ambassador
with all the trimmings
that go along.
Come on, Charlie,
we've done some good work here.
And we've got lots left to do,
I mean...
I have supported this president
above and beyond for his entire term.
Well,
now it's about the second term.
And I serve at the pleasure
of the president.
So do you, Tom.
ALEX: Don't they realize
what a huge asset you are for them?
Langdon actually tried
to pass it off as a promotion.
You can't take this lying down.
- How else do you want me to take it?
- ALEX: Fight!
Look, he appointed you,
but he can't fire you.
- You need to hold your ground.
- What do you want me to do?
Go to war with the President
of the United States?
The White House never respected you.
That's the real problem.
No, Alex.
The real problem is
I didn't play Richmond's game
all the time.
Oh, Tom, come on!
It's called politics!
- And maybe if you did...
- What?
I wouldn't be out of a job?
Maybe, but then I'd be
like one of those guys,
when I got into this, we had a deal.
I wasn't gonna be one of those guys.
- I don't want to be...
- Tom, it's taken three years.
And we finally settled
into Washington.
I love my job.
Penny loves her school.
Even Leo's making friends.
We can't do this to our family.
I know.
You're right.
Come here. Come here.
Hey. I love you.
We'll make this work.
- I'll commute.
- What?
So, you've made up your mind?
You're stepping down?
I told them I'd give them
my decision tomorrow.
- Wow.
- Alex.
(PHONE RINGS)
Great. Yeah?
What's a designated survivor?
Mr. Secretary,
we need to leave, now!
- Tom! Tom!
- Did you see that? Did you see that?
...motorcade to smoke out
any ambush.
AGENT:
White House is secure. Let's go.
(SIRENS BLARING)
Mike, please,
just tell us what you know.
Capitol's been attacked.
There's still no word
on the president or his detail.
This is Ritter.
Oh, God. Don't tell me that.
What is it?
It's confirmed. Eagle is gone.
- Congress, the Cabinet.
- Oh, my God.
None of them made it.
Yes, sir. I'll let him know.
Mr. Secretary, we're enacting
continuity of government.
A DC appellate judge
will meet us at the White House.
Sir, you are now the President
of the United States.
MALE REPORTER:
Incredibly alarming live shot.
The United States
Capitol Building in flames.
An explosion, should I say
an unconfirmed explosion
going off just moments ago
during President Richmond's
State of the Union address.
FEMALE REPORTER: Of course,
we're reaching out
to all of our sources...
Pick up. Come on.
SCOTT: Hi. This is Scott.
I'm not available right now.
Please leave me a message
after the beep.
Hey, it's me.
Call me when you get this.
I need to know you're okay.
MALE REPORTER:
the president is dead...
Hey, Scott?
DOUG: No, it's Doug.
I need you here right away.
Yes, sir. I'm on my way.
(SIREN WAILS)
We got to get our kids here.
We've already sent agents
to bring them here.
(CRYING)
REPORTER: We are still looking
to get all the information...
Sir, please.
Sir, please.
Ma'am, please hold the Bible.
Just hold the Bible. Thank you.
Sir, place your left hand
on the Bible and repeat after me.
I, Thomas Adam Kirkman,
do solemnly swear...
I, Thomas Adam Kirkman,
do solemnly swear...
...that I will faithfully
execute the office
of President
of the United States...
...that I will faithfully
execute the office
of President
of the United States...
...and will,
to the best of my ability...
...and will,
to the best of my ability...
...preserve, protect and defend
the Constitution
of the United States.
...preserve, protect, and defend
the Constitution
of the United States...
so help me God.
Mr. President. Ma'am.
Mr. President, you're gonna have
to come with me now.
Mrs. Kirkman, the Secret Service
will take you to the residence now.
- AGENT: Ma'am, please come with me.
- Mr. President.
- Right now.
- Please.
Aaron, where are we going?
AARON: The Presidential
Emergency Operations Center.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
COCHRANE: ...every team
we have worldwide.
I want every drone waiting
on full staff
and deployable as soon
as they get the order.
- Excuse me.
- Can you do that?
- Well, get it done.
- Excuse me.
Hey, hey! Hey!
I need you all to be quiet
right now!
Please.
Let's take a moment
for our fallen friends...
heroes one and all.
Thank you.
Maybe we should
go around the table.
