Designated Survivor (2016–2019): Season 1, Episode 3 - The Confession - full transcript
Tom juggles dealing with a security breach and preparing for his first television interview as the FBI continues to investigate the Capitol bombing.
My name is Tom Kirkman.
Last night, I was sworn in as
President of the United States.
Previously on "Designated Survivor"...
Yesterday, I was asked to resign.
Now I'm trying to put
the entire U.S.
government back together.
This is Congresswoman
Kimble Hookstraten.
Last night's other designated survivor.
We know who blew up the Capitol.
Atwood: I gave the
President the most relevant intel.
Or you gave him what
the group who did this
wanted you to give him.
You need to convince your new boss
that Al-Sakar is behind the bombing.
Until he's certain, he
will not name anyone.
Man: We found one!
We got a survivor over here!
- Hey, he's alive!
- Come on.
Can you move your arms or legs?
You'll be all right. Hang
on. We're getting to you.
Man: Everybody, back up!
All right, we got to get
him out. Got that side.
[Voices echoing]
♪ ♪
Give him room. Give him room!
Okay, let's get him on the stretcher.
Ready? One, two, three, lift.
- [Siren wails in distance]
- Got him?
Okay, careful. Watch his head.
- Watch out.
- All right, set him down here.
- Set him down here, guys.
- Careful.
All right, let's put him
down. All right, slowly, slowly.
[Breathing raggedly]
Reporter: The nation is captivated
by Congressman Peter MacLeish,
found alive in the Capitol ruins,
making him the only survivor thus
far of the unspeakable act
that has claimed more than 1,000 lives,
including the President, Vice President,
and nearly all of Congress.
At 35 years old, MacLeish, a
popular third-term legislator
and decorated war hero,
is one of the nation's
youngest congressmen.
Congressman MacLeish is
under doctor's care at the...
[Sighs] Sorry. Train's still down.
...where he's said to
be in stable condition.
Unbelievable, right? He's
like a human silver lining.
Yeah, it's amazing
somebody could survive that.
Maybe there will be others.
- [Door opens]
- Good morning, everyone.
- Good morning, sir.
- Morning.
Please, sit.
[TV shuts off]
Thank you for coming in so early.
We've got a big day, so
let's just get started.
Seth, how's it coming with the eulogy
for President Richmond's funeral?
Good, sir. You'll have a draft soon.
I understand this is a private ceremony,
but it's going to be televised
and the entire
country could use some hope.
I'd like to mention
Congressman MacLeish.
Definitely, sir. I also have President
Richmond's son, Tyler,
coming in to share some memories,
make the speech a little more personal.
Good idea.
Let him know that I'm gonna join.
- I'd like to meet him.
- Yes, sir.
Where we at with Al-Sakar?
Any updates from the Joint Chiefs?
NSC is seeking that
additional proof you asked for,
that they're
responsible for the bombing.
Sir, they're briefing me hourly.
And good news from Michigan...
Governor Royce is behaving.
There's been no new reports
of Muslims being harassed,
- but I'll monitor it.
- Good. What else?
Surviving deputies
of Treasury and the Fed...
They need a meeting.
I'll reach out to them as
soon we're finished here.
And don't forget, you have
the Elizabeth Vargas interview at noon.
We'll go over the talking
points right before.
Aaron, Emily, I want your
list for the Cabinet...
- [Electricity crackling]
- What's happening?
Woman: Oh. Wait!
Man: ...just went dark.
[Beeping]
Hey, this is the White House.
There aren't supposed
to be any blackouts.
Unless, a-and I really hate to say this,
- but what if it's...
- A second attack.
Guys, what the hell's going on?
Looks like a power surge.
Backup generator
should kick on any minute.
- Network's down.
- Yeah, I got nothing.
White House line is dead.
This isn't good.
- [Beeping]
- Ritter: What is that?
On the grid... That's no power surge.
Looks like we've got
a real-time intrusion
into the White House network.
I'm on with Fort Meade.
NSA thinks it's just a sniffer...
Some kid poking
around our electrical grid.
NSA's wrong. This is no sniffer.
Agent Ritter, that's the Oval Office.
Cut the link.
I'm trying. It won't work.
Man: Section 2 is still completely dark.
- What is going on?!
- What's happening?
- My computer's out.
- Yeah, mine's out, too. Sir?
Nothing.
Mr. President, I need you to
step away from your computer.
Mike, what's going on?
The White House has just been hacked.
♪ ♪
EOP Security is calling it a one-time,
malicious cyber intrusion.
Against what's supposed to be
the most secure network on earth?
The public is gonna
consider this another attack.
Yeah, that's why the
public can't find out about this.
There's too much chaos as it
is. This just can't get out.
So, we have no idea
what they were after,
or if our files were compromised.
Not yet, sir. NSA's still completing
their scans of all
the White House computers.
Do we have any idea who
might have done this?
Could be the Russians. Could
be the North Koreans.
Or the people that
bombed the Capitol building.
Yes, sir.
We're following every lead.
Okay, thank you, Mike.
Keep me updated.
Yes, sir.
Look, given what's just happened,
we may want to cancel
the Elizabeth Vargas interview.
Aaron: No, that'll
raise too many questions.
We'll just bring the crew
in through the East Entrance
so they don't get wind of the hack.
I agree. It has to be business
as usual around here.
Yeah, you and I will meet with
Congresswoman Hookstraten
and go over the Cabinet
choices as scheduled.
Okay, good.
Now if I could just appoint the rest of
the government legally without a vote.
That would certainly help
lighten your load.
Yeah, so would
choosing your Chief of Staff.
♪ ♪
[Scoffs]
We're done here.
Thank you.
[Telephones ringing,
indistinct conversations]
Do you think there are others?
36 hours...
You never know, but [sighs]
it's not looking good.
How did MacLeish survive?
Those blasts... They
threw glass half a mile.
There's 4,000 tons of debris out there.
Sometimes things
just defy logic, right...
Common sense, or science.
But those are the same
things that give us hope
when the world is going to hell.
That's why they call him the
"Miracle on the Potomac."
Has anyone talked to him?
No, he's in Bethesda... 24-hour care.
He's also the sole surviving witness
to the murder of 1,000 people.
Don't you think
that we need to get there
and speak to him, see
if he saw anything?
We need all hands on deck right here.
Well, you already have
over 50 agents out there
sifting through ruble
and monitoring chatter.
- We don't need...
- [Sighs]
I'm just saying that we need to
get a statement sooner or later.
Don't make a mess I have to clean up.
Ritter: So, the President's computer
is the only one that's been compromised?
Yeah. Just can't tell if
there have been any data spills.
Usually, a frequency analysis
should pinpoint any infected modalities.
- [Beeps]
- That's weird.
What?
A PAL file... Foreign format.
President Kirkman take any
trips overseas lately?
You know, red line's
been running since yesterday.
I'm just saying, if you want
to be Chief of Staff,
you might think about leaving
a little earlier.
Not that it's any of your business,
but my boyfriend asked me
to marry him this morning,
and it's kind of rude to walk out
in the middle of a proposal.
And you've been going out, what?
10 months. Why?
[Chuckles]
It's classic-post-disaster acceleration.
Look, traumatic
events tend to make people
re-evaluate their lives...
You know, babies, marriage, divorce.
It happened after 9/11.
You're lucky, actually.
Actually, I haven't decided yet.
I get it. You want me to say yes
so that I'll be distracted and
you'll get Chief of Staff.
- Wow, Aaron. Impressive.
- [Chuckles]
What are you talking about?
Hey, love in Washington
doesn't happen every day, Emily.
You're lucky, actually.
Ma'am.
Congresswoman Hookstraten,
sorry to keep you waiting.
So, why don't we get started, ma'am?
We put together a list of
potential Cabinet choices.
