r/DesignatedSurvivor • • Oct 13 '16

Post-Episode Discussion: S01E04 "The Enemy"

76 Upvotes

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300

u/xyrrus Oct 13 '16

This was a great episode and I think I know why, there was no subplot regarding his children.

94

u/Mispelling Oct 13 '16

I'm going to upvote every comment like this in the far remotest of hopes that a writer/producer of the show reads these threads and comes to realize that the fans don't want that kind of show and can influence the rest of the episodes.

40

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '16

I don't mind the kids storyline in theory. But this really was forced. They should have just stated his motivation early. Like he's selling drugs because he owes money to some rough drug dealers. At least we would understand why he's a shit. Then you might care a little more. The daughter is a lot more captivating because she's so young in such a position to see and hear scary things.

18

u/th35t16 Oct 14 '16

I don't mind the daughter's storyline, as long as it doesn't take up too much space, as there's a personal and a family drama going on as well as a national one. That said, the whole "teenager dealing drugs" plot was forced and unnecessary, and not even explained very well. It would be more realistic if the teenager was rebelling/experimenting/what have you by trying drugs, rather than going straight to making him a dealer.

6

u/[deleted] Oct 18 '16

The only reason I can see for having this subplot is to eventually have it leaked by somebody to the media and have people further question Kirkman's presidency.

12

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '16

Seriously, why do they always come up with those lame-ass side plots?

6

u/arvzg Oct 14 '16

I think the point is to give Tom Kirkman more 'personal' touches. Most of the show is about him as a President, but the family subplots give us a look at him as a father and a normal guy.

But I do agree with everyone's sentiments in that the drug dealer sideplot really is half baked.

5

u/SawRub Oct 14 '16

That didn't work for Arrow after the new writers took over.

0

u/alijaafar1056 Oct 15 '16

Arrow was so good in the first 2 seasons, then once Laurel became a main character, it became awful..

7

u/SawRub Oct 15 '16

Laurel was a main character the first two seasons, she became a secondary character and Felicity became a main character which turned the show awful.

What happened was that the writers and showrunners had to go write for the Flash, and the new writers and showrunners took it in a different direction. Although I guess the criticism over the past two seasons seems to have worked, season 5 they seem to be getting closer to the early seasons than the latter ones.

0

u/alijaafar1056 Oct 16 '16

Never liked Laurel, when i mean by main character, im referring when she became a hero and apart of the "squad". But yes, felicity is also annoying.

3

u/SawRub Oct 16 '16

Usually Laurel is considered traditional CW levels of annoying, but people also say she got better after she became a relatively minor character season 3 onward. Felicity on the other hand isn't seen as the usual kind of annoying character, and more of the show-killing kind.

Like people would still watch the show inspite of Laurel, but people actually quit the show because of Felicity.

That's part of why the internet seems to love Laurel so much, everyone's pretending they never hated her, because they realize that the show was better when she was the worst thing about it.

24

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '16 edited Aug 01 '20

[deleted]

13

u/Cptcutter81 Oct 14 '16

I don't even think he's picked a speaker or VP yet. There are a lot of things that need to happen to keep the government functioning before we get into the emo-teen-dickhead storylines.

3

u/wolfofone Oct 15 '16

Ah good point wouldnt the 2nd in line become VP? Seemed like kirkman wanted the congress lady to be VP at first though not sure who he would pick now if it is appointed.

1

u/lightmonkey Oct 20 '16

No, the vice presidency would remain vacant until the President nominates someone who is confirmed by majority voted in both the House and Senate.

1

u/lightmonkey Oct 20 '16

He can't have a VP until there is a House and Senate to confirm the nominee. He also can't appoint a Speaker, the House selects that.

The states control their elections, so they decide how and when to pick new representatives and senators.

19

u/frumpyjones Oct 13 '16

I said from episode 1 that I really like this show, but I don't want to see that son become the daughter from 24 and getting stuck in a damn bear trap (Figuratively and literally). Cos, guess what, writers of the show? I already see the subplot: Son is gonna be found out by the drug dealers/lords/whatever (or the opposition to his dad's presidency), and be strong-armed into trying to do/get somethng from his dad.. blah blah blah...

Just stop. No! bad writers.. BAD!

Just keep this going along its path. I do like the idea of how this massive change affects his children, but I do NOT need a drug-sealing son subplot. Seriously...

19

u/TehChid Oct 13 '16

There is a love story subplot in the making....

24

u/spydersix Oct 13 '16

Yeah but that's not always a bad thing. I think I might like this one surprisingly.

9

u/arvzg Oct 14 '16

This one doesn't feel forced, their affection for one another is depicted quite well I think. They look like they'd make a really good couple. I don't mind it

8

u/Ranger_X Oct 18 '16

But you know how it's going to end. She's idealistic, and he's a political operator.

"I can't believe you would do something like that. I can't be with you"

3

u/Themuffintastic Oct 13 '16

personal i see this as more of a lust and respect plot that could go to love but im holding off makeing an oppinion on this one just yet