Where's the CIA director?
We're still working to set up
a secure comm.
The hell with secure comms.
We have to get him patched in now.
Cellphone, Iandline, Skype,
whatever we got.
Who's got the networks?
Okay, you tell them
we'll be live in 6O minutes
from the East Room, okay?
Nobody talks to any press
of any office or agency
under threat of me ripping
your insides out!
Do we know who's responsible
for this?
Still too early to determine.
We gotta give 'em something,
Karen.
The whole world
is watching us right now.
Exactly! We need to alert
every one of our embassies
to convey to each host nation
that the US is on a war footing
and now is not the time to test us!
Patch me into 24-hour watch
at the Pentagon.
Inform the surviving joint chiefs
we are going to DEFCON 2.
MALE VOICE:
You can't make that call.
HARRIS: The Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs is gone.
FEMALE VOICE: That doesn't give you
any authority, Harris.
HARRIS: We're under attack!
What more authority do you want?
PETER: Who do you think you are?
HARRIS: I want the Air Force
flying in 15 minutes.
PETER: Who are you
to give me orders?
HARRIS: Who are you
to question them, Peter?
I'm not gonna sit on my hands
and hope for the best here!
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(RETCHES)
SETH: Just let it all out, man.
We're all feeling the same way
tonight.
Sorry. I thought I was alone.
Yeah, well...
nothing is what it seems anymore.
You know, an hour ago,
I was throwing back tequila,
celebrating the three lines
I got into a 10,000-word speech.
Swear to God, I don't know
how the hell
we're gonna get through this.
- Same way we always do.
- SETH: Yeah, right.
Do you even know
who's in charge right now?
I'm asking, because I can't even
remember his name.
Kirkman. Tom Kirkman.
Oh, yeah, yeah. Kirkland.
That's right.
The lowest rung on the ladder.
Did you know President Richmond
fired him this morning?
Now he's the president.
He's the one the country's gonna be
turning to in our darkest hour.
Well, maybe he'll surprise you.
Yeah, you mean
maybe he'll... realize
he has no business
running the country?
That he should just...
step aside,
maybe let one of the generals
takeover or the CIA director,
somebody who actually knows
what the hell they're doing?
Fat chance of that happening.
Nobody around here
ever gives up power.
Kirkland's a follower.
We need a leader.
I'm telling you, man, I got
half a mind to make a run to Canada.
You know what I'm saying?
Canada.
Mr. President.
Do you really believe
everything you just said?
Mr. President, let me explain.
- What's your name?
- Seth Wright.
Seth Wright.
You're a speechwriter.
I saw you coming out of Charlie's
office earlier this morning.
You were arguing
about the president's address.
The AB-33 section.
Housing reform.
You really think
I should step down?
I do.
You may be right.
But for now, I'm all you got
and you have...
exactly 52 minutes to write a speech
convincing the American people
that that's a good thing.
(DOOR OPENS)
- ALEX: Penny!
- Mommy!
(HELICOPTER CHOPPING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
ATWOOD: All right, listen up.
No one comes in or out without tin.
I want a secure perimeter,
at least five blocks out.
I want TSA screening equipment
installed now.
- Got it?
- ALL: Yes, sir.
All right, back to work.
You'll also want to send up
thermo UAVs and air sniffers
to look for anything biological
or radiological in the area.
Hannah, you were supposed
to report to HQ.
I was ten blocks away.
- Any survivors?
- No, not yet.
EMS is digging
through the rubble.
- Make sure that Hazmat knows...
- Agent Wells, you're SIOC, okay,
you're not a field agent.
I need you heading up a crisis team
at the operations center.
You don't need me behind a computer.
You need me here.
- I worked both bomb sites...
- Hannah...
...on the ground in Brussels
and Paris.
I know what to look for.
Jason,
please, I need to be here.
- Nolan. Lawrence.
- NOLAN: Yes, Deputy Director?
You're with Wells.
- Anyone claiming responsibility?
- No, not yet.
Alright, Eric,
I want the license plates
of every car parked
in the next three blocks scanned.
If any of them are stolen
or owned by anyone on a watch list,
you tear that car apart.
Mark, bomb disposal techs, CSI,
we catalog what we find
and where we found it. Let's move.