Since you're effectively Congress...
These will probably be
the fastest confirmations in history.
A question.
Did President Kirkman get a
Best Buy gift card for Christmas,
or is the White House having
some sort of security issue?
What do you mean?
I saw the I.T. staff
removing every
computer from the West Wing.
It's just some technical
issues. It's not a problem.
[Door opens]
Ms. Rhodes, Mr. Shore, could
you come with me, please?
- What? Now?
- Yes, sir.
It's important.
Congresswoman,
will you excuse us, please?
Perhaps it's about that
problem you're not having.
- You wanted to see us?
- Yes.
The NSA and Homeland Security
just finished their
analysis on the hack.
All of our data, files,
codes... Everything's intact.
What, so you're saying they
didn't take anything?
No. They left something behind.
[Speaking Arabic]
Interpreter: I am Majid Nassar.
At your Capitol building,
my Al-Sakar Martyrs Brigade
annihilated your government,
so you, too, can experience
the same terror and death that
you have visited upon our lands.
Righteousness is our
guide, and we are many.
God is great. God is
great. God is great.
Mr. President, you asked for more proof.
There it is.
We have our enemy.
♪ ♪
And we are absolutely certain
this is Majid Nassar?
Yes, sir. NCTC confirms
dialect is a match.
Facial analysts, behavioral
psychologists,
leadership profilers... They all concur.
What is it, sir?
[Exhales sharply]
Al Jazeera was always good
enough for Bin Laden
to release information statements.
Why would Nassar go to all the trouble
to hack the most
secure network in the world
just to deliver this video to me?
It... It doesn't feel right.
I believe he did it,
sir, to show us he can.
He's taunting us.
Mr. President, I do think
it's important to take note
that Al-Sakar has
taken credit for attacks
committed by others in the past...
The Moroccan nightclub bombing, 2013.
I remember. They claimed
responsibility for the bombing,
but eventually Israeli
Intelligence proved
that it was Al-Shabaab.
Okay, any other reasons
to believe that Al-Sakar
was not behind the attack?
Anyone, please?
Come on. Anybody?
[Clears throat] Mr. President,
Jason Atwood, Deputy Director, FBI.
We met at the Capitol site.
You have another theory?
Not me... One of my agents.
She believes that the
evidence was manipulated
to point toward Al-Sakar
so we wouldn't
consider any other suspects.
What evidence?
The unexploded ordinance.
She thinks that it was not a mistake,
and it was left there
on purpose to be found.
And you believe this?
I'm not sure, but I do believe in her.
Sir, what are your orders?
Until we can confirm that
Nassar actually did what he says,
no one outside these walls
sees that video, understood?
In the meantime, track
the son of a bitch down.
Whatever cave, cavern,
or hole he's hiding in,
I want you want you to
find me Majid Nassar.
♪ ♪
Interpreter: ...and we are many.
God is great. God is great. God is great.
Thank you for showing this to me, sir.
I knew you had questions earlier
about what was
happening in the West Wing,
and since you represent Congress,
I think it's important to bring you in
on everything that
involves national security.
Thank you.
I hope you understand that
we cannot show this
to the public yet, not
until we can prove
that every statement
in the video is true.
Otherwise, we run the risk
of a national call to arms.
Would that be such a terrible thing?
I mean, with all due respect, sir,
we need an enemy and soon.
It's the only thing that
will pull us all together
after this terrible attack.
Kimble, we need the right enemy.
We need to be absolutely
certain who did this before we strike.
And personally, I...
I have a difficult time accepting that
the only way to bring the country
together is through war.
You have a lot of difficult
decisions ahead of you, sir.
Speaking for Congress,
I want to assure you
that you have my complete support
no matter what you decide.
Thank you.
And I would never want your job.
[Chuckling] Well, that makes two of us.
Good luck with Elizabeth
Vargas, not that you need it.
You're a natural, sir.
[Door opens]
Congressman MacLeish, Special
Agent Hannah Wells, FBI.
FBI.
How are you?
Alive, so... lucky... mostly.
This may be too soon, but, um...
I came here because I was
wondering if you could tell me
anything about that night,
anything you can remember,
something that looked out
of place or didn't add up.
I have no idea.
I was sitting in my seat, watching
the President speak,
and then... everything went black.
I lost...
friends, colleagues...
All of them.
The only thing that doesn't add up is...
why me?
Why'd I survive?
Whatever you find out,
please, you let me know.
[Telephone rings in
distance, indistinct talking]
Tyler?
I'm sorry we're late.
Tom Kirkman.
The President. I know.
Words could never describe
how sorry I am for your incredible loss.
Hi, I'm Seth Wright.
I was a junior speech
writer under your father.
- I'm sorry about your parents.
- Thank you.
Seth is working on my eulogy
for your father's service later today.
We were hoping you might
have something personal to share.
Uh... yeah.
Um, my dad was...
He was a great man...
I had tremendous respect for him.
...as a president, but,
um, you know, to me,
he was just... Dad.
I mean, he had the
hardest job in the world,
you know, um, things coming
at him from everyone
and everywhere, but...
[Inhales sharply]
...you know, still, he
was always there for me.
Um, and now...
I have some very big shoes to fill.
Yeah, we both do.
[Grunts]
Why are we unpacking Leo's stuff?
Well, because this is our new home
and I want it to feel like home.
And Leo will never do it. [Giggles]
[Cellphone rings]
Hey, it's me. I got to make this quick.
I've got my interview waiting.
About dinner tonight...
How about the four of
us, family dinner, 6:30?
Yeah. But where's this coming from?
I need to have a reason to
want to have dinner with my family?
Okay, I'll see you then.
I love you. Bye.
Mommy, what are these?
Oh, those are just headache
pills, sweetie.
I guess Leo gets a lot of headaches.
Okay, let's go.
So, you'll tape today to air tonight.
This interview is a get.
Every network wanted it,
but we hope Elizabeth
Vargas is a friend of the court.
What if she brings up the blackout?
Aaron: She won't, sir. The
story's been contained.
This is all about the
country getting to know you.
You want to be in
command, but approachable.
Smart, but relatable.
What about sincere?
Yeah, you could... Sincere could work.
You can go with sincere if you want.
I'll go with sincere.
Vargas: It is astonishing that
Congressman MacLeish survived.
It's incredibly encouraging
to have good news
in these heartbreaking times.
And difficult times, certainly, to lead,
given the challenge from
the governor of Michigan,
the near riot in the Capitol.
Well, thankfully,
those crises were averted.
But I have to say, the
American people have
this unique ability to be at their best
when times are at their worst,
and I'm counting on them as
much to get through this
as they're counting on me.
Your previous position in the Cabinet
as Secretary of Housing
and Urban Development...
It's not a natural stepping stone
to go from that position
straight into the Oval Office.
No. No, it's not.
And, to be honest, I have never had
any aspirations for the presidency, ever.
When I came to Washington,
I came to help people.
- Home stretch.
- I have one last question,
and this is something
we have just unearthed.
I wanted to give you a
chance to address it.
We have sources who are telling us,
and I'd like your comment
on this, please...
Where is this going?
Somewhere I don't like.
...that President Richmond
fired you from his Cabinet
on the day of the attack in the Capitol?
Mr. President, were you fired?
And... and if you were, can
you understand why some may say
you have no business being the
President of the United States?
- Mr. President, were you fired?
- Sir, please?
I'm sorry. Can you excuse
me for one second?
- Of course.
- Thank you.
I have no idea how they
got ahold of that information.
Maybe from the hack?
No, NSA said our
files weren't compromised.
Look, this is on the record.
I'm gonna have to answer.
- You have to tell the truth.
- Are you kidding me?
Aaron, it's already out
there. Besides, he wasn't fired.
That's perception. Nobody's
gonna see it that way.
