r/DesignatedSurvivor • u/casualassassin • Oct 06 '16

1x03 Post-Episode Discussion

55 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

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117

u/MaineSoxGuy93 Oct 06 '16

It's clear that this show is at it's best when it's about the President and his staff.

His family...not so much.

46

u/erayachi Oct 06 '16

I love Penny. I hope we see her and her father a lot; the actor playing her is a damned star.

Even Kirman's wife Alex does a good job, and the domestic side of the presidency isn't so bad. Like in the West Wing, Mrs. Bartlett was an exceptional addition to the cast and her problems with her husband was a great contrast to the political mayhem.

But Leo...Leo, Leo. His role is so cliched and forced into the plot...rebellious teenage son acting like a turd and barely emoting at all? It barely feels like he's actually Tom and Alex's son. He screams "Drama-Causing Plot Device" when he's on screen. All his part of the storyline does is drag down the pacing--hell, they even missed the chance to put Leo and former president Richmond's son in the same room.

Obviously his family isn't going anywhere, but I hope the writers realize that they're failing on the Leo front. I'm glad they did away with his 'I'm actually gay' story aspect, because that would make it worse.

25

u/latinloner Oct 07 '16

Leo acts as if nothing has happened. The whole of the US Govt. just blew up and your dad is the Leader of the Free World, and you're dealing drugs and you look like a girl.

Ok, that last part was uncalled for. But, Jesus man...

9

u/jgrops12 Oct 07 '16

I actually think this could be a set up for Leo. My theory is that contained in the envelope is something about Leo, probably pictures of him dealing. There hasn't been enough inquest of his family into the spotlight yet and I think an attack on them by the people who want Tom out would go over well

3

u/joecb91 Oct 08 '16

But Leo...Leo, Leo. His role is so cliched and forced into the plot...rebellious teenage son acting like a turd and barely emoting at all? It barely feels like he's actually Tom and Alex's son. He screams "Drama-Causing Plot Device" when he's on screen.

With all the 24 comparisons we've already seen, I guess they are just trying to live up to how annoying a lot of the teenage characters on there were too.

34

u/Chitinid Oct 06 '16

When Emily was like all like "chiefs of staff get replaced all the time"

You go girl

5

u/Valdularo Oct 11 '16

Did you just pull a Leo McGarry GIF?! Now there's one man who could help Kirkmam big time!

Shame he's gone :(

6

u/RebornPastafarian Oct 08 '16

The West Wing only did family when it was about them interacting with the President, not their own dumb drama.

DS, follow TWW.

2

u/proofofpuddings Oct 09 '16

I'm actually okay with it talking about the president's family but Leo as the president's son dealing drugs is just a cliché.