(SIRENS WAILING)
(INDISTINCT YELLING)
REPORTER: Thomas Adam Kirkman
was born December 29th, 1967
in Port Washington, New York.
Before being appointed
Secretary of Housing
and Urban Development,
Kirkman worked in academia
as an educator...
This is insane.
Guy's never been elected to anything.
He ran HUD.
They find affordable homes for people,
which makes Kirkman a glorified
real-estate agent!
He was next in the line
of succession.
I'm sorry, but no one
could have foreseen this.
Why the hell do you think
there's a designated survivor, Nikki?
Because this was foreseen.
Now shut up and let me work.
(HELICOPTER CHOPPING)
.l-ley-
.l-ley-
- What are you doing out here?
- I just needed a minute.
- How's Penny?
- Oh, God. Scared. Confused.
You know, I mean,
just like everyone, I guess.
Is this even happening?
What the hell
am I doing here, Alex?
I'm not the guy for this.
You wanna quit?
I know it's not the right thing
to say...
-but I can't help but feel...
- Like running for our lives.
- Yeah.
- Tom, maybe we should.
Look what happened tonight.
How many people...
We haven't even processed.
And our kids?
Are we putting them in danger?
I mean...
We're a target now. Are they?
I don't know...
- MIKE: Mr. President.
- Yeah?
You said Leo
was at a friend's house tonight.
Yeah, Caleb West.
I spoke to our agents
at his residence
and Leo wasn't there.
He never was.
- What?
- Where is he?
We don't know.
They're gonna find Leo.
Mike knows him.
Secret Service, they're the best
in the world at this.
I know.
- Mr. President. This way, please.
- Please, give me a sec.
I got this.
After you.
This is Major Cameron.
Mr. President,
this is the nuclear football.
It'll be with you
whenever you leave the White House.
These are the launch codes,
verification codes,
a listing
of every classified location
capable of launching
nuclear weapons.
In the event
of an imminent strike,
you can green-light it
using this phone.
It works anywhere on Earth
as well as beneath it.
Do you need my fingerprints
or an eye scan or something?
No, sir. It's not like the movies.
It doesn't work that way.
Of course.
GENERAL: Mr. President,
the UN is in emergency session.
I have a three-page phone list
with every one of our enemies
calling to deny responsibility
for the attack.
HARRIS: All US military bases
are on full alert,
and the USS Eisenhower
is currently hard charging
towards the Fifth Fleet
stationed in the Persian Gulf.
I understand alerting our bases,
but...
why are we "hard charging"
a US aircraft carrier anywhere?
Mr. President,
in the event of an attack...
An attack from who?
You just said all our enemies
are denying responsibility.
Because all warfare
is based on deception
and there are still plenty
we haven't heard from.
I just don't feel comfortable
showing that kind of force yet.
With all due respect, sir,
would you mind telling us
when you do plan
on being comfortable?
You'll be the first to know, General.
Excuse me.
(CLUB MUSIC PLAYING)
Pleasure doing business
with you.
So, how many more bags you got?
- I just sold my last two.
- Still got three left.
Save them.
We got to bounce anyway.
Screw that!
I came here to make money
and have some fun.
(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
- Leo!
- Get off me, man!
Mike? What are you doing here?
(SIRENS WAILING)
- How'd you find me?
- It wasn't easy.
We had to open up an ops center
at NSA...
run the phone records
of all your friends
and classmates through PRISM
until we could piece together
enough chatter keywords
to trace your digital footprint
to the club.
- Really?
- No, Leo.
We pinged your phone.
You're not exactly
a criminal mastermind.
I thought
you were taking me home.
I am.
REPORTER 1: Everyone
is at a complete loss for words.
This is the most devastating attack
on our country since 9/11.
REPORTER 2: And staffers
at the White House
are asking the same question
as the rest of the country.
Who's behind this
horrific act of terror?
Look, can you please
just check again?
My name is Emily Rhodes.
I am Secretary Kirkman's
Chief of Staff.
He was the designated survivor
tonight.
Look, I told you
you're not on the cleared list.
I was just in there
this morning!
Well, a lot's happened since then,
in case you haven't noticed.
Step back from the gate.
REPORTER 3: Intelligence sources
are being tight-lipped
about what has happened
at the Capitol today,
but as of yet,
no one has claimed responsibility
and our nation remains
on high alert.