Sir, you admit to this,
you bring down your
presidency before it even begins.
Deny it, and you start your
presidency off with a lie.
I'll take it from here.
[Door opens]
[Sighs]
I'm sorry for the interruption.
Do you mind asking the question again?
Of course.
Mr. President, were you fired
by President Richmond on
the day of the attack?
No, I was offered another assignment,
an ambassadorship,
which I had not accepted yet.
Did you request this transfer?
[Scoffs]
No, I did not.
So, is it safe to say President Richmond
no longer wanted you to
serve in his Cabinet?
That would be correct.
Richmond: ...our mothers
and their fathers
and their...
Show me that front
angle of MacLeish again.
Uh, what are you looking for?
An explanation for why 1,000
people are dead, Chuck.
And their fathers and their...
There. Go back.
To where it cuts out. Freeze.
- Look.
- The time code. So?
The Capitol blew up at 10:08:04, right?
Mm-hmm.
So why did the feed cut out
34 seconds before the Capitol exploded?
Right, Kline's been looking into that.
Working theory is someone tampered with
the on-site control panel...
You know, where the
feed was broadcast from.
But it's hard for him to prove it
because the panel
exploded with the Capitol.
Right. Okay. All right. Rewind. Rewind.
[Video rewinding]
Wait. Freeze.
Zoom in.
Who's the woman with the camera?
I don't know.
Check the seating chart,
and then I want you to
download the contents of her cloud.
I want to see every
photo she took that night.
Maybe she got something during
those missing 34 seconds.
You want me to hack a dead woman's phone
without an Order to Compel?
It'll take too long.
Not gonna make these people any deader.
Chuck, the greatest
act of terrorism since 9/11
was just perpetrated on our soil,
and I need to know what happened.
And if we don't play dirty,
we don't stand a chance.
Do it.
[Sighs]
♪ ♪
It's not there.
MDMA, right?
Mom.
At least that's what the Internet says.
I-It's not what you think. I...
Oh, really? Because I think my
teenage son is dealing drugs.
Possession with intent to distribute,
and that is a felony.
Penny found it.
Do you know what would
have happened to her
if she'd taken even one of those?
What... I mean, she's 8.
It's not like she's stupid.
And what's your excuse?
Ma'am, the motorcade for
President Richmond's funeral
- is waiting.
- Of course.
We are not done.
♪ ♪
[Siren chirps]
You seem distracted. You all right?
Yeah, it's just Leo. I-It can wait.
[Indistinct talking]
Mr. President, here
are the changes we made
to your remarks.
Go ahead. I'll catch up.
I'm sorry, sir. The printers
are still down in the West Wing.
Okay, good.
Is that your eulogy?
Tyler, yeah.
I just made some last-minute changes.
Well, don't bother. You
won't be needing it.
I'm sorry. Excuse me?
I saw a clip of your interview online.
My father fired you,
and I won't let you use his funeral
as some sort of PR stunt to
make you look presidential
when he thought you were anything but.
Tyler, please, you don't under...
You know what? Just save
it for your next interview.
- Ty...
- He can't do that.
You are the president.
No. He lost his father.
We will respect his wishes.
- Come on.
- Let's go.
♪ ♪
Tyler saw the interview.
He doesn't want me to do the eulogy.
My father loved his job.
And more than anything, he
loved the people he worked with.
He was always grateful to
have allies across the aisle,
and I know he'd be pleased
to have one of those friends
here today to say a few words.
What'd he just say?
I... Must be a mistake. No
one else is slated to speak.
This person is someone
my father spoke about
with great admiration and respect,
and someone we are
blessed to have represent us
during such uncertain times...
Congresswoman Kimble Hookstraten.
Hookstraten?
Still think it was a good idea for him
to tell the truth at the interview?
This isn't good.
No.
This is what you get for
being honest in D.C....
Opportunism.
[Sighs]
And when he rose from those
pine thickets of Louisiana
to the heights of power on the Potomac,
my friend Robert Richmond
never imagined that he'd be struck down
by the enemies of liberty.
And I am reminded
now, more than ever before,
that a country of the
people, by the people,
and for the people will
not perish from this earth.
She good. I'll give her that.
She's so political, she
doesn't even seem political.
Hookstraten: May God bless you,
and God bless the
United States of America.
[Applause]
♪ ♪
Ma'am, I just got a call from
Leo's security detail.
Your son had them take
him to 88 Hartford Drive.
- Okay, thanks, Mike.
- Mr. President.
Galvanizing speech, Congresswoman.
Is something wrong, sir?
No, not at all, Kimble.
Republicans, Democrats, Independents...
We're all Americans today.
Isn't that what you said?
Ever since that Elizabeth
Vargas video came out,
social media's been going crazy.
The "Designated Survivor,
or Designated Deceiver?"
"#BogusPOTUS." That one's trending.
Listen to this from
The Washington Post...
"The Congresswoman's
speech was inspiring.
Given that and the fact
that Kirkman was fired,
is it possible the country's being led
by the wrong Designated Survivor?"
Wow. It's smaller than I remember.
I'll be a second, Mike.
[Car door closed]
Hey.
I don't know.
You don't know what?
Why I did it.
I mean, that's why you're here, right,
for... For an explanation?
I mean, I-I-I wanted
attention, or I was acting out...
Well, is that why?
No, no! No.
I told you, I...
- You don't know.
- I don't know.
Look, I know... I know I screwed up,
but sometimes people
just... Just do stuff.
There's not always a reason.
No, I... I think there are reasons.
I think the reason you came home today
is the same reason that your dad and I
want to have a family dinner tonight,
to hold on to who we were
before the Capitol blew up.
Leo...
the White House did
not cause our problems.
We brought them with us.
What about Dad?
Did you tell him?
Not yet.
[Sighs]
He'll be so upset.
Dinner, 6:30, um...
we'll deal with it then.
Here.
[Sighs]
Tyler, it's Tom Kirkman. Please
call me back. Thank you.
Man: ...Congressman MacLeish
to address the media.
Seth: Bad time, sir?
No, come on in.
...earlier today was a serene...
I think Tyler Richmond
is dodging my calls.
[Scoffs] I'm sorry about what happened.
You wrote a beautiful eulogy.
I'm sorry he didn't get to hear it.
Thank you, sir.
There is one thing. [Sighs]
After the funeral,
I ran into a couple of former staffers
who were closer with
the former President.
They told me that Tyler and his father
had a falling out two years ago.
They hadn't spoken to each
other since, not a word.
Wow. [Scoffs]
He didn't make it sound like that.
I guess all any son wants
is to feel like he's
loved by his father.
Maybe it's just
easier to lie to the world
than it is to be honest with yourself.
Yeah.
We have breaking news now
from Washington, D.C.
We've just received a video obtained
from a high-level White House source.
The video shows Majid Nassar,
the leader of the
Algerian-based Al-Sakar...
Someone leaked it.
- Who? Cochrane?
- No, it's not his style.
Wyatt, can you get me
Congresswoman Hookstraten now?
Forgive me, sir, but I
did not leak that video.
I'm wondering why you think I did.
Because you said to my
face that we needed an enemy.
Well, now we've got one,
and we both know you're
not above undermining me.
Still holding my speech against me?
Sorry, it's still a little fresh,
and I can't help but notice a
pattern starting to develop.
Mr. President, I was
honest with you then,
and I'll be honest with you now.
I did not release that video.
But whoever did
was actually doing
you a tremendous favor.
How on earth is that possible?
Just wait.
In an hour or two, the
conversation won't be about
whether you were fired or
if I gave a great speech.
It'll be about the vicious and
ruthless enemy we're facing
and how we should all rally around
our leader, Tom Kirkman.
Even if we can't prove that they're
the group that actually attacked us.