Thank you for your prayers,
Madam Prime Minister.
You, too. Goodbye.
- Right, where were we?
- The presidential voice.
Which, apparently, I don't have.
You can defend my honor
at any time.
I will when he says something
I disagree with.
Okay, so, what do you think
the presidential voice is?
"All of us here know
there is work to be done.
"We have a responsibility
to light the way for every American."
Sounds good to me.
I imagine it would.
You said it two years ago
in Atlanta at the Conference
for the New Urbanism.
Sir... tonight,
you're speaking to the world.
America doesn't need
another friend right now.
You can't be relaxed or disarming.
That's gonna work anymore.
Mr. President,
you need to be stronger
than you've ever been before.
We all need that right now.
What is it, Tom?
I've gotta go.
Just sit down.
(DOOR SHUTS)
It's okay. We're all feeling it.
- Thank you, ma'am.
- Alex, please.
No, ma'am.
You're the First Lady.
- Hey.
- No, no. Please, sit down.
Sat imagery shows
ten Iranian Navy destroyers
leaving Bandar Abbas port
and taking up positions
along the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz
is where 3O percent
-of the world's oil passes through.
- I know what it is, Aaron.
Mr. President,
this is a purposeful provocation
by the Iranians to take advantage
of the night's events,
and choke off the Western world's
main supply of oil.
Just as we're on our knees,
they're gonna step on our throat.
Aaron.
- I finally got past the gate...
- I can't talk right now, Emily.
Need to get to the PEOC.
- Tom gonna be in there?
- It is his meeting.
Well, then I'm coming with you.
Sorry, Emily, but in there,
it's code-word clearance only.
I've been with Secretary Kirkman's
staff for three years!
It's President Kirkman now,
and you're not authorized.
If you are choosing this moment
for a pissing contest, Aaron...
That's my point, Emily!
This is no contest.
Now, if you'll excuse me...
President Kirkman needs people
he knows by his side!
You and I have our differences.
I know.
And you don't want me in there.
But you also know
better than anyone else
why it is important
that I am there for him right now.
How many more ways
can I say this?
In the morning, our economy
is going to go over a cliff,
and the Iranians
are just seizing the moment!
What do you want me to do,
General? Declare war?
Why not? Forty minutes ago,
they showed me the nuclear football.
I guess I've had it long enough
to try it out.
We've just been attacked.
The world thinks it can test us
right now,
and a full, swift show of force
is the only way to remind them
that our flag
is still flying strong tonight!
And all I'm saying is there are
different ways to show force.
What you need to understand
is the Iranians respect
only one course of action,
and that is action.
This isn't some consumer group
waiting for a photo op
with a figurehead!
(CHUCKLES)
Figurehead.
Well, General,
this figurehead paid attention
during the Cabinet meetings,
where we dealt with this very issue.
And the Iranians have tried
to close off the Strait of Hormuz
for the last 35 years,
so I am having
a difficult time believing...
that they just up and decided
to do that tonight.
And how can you be
so certain of that?
(SIGHS)
When is the Iranian ambassador
due to arrive?
Fifteen minutes.
Okay, General.
You can scramble your bombers,
but they are not to engage.
We are going to do this my way.
If it doesn't work, we'll try yours.
I know you're scared, peanut,
but everything's gonna be okay.
But why are we here?
Because this is...
this is gonna be our new home.
But why?
Because some bad people...
did something bad tonight
and it's Dad's job
to make sure we're all safe.
- Are you scared?
- Yeah.
- Is Daddy?
- Are you kidding?
Dad's not scared of anything.
(SIREN WAILING)
SCOTT: Hi. This is Scott.
I'm not available right now.
Please leave me a message
after the beep.
It's me again.
Where are you?
Please call me back
and tell me you're okay.
I love you.
Agent Wells.
I was looking for you.
- Are you okay?
- Yeah.
Did you lose someone?
I think we all lost someone.
What do you got?
I checked all the license plates
in the area
against every watch list.
Nothing so far.
All right,
get in touch with the NSA.
Make sure that they know...
MALE VOICE: We got something
over here!
- What do we got?
- UXO! We got a UXO!
Clear the perimeter!
ATWOOD: All right.
Clear the area!
We've got a bomb! Back up now!
Clear the area now!