I'm sorry, but that's out
of your hands now, sir.
You might not be ready for it,
but you are now truly
our Commander in Chief.
That'll be all.
Kimble.
Sir?
Earlier, you said that you
didn't want this job.
Was that the truth?
Yes.
For now.
For now?
What about three years?
Well, with the primaries,
more like two and a half.
But who's counting?
Told you I was honest.
[Knock on door]
You wanted to see me?
Did you really think I wouldn't find out
that you asked a data tech to
ignore the Fourth Amendment?
Jason, our government's gone.
It can't be business as usual, can it?
It can't be the Wild West, either.
I've got agents from
every task force working 24/7.
If you break the law,
you jeopardize all the
work they've put in.
You're right.
I know.
Whatever you want to do, I understand.
Have a seat. [Exhales deeply]
The lab updated the
list of confirmed dead.
One of those names is
Senator Scott Wheeler.
♪ ♪
I'm sorry.
You knew?
Come on, I work for the largest
information-gathering organization
in the free world.
What would that say
about me if I didn't?
We met a year ago.
He wasn't happy.
You know the story.
He and his wife were splitting, or...
Or that's what I wanted to believe.
This job is not easy.
We all need someone to care
if we make it home at night.
So forgive yourself for that.
[Inhales sharply] I'm
sorry. I went too far.
No.
You made a bad call.
But from now on,
I want only good ones.
Can you do that?
Yeah.
We're tracking a shift among
major news outlets.
They're now focusing almost
exclusively on Al-Sakar's confession.
Social media's showing the same trend.
Yeah, it seems like we're back online.
Guys, this is what I call a win-win.
Excuse me. I'm sorry to interrupt.
Please, sit.
Aaron, can I see you for a moment?
Yes, sir.
All right, guys. Keep me posted.
Sir, the media's moving in
the right direction now.
Now that video... It
changed the entire narrative.
I know it was you.
Sir?
I know you were the
one who released the video.
Sir, you were on the ropes.
The country was nervous.
The press was circling.
Aaron, please.
Nobody is talking about
the wrong designated survivor anymore.
They're rallying against a common enemy,
and soon they'll unite
behind their Commander in Chief.
I don't know if we've even
got the right target yet.
I'm... I'm not ready to declare war.
All due respect, sir, that's a decision
you can only make
if you remain president,
and it didn't look likely six hours ago.
What you did wasn't
just duplicitous or cynical,
it was directly insubordinate.
Sir, perhaps you've noticed
you're surrounded by people
who would love to see you fail.
I want to help you succeed.
Sir, I want to help you thrive.
What I did was a bold move.
I admit it.
And I believe it was the best one.
If you can't see it that way...
[Portfolio unzips]
...here's my letter of resignation.
You can accept it at any
time if you so choose.
♪ ♪
[Knock on door]
Mr. President, Tyler Richmond.
Thank you.
Why am I here?
Please, have a seat.
I feel I owe you an apology
because I agreed to
have you brought over
to the West Wing earlier today
to tell stories about your father
for the eulogy that I
was supposed to deliver.
It was insensitive, and I am sorry.
But I remembered that I
actually have a story for you.
Oh, like the time my dad fired you?
[Scoffs] No. No.
This was when your father took almost
an hour out of a Cabinet meeting
to tell us all about your spring
recital at Williams last year.
No, I-I-I think... I
think you're mistaken.
Bartók "Violin Concerto
Nomber 2", I think.
Yeah, but my... My father wasn't there.
- He had a Cabinet...
- He was...
in the back of the room.
Okay. I think I would know.
He had one Secret Service detail.
He was wearing a baseball cap.
He didn't want to
take the focus off of you.
No, that's just not...
He went on and on about your craft,
your diligence, your work
ethic, your talent, and...
[Chuckles]
...he was so proud.
It was nice.
And at the end, he
gave everyone a program.
I asked my assistant
Wyatt to go to my old office
and bring it here for me.
He was...
He was there?
Tyler, I think he was always there.
[Sobs quietly]
I'm sorry he couldn't tell you himself.
[Inhales sharply]
Um...
Would you, um... You mind if I...
That would be my honor.
It's why I asked you here.
[Sniffles, clears throat]
Um... thank you...
...Mr. President.
My pleasure.
[Door opens]
[Hannah sobs quietly]
[Cellphone vibrates]
Yeah, Chuck, what is it?
Chuck: Hey, I've been looking at
the feed from the State of the Union.
You've got to get over here.
I'm on my way.
[Cellphone beeps]
[Engine starts]
Emily: You wanted to see me?
Emily, please, have a seat.
[Clears throat]
Telling the truth earlier
today might not have been
the most savvy thing to
do, but it felt right.
It's who I am.
It's the kind of president I need to be.
I feel the same way.
I've been thinking
about my Chief of Staff.
Have you?
And I guess I should
just come right out with it.
I have decided to go with Aaron.
I'm sorry?
I know you have misgivings about Aaron.
Hell, so do I.
But I need someone political,
someone who can think
differently than I do.
I can be that.
Emily, I need you to be you.
Right.
I need you to know that I
cannot do this without you.
You have been by my side since
I began in public service.
It's always been you and me
off to fight the good fight.
But this...
This is beyond anything anyone
could have expected.
And the truth is, I'm scared.
I'm scared I'm going to fail...
Fail our nation at this crucial time.
I would like to appoint
you as my Special Adviser.
It's not a consolation. You
would have full access.
Please.
I would be honored.
But for the record, I'm not
here to smile and nod.
If I disagree with
Aaron, I'm gonna say it.
I would expect nothing less.
Thank you, Mr. President.
[Door closes]
Family dinner.
[Sighs] Damn it.
♪ ♪
[Drawer handle rattles]
- [Chuckles]
- It suits you...
the office.
Congratulations, really.
No hard feelings?
I'm sure I can hunt
down a couple glasses.
I should get home.
Hey, so I get a job, you get a fiancé.
You know, you're
probably the real winner here.
I said no.
Post-disaster acceleration
isn't the right reason to get married.
Hey, I... I didn't mean that.
No, you were right.
At least I won't be late to work again.
I didn't mean that, either.
But, Aaron, just
don't get too comfortable,
because Chiefs of Staff get
replaced all the time.
Night.
[Sighs]
[Door opens]
Hi, Daddy.
Hey. Come here.
[Giggling]
[Chuckles]
Hey.
What are you doing up so late?
Hmm?
We waited up for you.
Hey. Where's Leo?
I said he could stay over at
a friend's house tonight.
Oh. On a school night?
Was that the thing you
didn't want to tell me earlier?
Yeah.
Oh.
Actually, um, I...
I changed my mind.
Hey.
[Giggles]
Family dinner, right?
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Hannah: First you get me in trouble.
Now you want to help me?
Truth is, I never
liked Orders to Compel,
and I think you're kind of badass.
What do you got?
Okay, so I hacked the
woman's cloud, and you were right.
She took two photos between the time
the feed cut and the
time of the explosion.
The missing 34 seconds?
- Yeah.
- Show me.
And Congressman MacLeish in his seat...
- Chuck, I've seen this.
- Wait for it.
This photo was taken six seconds later.
[Beeping]
I can't tell you what
happened that night,
how they did it, why.
But I can tell you MacLeish survived...
Because he wasn't there.
[Exhales deeply]
[Cellphone vibrates]
[Cellphone beeps]
Aaron Shore.
Aaron, it's me.
Mr. President.
You forced my hand
today by releasing that tape.
You put in motion a
timetable that will test
the patience of the American people.
So, your first job as my Chief of Staff
is to make sure Al-Sakar
is found, and fast,
or you may find my
patience being tested.
Are we clear?
Yes, sir.
Good night, Mr. President.
Good night.
[Cellphone beeps]
He's an interesting guy, your boss.
I have what you asked for.
Anything good?
Depends whose side you're on.
♪ ♪
Last night, I was sworn in as
President of the United States.
Previously on "Designated Survivor"...
Yesterday, I was asked to resign.
Now I'm trying to put
the entire U.S.
government back together.
This is Congresswoman
Kimble Hookstraten.
Last night's other designated survivor.
We know who blew up the Capitol.
Atwood: I gave the
President the most relevant intel.
Or you gave him what
the group who did this
wanted you to give him.
You need to convince your new boss
that Al-Sakar is behind the bombing.
Until he's certain, he
will not name anyone.
Man: We found one!
We got a survivor over here!
- Hey, he's alive!
- Come on.
Can you move your arms or legs?
You'll be all right. Hang
on. We're getting to you.
Man: Everybody, back up!
All right, we got to get
him out. Got that side.
[Voices echoing]
♪ ♪
Give him room. Give him room!
Okay, let's get him on the stretcher.
Ready? One, two, three, lift.
- [Siren wails in distance]
- Got him?
Okay, careful. Watch his head.
- Watch out.
- All right, set him down here.
- Set him down here, guys.
- Careful.
All right, let's put him
down. All right, slowly, slowly.
[Breathing raggedly]
Reporter: The nation is captivated
by Congressman Peter MacLeish,
found alive in the Capitol ruins,
making him the only survivor thus
far of the unspeakable act
that has claimed more than 1,000 lives,
including the President, Vice President,
and nearly all of Congress.
At 35 years old, MacLeish, a
popular third-term legislator
and decorated war hero,
is one of the nation's
youngest congressmen.
Congressman MacLeish is
under doctor's care at the...
[Sighs] Sorry. Train's still down.
...where he's said to
be in stable condition.
Unbelievable, right? He's
like a human silver lining.
Yeah, it's amazing
somebody could survive that.
Maybe there will be others.
- [Door opens]
- Good morning, everyone.
- Good morning, sir.
- Morning.
Please, sit.
[TV shuts off]
Thank you for coming in so early.
We've got a big day, so
let's just get started.
Seth, how's it coming with the eulogy
for President Richmond's funeral?
Good, sir. You'll have a draft soon.
I understand this is a private ceremony,
but it's going to be televised
and the entire
country could use some hope.
I'd like to mention
Congressman MacLeish.
Definitely, sir. I also have President
Richmond's son, Tyler,
coming in to share some memories,
make the speech a little more personal.
Good idea.
Let him know that I'm gonna join.
- I'd like to meet him.
- Yes, sir.
Where we at with Al-Sakar?
Any updates from the Joint Chiefs?
NSC is seeking that
additional proof you asked for,
that they're
responsible for the bombing.
Sir, they're briefing me hourly.
And good news from Michigan...
Governor Royce is behaving.
There's been no new reports
of Muslims being harassed,
- but I'll monitor it.
- Good. What else?
Surviving deputies
of Treasury and the Fed...
They need a meeting.
I'll reach out to them as
soon we're finished here.
And don't forget, you have
the Elizabeth Vargas interview at noon.
We'll go over the talking
points right before.
Aaron, Emily, I want your
list for the Cabinet...
- [Electricity crackling]
- What's happening?
Woman: Oh. Wait!
Man: ...just went dark.
[Beeping]
Hey, this is the White House.
There aren't supposed
to be any blackouts.
Unless, a-and I really hate to say this,
- but what if it's...
- A second attack.
Guys, what the hell's going on?
Looks like a power surge.
Backup generator
should kick on any minute.
- Network's down.
- Yeah, I got nothing.
White House line is dead.
This isn't good.
- [Beeping]
- Ritter: What is that?
On the grid... That's no power surge.
Looks like we've got
a real-time intrusion
into the White House network.
I'm on with Fort Meade.
NSA thinks it's just a sniffer...
Some kid poking
around our electrical grid.
NSA's wrong. This is no sniffer.
Agent Ritter, that's the Oval Office.
Cut the link.
I'm trying. It won't work.
Man: Section 2 is still completely dark.
- What is going on?!
- What's happening?
- My computer's out.
- Yeah, mine's out, too. Sir?
Nothing.
Mr. President, I need you to
step away from your computer.
Mike, what's going on?
The White House has just been hacked.
♪ ♪
EOP Security is calling it a one-time,
malicious cyber intrusion.
Against what's supposed to be
the most secure network on earth?
The public is gonna
consider this another attack.
Yeah, that's why the
public can't find out about this.
There's too much chaos as it
is. This just can't get out.
So, we have no idea
what they were after,
or if our files were compromised.
Not yet, sir. NSA's still completing
their scans of all
the White House computers.
Do we have any idea who
might have done this?
Could be the Russians. Could
be the North Koreans.
Or the people that
bombed the Capitol building.
Yes, sir.
We're following every lead.
Okay, thank you, Mike.
Keep me updated.
Yes, sir.
Look, given what's just happened,
we may want to cancel
the Elizabeth Vargas interview.
Aaron: No, that'll
raise too many questions.
We'll just bring the crew
in through the East Entrance
so they don't get wind of the hack.
I agree. It has to be business
as usual around here.
Yeah, you and I will meet with
Congresswoman Hookstraten
and go over the Cabinet
choices as scheduled.
Okay, good.
Now if I could just appoint the rest of
the government legally without a vote.
That would certainly help
lighten your load.
Yeah, so would
choosing your Chief of Staff.
♪ ♪
[Scoffs]
We're done here.
Thank you.
[Telephones ringing,
indistinct conversations]
Do you think there are others?
36 hours...
You never know, but [sighs]
it's not looking good.
How did MacLeish survive?
Those blasts... They
threw glass half a mile.
There's 4,000 tons of debris out there.
Sometimes things
just defy logic, right...
Common sense, or science.
But those are the same
things that give us hope
when the world is going to hell.
That's why they call him the
"Miracle on the Potomac."
Has anyone talked to him?
No, he's in Bethesda... 24-hour care.
He's also the sole surviving witness
to the murder of 1,000 people.
Don't you think
that we need to get there
and speak to him, see
if he saw anything?
We need all hands on deck right here.
Well, you already have
over 50 agents out there
sifting through ruble
and monitoring chatter.
- We don't need...
- [Sighs]
I'm just saying that we need to
get a statement sooner or later.
Don't make a mess I have to clean up.
Ritter: So, the President's computer
is the only one that's been compromised?
Yeah. Just can't tell if
there have been any data spills.
Usually, a frequency analysis
should pinpoint any infected modalities.
- [Beeps]
- That's weird.
What?
A PAL file... Foreign format.
President Kirkman take any
trips overseas lately?
You know, red line's
been running since yesterday.
I'm just saying, if you want
to be Chief of Staff,
you might think about leaving
a little earlier.
Not that it's any of your business,
but my boyfriend asked me
to marry him this morning,
and it's kind of rude to walk out
in the middle of a proposal.
And you've been going out, what?
10 months. Why?
[Chuckles]
It's classic-post-disaster acceleration.
Look, traumatic
events tend to make people
re-evaluate their lives...
You know, babies, marriage, divorce.
It happened after 9/11.
You're lucky, actually.
Actually, I haven't decided yet.
I get it. You want me to say yes
so that I'll be distracted and
you'll get Chief of Staff.
- Wow, Aaron. Impressive.
- [Chuckles]
What are you talking about?
Hey, love in Washington
doesn't happen every day, Emily.
You're lucky, actually.
Ma'am.
Congresswoman Hookstraten,
sorry to keep you waiting.
So, why don't we get started, ma'am?
We put together a list of
potential Cabinet choices.
Since you're effectively Congress...
These will probably be
the fastest confirmations in history.
A question.