(BARKS AND WHINES)
(HELICOPTER CHOPPING)
ATWOOD: Perimeter is secure.
You may proceed.
Copy that.
All clear. Open it up.
BOMB TECH". Okay. Removing
the outer case.
Hemostat.
- What do you see?
- Wires to the fuse compartment...
to the creep spring...
to the detonator.
But no pressure plate.
Easy.
It's clear. Bomb's a dud.
- Is he here?
- Yes, he's waiting just outside.
Send him in.
AARON: Mr. Ambassador.
- Mr. Ambassador.
- Mr. President.
- Please.
- Thank you.
Please, allow me to begin
by extending to you
and the American people
my country's most sincere sympathies
on this horrific tragedy.
If there is anything
our people can do
in response
to this tremendous act of cowardice,
-rest assured, we will do it.
- I appreciate that.
You can begin by removing your
destroyers from the Strait of Hormuz.
Mr. President, excuse me, but I
believe you have been misinformed.
- Is that a fact?
- Yes. We have moved
no such destroyers
into the Strait of Hormuz.
My defense department
has war-gamed this out.
They're waiting for me
to give them the green light,
which, I assure you, I will do,
unless you pull
your destroyers back to Bandar Abbas
within the next three hours.
Mr. President, I would...
Mr. Ambassador,
you may not know much about me,
but what you should know is that
I'm about as straight a shooter
as you're gonna find
in Washington.
So you should believe me
when I tell you that I do not want,
as my first act
as Commander in Chief,
to attack Iran.
But as both of us know,
it's not always up to us
how history plays itself out.
Now, I have chosen to believe
that your country is not playing
on our emotions tonight
but nevertheless, you will feel
the full impact of them
if you do not comply
with my demands.
Mr. Ambassador,
dock your destroyers...
or the lead story
on the morning news
will not be about the attack
on our capital...
but the devastating attack
on yours.
Please, Mr. Ambassador,
let's not get off
on the wrong foot here tonight.
Mr. President,
I will speak with my government.
Thank you, Mr. Ambassador.
Mr. Ambassador, this way.
Mr. Ambassador.
Three hours.
(SIGHS)
(SIREN WAILS)
Haven't seen
one of those before.
It's a Soviet-era
anti-tank mine.
There are still thousands
of them in Afghanistan.
Jihadist terror groups
have been using them
for years as their primary lEDs.
Hannah, you hearing this?
Agent Wells, the bomb is...
Is an unexploded munition you think
was used by a Mideast terror group.
Either ISIS, AI-Qaeda,
or the Taliban
to blow up our Capitol.
Yes, I heard you.
- And that's one theory.
- You got another one?
All right. In the weeks
leading up to the big ones.
9/11, Paris, Belgium.
The chatter we were getting
was off the charts.
Something was coming, you know?
We just didn't know what it was.
Do you know what I'm hearing now?
Nothing.
No breaks in any of the routines
of the mosques or camps we're inside,
no one is relocating
their wives or children
in anticipation
of our counterattacks.
It's business as usual.
That makes no sense.
So, you're saying the bomb
isn't one of theirs.
I'm saying that if they did this,
they'd be crowing right now.
There is a reason
the people who did this
-are keeping silent about it.
- That is?
You don't take credit for something
until you're done, right?
So, what if they're
just getting started?
I don't remember this suit.
I had to borrow it.
You look the part.
I know this is gonna change
everything for us,
but I have to do it.
If I don't...
I just have to.
You still on my side?
I'm always on your side...
Mr. President.
Something needs to be done,
Aaron.
I think we're doing everything
that's expected of us, Harris.
That's not what I'm talking
about.
What exactly are you talking
about here?
Because if it's what I think
it is,
this conversation's going to be
treading dangerously close
to conspiracy to commit treason.
We have a Housing
and Urban Development Secretary
running the free world.
You call it treason.
I call it my civic responsibility.
You're talking about removing
a sitting president.
An unelected president, yes.
Listen to me.
If the country's gonna survive,
we need to act swiftly
and definitively.
Tom Kirkman will not get us
through this.
And let me guess, you can?
We're in a state of war.
Who would you rather have
leading us?
SETH: Mr. President.
Your glasses.
They're not very presidential, sir.
- Right.
- Thank you.
Mr. President, you're live
in five, four, three...
My fellow Americans...