Did President Kirkman get a
Best Buy gift card for Christmas,
or is the White House having
some sort of security issue?
What do you mean?
I saw the I.T. staff
removing every
computer from the West Wing.
It's just some technical
issues. It's not a problem.
[Door opens]
Ms. Rhodes, Mr. Shore, could
you come with me, please?
- What? Now?
- Yes, sir.
It's important.
Congresswoman,
will you excuse us, please?
Perhaps it's about that
problem you're not having.
- You wanted to see us?
- Yes.
The NSA and Homeland Security
just finished their
analysis on the hack.
All of our data, files,
codes... Everything's intact.
What, so you're saying they
didn't take anything?
No. They left something behind.
[Speaking Arabic]
Interpreter: I am Majid Nassar.
At your Capitol building,
my Al-Sakar Martyrs Brigade
annihilated your government,
so you, too, can experience
the same terror and death that
you have visited upon our lands.
Righteousness is our
guide, and we are many.
God is great. God is
great. God is great.
Mr. President, you asked for more proof.
There it is.
We have our enemy.
♪ ♪
And we are absolutely certain
this is Majid Nassar?
Yes, sir. NCTC confirms
dialect is a match.
Facial analysts, behavioral
psychologists,
leadership profilers... They all concur.
What is it, sir?
[Exhales sharply]
Al Jazeera was always good
enough for Bin Laden
to release information statements.
Why would Nassar go to all the trouble
to hack the most
secure network in the world
just to deliver this video to me?
It... It doesn't feel right.
I believe he did it,
sir, to show us he can.
He's taunting us.
Mr. President, I do think
it's important to take note
that Al-Sakar has
taken credit for attacks
committed by others in the past...
The Moroccan nightclub bombing, 2013.
I remember. They claimed
responsibility for the bombing,
but eventually Israeli
Intelligence proved
that it was Al-Shabaab.
Okay, any other reasons
to believe that Al-Sakar
was not behind the attack?
Anyone, please?
Come on. Anybody?
[Clears throat] Mr. President,
Jason Atwood, Deputy Director, FBI.
We met at the Capitol site.
You have another theory?
Not me... One of my agents.
She believes that the
evidence was manipulated
to point toward Al-Sakar
so we wouldn't
consider any other suspects.
What evidence?
The unexploded ordinance.
She thinks that it was not a mistake,
and it was left there
on purpose to be found.
And you believe this?
I'm not sure, but I do believe in her.
Sir, what are your orders?
Until we can confirm that
Nassar actually did what he says,
no one outside these walls
sees that video, understood?
In the meantime, track
the son of a bitch down.
Whatever cave, cavern,
or hole he's hiding in,
I want you want you to
find me Majid Nassar.
♪ ♪
Interpreter: ...and we are many.
God is great. God is great. God is great.
Thank you for showing this to me, sir.
I knew you had questions earlier
about what was
happening in the West Wing,
and since you represent Congress,
I think it's important to bring you in
on everything that
involves national security.
Thank you.
I hope you understand that
we cannot show this
to the public yet, not
until we can prove
that every statement
in the video is true.
Otherwise, we run the risk
of a national call to arms.
Would that be such a terrible thing?
I mean, with all due respect, sir,
we need an enemy and soon.
It's the only thing that
will pull us all together
after this terrible attack.
Kimble, we need the right enemy.
We need to be absolutely
certain who did this before we strike.
And personally, I...
I have a difficult time accepting that
the only way to bring the country
together is through war.
You have a lot of difficult
decisions ahead of you, sir.
Speaking for Congress,
I want to assure you
that you have my complete support
no matter what you decide.
Thank you.
And I would never want your job.
[Chuckling] Well, that makes two of us.
Good luck with Elizabeth
Vargas, not that you need it.
You're a natural, sir.
[Door opens]
Congressman MacLeish, Special
Agent Hannah Wells, FBI.
FBI.
How are you?
Alive, so... lucky... mostly.
This may be too soon, but, um...
I came here because I was
wondering if you could tell me
anything about that night,
anything you can remember,
something that looked out
of place or didn't add up.
I have no idea.
I was sitting in my seat, watching
the President speak,
and then... everything went black.
I lost...
friends, colleagues...
All of them.
The only thing that doesn't add up is...
why me?
Why'd I survive?
Whatever you find out,
please, you let me know.
[Telephone rings in
distance, indistinct talking]
Tyler?
I'm sorry we're late.
Tom Kirkman.
The President. I know.
Words could never describe
how sorry I am for your incredible loss.
Hi, I'm Seth Wright.
I was a junior speech
writer under your father.
- I'm sorry about your parents.
- Thank you.
Seth is working on my eulogy
for your father's service later today.
We were hoping you might
have something personal to share.
Uh... yeah.
Um, my dad was...
He was a great man...
I had tremendous respect for him.
...as a president, but,
um, you know, to me,
he was just... Dad.
I mean, he had the
hardest job in the world,
you know, um, things coming
at him from everyone
and everywhere, but...
[Inhales sharply]
...you know, still, he
was always there for me.
Um, and now...
I have some very big shoes to fill.
Yeah, we both do.
[Grunts]
Why are we unpacking Leo's stuff?
Well, because this is our new home
and I want it to feel like home.
And Leo will never do it. [Giggles]
[Cellphone rings]
Hey, it's me. I got to make this quick.
I've got my interview waiting.
About dinner tonight...
How about the four of
us, family dinner, 6:30?
Yeah. But where's this coming from?
I need to have a reason to
want to have dinner with my family?
Okay, I'll see you then.
I love you. Bye.
Mommy, what are these?
Oh, those are just headache
pills, sweetie.
I guess Leo gets a lot of headaches.
Okay, let's go.
So, you'll tape today to air tonight.
This interview is a get.
Every network wanted it,
but we hope Elizabeth
Vargas is a friend of the court.
What if she brings up the blackout?
Aaron: She won't, sir. The
story's been contained.
This is all about the
country getting to know you.
You want to be in
command, but approachable.
Smart, but relatable.
What about sincere?
Yeah, you could... Sincere could work.
You can go with sincere if you want.
I'll go with sincere.
Vargas: It is astonishing that
Congressman MacLeish survived.
It's incredibly encouraging
to have good news
in these heartbreaking times.
And difficult times, certainly, to lead,
given the challenge from
the governor of Michigan,
the near riot in the Capitol.
Well, thankfully,
those crises were averted.
But I have to say, the
American people have
this unique ability to be at their best
when times are at their worst,
and I'm counting on them as
much to get through this
as they're counting on me.
Your previous position in the Cabinet
as Secretary of Housing
and Urban Development...
It's not a natural stepping stone
to go from that position
straight into the Oval Office.
No. No, it's not.
And, to be honest, I have never had
any aspirations for the presidency, ever.
When I came to Washington,
I came to help people.
- Home stretch.
- I have one last question,
and this is something
we have just unearthed.
I wanted to give you a
chance to address it.
We have sources who are telling us,
and I'd like your comment
on this, please...
Where is this going?
Somewhere I don't like.
...that President Richmond
fired you from his Cabinet
on the day of the attack in the Capitol?
Mr. President, were you fired?
And... and if you were, can
you understand why some may say
you have no business being the
President of the United States?
- Mr. President, were you fired?
- Sir, please?
I'm sorry. Can you excuse
me for one second?
- Of course.
- Thank you.
I have no idea how they
got ahold of that information.
Maybe from the hack?
No, NSA said our
files weren't compromised.
Look, this is on the record.
I'm gonna have to answer.
- You have to tell the truth.
- Are you kidding me?
Aaron, it's already out
there. Besides, he wasn't fired.
That's perception. Nobody's
gonna see it that way.
Sir, you admit to this,
you bring down your
presidency before it even begins.
Deny it, and you start your
presidency off with a lie.
I'll take it from here.
[Door opens]
[Sighs]
I'm sorry for the interruption.
Do you mind asking the question again?
Of course.
Mr. President, were you fired
by President Richmond on
the day of the attack?
No, I was offered another assignment,
an ambassadorship,
which I had not accepted yet.
Did you request this transfer?
[Scoffs]
No, I did not.
So, is it safe to say President Richmond
no longer wanted you to
serve in his Cabinet?
That would be correct.
Richmond: ...our mothers
and their fathers
and their...
Show me that front
angle of MacLeish again.
Uh, what are you looking for?
An explanation for why 1,000
people are dead, Chuck.
And their fathers and their...
There. Go back.
To where it cuts out. Freeze.
- Look.
- The time code. So?
The Capitol blew up at 10:08:04, right?
Mm-hmm.
So why did the feed cut out
34 seconds before the Capitol exploded?
Right, Kline's been looking into that.
Working theory is someone tampered with
the on-site control panel...
You know, where the
feed was broadcast from.
But it's hard for him to prove it
because the panel
exploded with the Capitol.
Right. Okay. All right. Rewind. Rewind.
[Video rewinding]
Wait. Freeze.
Zoom in.
Who's the woman with the camera?
I don't know.
Check the seating chart,
and then I want you to
download the contents of her cloud.
I want to see every
photo she took that night.
Maybe she got something during
those missing 34 seconds.
You want me to hack a dead woman's phone
without an Order to Compel?
It'll take too long.
Not gonna make these people any deader.
Chuck, the greatest
act of terrorism since 9/11
was just perpetrated on our soil,
and I need to know what happened.
And if we don't play dirty,
we don't stand a chance.
Do it.
[Sighs]
♪ ♪
It's not there.
MDMA, right?
Mom.
At least that's what the Internet says.
I-It's not what you think. I...
Oh, really? Because I think my
teenage son is dealing drugs.
Possession with intent to distribute,
and that is a felony.
Penny found it.
Do you know what would
have happened to her
if she'd taken even one of those?
What... I mean, she's 8.
It's not like she's stupid.
And what's your excuse?
Ma'am, the motorcade for
President Richmond's funeral
- is waiting.
- Of course.
We are not done.
♪ ♪
[Siren chirps]
You seem distracted. You all right?
Yeah, it's just Leo. I-It can wait.
[Indistinct talking]
Mr. President, here
are the changes we made
to your remarks.
Go ahead. I'll catch up.
I'm sorry, sir. The printers
are still down in the West Wing.
Okay, good.
Is that your eulogy?
Tyler, yeah.
I just made some last-minute changes.
Well, don't bother. You
won't be needing it.
I'm sorry. Excuse me?
I saw a clip of your interview online.
My father fired you,
and I won't let you use his funeral
as some sort of PR stunt to
make you look presidential
when he thought you were anything but.
Tyler, please, you don't under...
You know what? Just save
it for your next interview.
- Ty...
- He can't do that.
You are the president.
No. He lost his father.
We will respect his wishes.
- Come on.
- Let's go.
♪ ♪
Tyler saw the interview.
He doesn't want me to do the eulogy.
My father loved his job.
And more than anything, he
loved the people he worked with.
He was always grateful to
have allies across the aisle,
and I know he'd be pleased
to have one of those friends
here today to say a few words.
What'd he just say?
I... Must be a mistake. No
one else is slated to speak.
This person is someone
my father spoke about
with great admiration and respect,
and someone we are
blessed to have represent us
during such uncertain times...
Congresswoman Kimble Hookstraten.
Hookstraten?
Still think it was a good idea for him
to tell the truth at the interview?
This isn't good.
No.
This is what you get for
being honest in D.C....
Opportunism.
[Sighs]
And when he rose from those
pine thickets of Louisiana
to the heights of power on the Potomac,
my friend Robert Richmond
never imagined that he'd be struck down
by the enemies of liberty.
And I am reminded
now, more than ever before,
that a country of the
people, by the people,
and for the people will
not perish from this earth.
She good. I'll give her that.
She's so political, she
doesn't even seem political.
Hookstraten: May God bless you,
and God bless the
United States of America.
[Applause]
♪ ♪
Ma'am, I just got a call from
Leo's security detail.
Your son had them take
him to 88 Hartford Drive.
- Okay, thanks, Mike.
- Mr. President.
Galvanizing speech, Congresswoman.
Is something wrong, sir?
No, not at all, Kimble.
Republicans, Democrats, Independents...
We're all Americans today.
Isn't that what you said?
Ever since that Elizabeth
Vargas video came out,
social media's been going crazy.
The "Designated Survivor,
or Designated Deceiver?"
"#BogusPOTUS." That one's trending.
Listen to this from
The Washington Post...
"The Congresswoman's
speech was inspiring.
Given that and the fact
that Kirkman was fired,
is it possible the country's being led
by the wrong Designated Survivor?"
Wow. It's smaller than I remember.
I'll be a second, Mike.
[Car door closed]
Hey.
I don't know.
You don't know what?
Why I did it.
I mean, that's why you're here, right,
for... For an explanation?
I mean, I-I-I wanted
attention, or I was acting out...
Well, is that why?
No, no! No.
I told you, I...
- You don't know.
- I don't know.
Look, I know... I know I screwed up,
but sometimes people
just... Just do stuff.
There's not always a reason.
No, I... I think there are reasons.
I think the reason you came home today
is the same reason that your dad and I
want to have a family dinner tonight,
to hold on to who we were
before the Capitol blew up.
Leo...
the White House did
not cause our problems.
We brought them with us.
What about Dad?
Did you tell him?
Not yet.
[Sighs]
He'll be so upset.
Dinner, 6:30, um...
we'll deal with it then.
Here.
[Sighs]
Tyler, it's Tom Kirkman. Please
call me back. Thank you.
Man: ...Congressman MacLeish
to address the media.
Seth: Bad time, sir?
No, come on in.
...earlier today was a serene...
I think Tyler Richmond
is dodging my calls.
[Scoffs] I'm sorry about what happened.
You wrote a beautiful eulogy.
I'm sorry he didn't get to hear it.
Thank you, sir.
There is one thing. [Sighs]
After the funeral,
I ran into a couple of former staffers
who were closer with
the former President.
They told me that Tyler and his father
had a falling out two years ago.
They hadn't spoken to each
other since, not a word.
Wow. [Scoffs]
He didn't make it sound like that.
I guess all any son wants
is to feel like he's
loved by his father.
Maybe it's just
easier to lie to the world
than it is to be honest with yourself.
Yeah.
We have breaking news now
from Washington, D.C.
We've just received a video obtained
from a high-level White House source.
The video shows Majid Nassar,
the leader of the
Algerian-based Al-Sakar...
Someone leaked it.
- Who? Cochrane?
- No, it's not his style.
Wyatt, can you get me
Congresswoman Hookstraten now?
Forgive me, sir, but I
did not leak that video.
I'm wondering why you think I did.
Because you said to my
face that we needed an enemy.
Well, now we've got one,
and we both know you're
not above undermining me.
Still holding my speech against me?
Sorry, it's still a little fresh,
and I can't help but notice a
pattern starting to develop.
Mr. President, I was
honest with you then,
and I'll be honest with you now.
I did not release that video.
But whoever did
was actually doing
you a tremendous favor.
How on earth is that possible?
Just wait.
In an hour or two, the
conversation won't be about
whether you were fired or
if I gave a great speech.
It'll be about the vicious and
ruthless enemy we're facing
and how we should all rally around
our leader, Tom Kirkman.
Even if we can't prove that they're
the group that actually attacked us.
I'm sorry, but that's out
of your hands now, sir.
You might not be ready for it,
but you are now truly
our Commander in Chief.
That'll be all.
Kimble.
Sir?
Earlier, you said that you
didn't want this job.
Was that the truth?
Yes.
For now.
For now?
What about three years?
Well, with the primaries,
more like two and a half.
But who's counting?
Told you I was honest.
[Knock on door]
You wanted to see me?
Did you really think I wouldn't find out
that you asked a data tech to
ignore the Fourth Amendment?
Jason, our government's gone.
It can't be business as usual, can it?
It can't be the Wild West, either.
I've got agents from
every task force working 24/7.
If you break the law,
you jeopardize all the
work they've put in.
You're right.
I know.
Whatever you want to do, I understand.
Have a seat. [Exhales deeply]
The lab updated the
list of confirmed dead.
One of those names is
Senator Scott Wheeler.
♪ ♪
I'm sorry.
You knew?
Come on, I work for the largest
information-gathering organization
in the free world.
What would that say
about me if I didn't?
We met a year ago.
He wasn't happy.
You know the story.
He and his wife were splitting, or...
Or that's what I wanted to believe.
This job is not easy.
We all need someone to care
if we make it home at night.
So forgive yourself for that.
[Inhales sharply] I'm
sorry. I went too far.
No.
You made a bad call.
But from now on,
I want only good ones.
Can you do that?
Yeah.
We're tracking a shift among
major news outlets.
They're now focusing almost
exclusively on Al-Sakar's confession.
Social media's showing the same trend.
Yeah, it seems like we're back online.
Guys, this is what I call a win-win.
Excuse me. I'm sorry to interrupt.
Please, sit.
Aaron, can I see you for a moment?
Yes, sir.
All right, guys. Keep me posted.
Sir, the media's moving in
the right direction now.
Now that video... It
changed the entire narrative.
I know it was you.
Sir?
I know you were the
one who released the video.
Sir, you were on the ropes.
The country was nervous.
The press was circling.
Aaron, please.
Nobody is talking about
the wrong designated survivor anymore.
They're rallying against a common enemy,
and soon they'll unite
behind their Commander in Chief.
I don't know if we've even
got the right target yet.
I'm... I'm not ready to declare war.
All due respect, sir, that's a decision
you can only make
if you remain president,
and it didn't look likely six hours ago.
What you did wasn't
just duplicitous or cynical,
it was directly insubordinate.
Sir, perhaps you've noticed
you're surrounded by people
who would love to see you fail.
I want to help you succeed.
Sir, I want to help you thrive.
What I did was a bold move.
I admit it.
And I believe it was the best one.
If you can't see it that way...
[Portfolio unzips]
...here's my letter of resignation.
You can accept it at any
time if you so choose.
♪ ♪
[Knock on door]
Mr. President, Tyler Richmond.
Thank you.
Why am I here?
Please, have a seat.
I feel I owe you an apology
because I agreed to
have you brought over
to the West Wing earlier today
to tell stories about your father
for the eulogy that I
was supposed to deliver.
It was insensitive, and I am sorry.
But I remembered that I
actually have a story for you.
Oh, like the time my dad fired you?
[Scoffs] No. No.
This was when your father took almost
an hour out of a Cabinet meeting
to tell us all about your spring
recital at Williams last year.
No, I-I-I think... I
think you're mistaken.
Bartók "Violin Concerto
Nomber 2", I think.
Yeah, but my... My father wasn't there.
- He had a Cabinet...
- He was...
in the back of the room.
Okay. I think I would know.
He had one Secret Service detail.
He was wearing a baseball cap.
He didn't want to
take the focus off of you.
No, that's just not...
He went on and on about your craft,
your diligence, your work
ethic, your talent, and...
[Chuckles]
...he was so proud.
It was nice.
And at the end, he
gave everyone a program.
I asked my assistant
Wyatt to go to my old office
and bring it here for me.
He was...
He was there?
Tyler, I think he was always there.
[Sobs quietly]
I'm sorry he couldn't tell you himself.
[Inhales sharply]
Um...
Would you, um... You mind if I...
That would be my honor.
It's why I asked you here.
[Sniffles, clears throat]
Um... thank you...
...Mr. President.
My pleasure.
[Door opens]
[Hannah sobs quietly]
[Cellphone vibrates]
Yeah, Chuck, what is it?
Chuck: Hey, I've been looking at
the feed from the State of the Union.
You've got to get over here.
I'm on my way.
[Cellphone beeps]
[Engine starts]
Emily: You wanted to see me?
Emily, please, have a seat.
[Clears throat]
Telling the truth earlier
today might not have been
the most savvy thing to
do, but it felt right.
It's who I am.
It's the kind of president I need to be.
I feel the same way.
I've been thinking
about my Chief of Staff.
Have you?
And I guess I should
just come right out with it.
I have decided to go with Aaron.
I'm sorry?
I know you have misgivings about Aaron.
Hell, so do I.
But I need someone political,
someone who can think
differently than I do.
I can be that.
Emily, I need you to be you.
Right.
I need you to know that I
cannot do this without you.
You have been by my side since
I began in public service.
It's always been you and me
off to fight the good fight.
But this...
This is beyond anything anyone
could have expected.
And the truth is, I'm scared.
I'm scared I'm going to fail...
Fail our nation at this crucial time.
I would like to appoint
you as my Special Adviser.
It's not a consolation. You
would have full access.
Please.
I would be honored.
But for the record, I'm not
here to smile and nod.
If I disagree with
Aaron, I'm gonna say it.
I would expect nothing less.
Thank you, Mr. President.
[Door closes]
Family dinner.
[Sighs] Damn it.
♪ ♪
[Drawer handle rattles]
- [Chuckles]
- It suits you...
the office.
Congratulations, really.
No hard feelings?
I'm sure I can hunt
down a couple glasses.
I should get home.
Hey, so I get a job, you get a fiancé.
You know, you're
probably the real winner here.
I said no.
Post-disaster acceleration
isn't the right reason to get married.
Hey, I... I didn't mean that.
No, you were right.
At least I won't be late to work again.
I didn't mean that, either.
But, Aaron, just
don't get too comfortable,
because Chiefs of Staff get
replaced all the time.
Night.
[Sighs]
[Door opens]
Hi, Daddy.
Hey. Come here.
[Giggling]
[Chuckles]
Hey.
What are you doing up so late?
Hmm?
We waited up for you.
Hey. Where's Leo?
I said he could stay over at
a friend's house tonight.
Oh. On a school night?
Was that the thing you
didn't want to tell me earlier?
Yeah.
Oh.
Actually, um, I...
I changed my mind.
Hey.
[Giggles]
Family dinner, right?
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Hannah: First you get me in trouble.
Now you want to help me?
Truth is, I never
liked Orders to Compel,
and I think you're kind of badass.
What do you got?
Okay, so I hacked the
woman's cloud, and you were right.
She took two photos between the time
the feed cut and the
time of the explosion.
The missing 34 seconds?
- Yeah.
- Show me.
And Congressman MacLeish in his seat...
- Chuck, I've seen this.
- Wait for it.
This photo was taken six seconds later.
[Beeping]
I can't tell you what
happened that night,
how they did it, why.
But I can tell you MacLeish survived...
Because he wasn't there.
[Exhales deeply]
[Cellphone vibrates]
[Cellphone beeps]
Aaron Shore.
Aaron, it's me.
Mr. President.
You forced my hand
today by releasing that tape.
You put in motion a
timetable that will test
the patience of the American people.
So, your first job as my Chief of Staff
is to make sure Al-Sakar
is found, and fast,
or you may find my
patience being tested.
Are we clear?
Yes, sir.
Good night, Mr. President.
Good night.
[Cellphone beeps]
He's an interesting guy, your boss.
I have what you asked for.
Anything good?
Depends whose side you're on.
♪ ♪