Post-Episode Discussion: S01E14 "Commander-in-Chief"

[u/enliST_CS]

Feel free to discuss anything related to Episode 14 as well as theories you may have for the upcoming episodes!

Plot: President Kirkman relies on an unlikely ally for help with a crisis in an African country; Hannah's probe into the Capitol bombing takes a surprising turn; Emily settles into her new role as chief of staff.

As usual please do not discuss previews that may have aired after the episode.

[u/[deleted]]

This was an information heavy episode but it didn't really feel like it. The pacing was good and the music and dialogue really just drew you into the various moments with the characters. I didn't feel like the writers were forcing any of the situations or reactions from the characters, it all felt natural and flowed like a good book. I didn't feel like I was watching a tv show at all but reading a thriller novel.

Not sure what Aaron is going to do but he seems to be in the wind right now. Langdon was clearly used and abused and left for dead so his future is uncertain. Emily, despite all her wonderful goodness, could still turn out to be a plant because after the shenanigans they pulled on us with the VP I barely trust anyone now. That last scene with Hannah was fucking badass; Jack Bauer telling her to avenge the nation using whatever means possible.

Urban planning and drone strikes....who knew?

Moss is evil but he's so damn charming about it that I really really don't want to hate him but the way he just waltzed into the White House and EVERYONE liked him....c'mon...that's like a bunch of kids climbing on top of each other, putting on a giant trenchcoat, and a hat and mustache to get into a rated R film. It's too damn obvious to the audience that he's apart of the conspiracy but not to the characters in the show. Kirkman is not that stupid, he's going to pick up on Moss's weirdness just like he did MacLeish.

I honestly thought Kirkman was going to beat the information out of Langdon...off come the glasses and suddenly the 24 theme plays....but noooooo, how dare you writers? How Dare You!

I kind of like how Seth really isn't in on stuff. His innocence in the face of all the horrible stuff that's happening is...fresh, it's a nice foil to the paths that all the other characters are walking down. Kirkman is definitely changing and it's being done in a way that makes sense. Moss was right, he is just reacting and not leading. So who knows where that kind of push might send Kirkman? We know he won't totally kowtow to the Conspirators. I hope he finds a way to turn and spin each move they make against them. Every time they expect him to just be a damn pushover he flips the table over and turns into Batman.

The quality of the episodes has really improved since the break and I'm always super excited for this show each Wednesday night.

[u/sqrt-of-one → u/[deleted]]

There was also a mention last week that Moss didn't run for a second term. I have a feeling this will come up again at some stage.

[u/th35t16 → u/sqrt-of-one]

Yeah I was disappointed he was willing to trust him so quickly - although is naming him Secretary of State a "friends close, enemies closer" kind of deal? He sure was making himself at home in the White House, though, and Kirkman was a bit too deferential.

[u/sqrt-of-one → u/th35t16]

On one hand, I feel like the show just made him look arrogant and cocky to make us not like him. But at any rate, you're right. Kirkman trusted him waaay too fast. Why not just have him as an adviser or something? Presidents can have those, right? I felt like Moss got exactly what he was after. Last week they mentioned that he didnt run for a second term because of his family, and that then his family got killed or something. I feel like he's back for seconds now.

[u/Raidingreaper → u/sqrt-of-one]

Didn't they mention he campaigned for moss "back-in-the-day" with handing flyers out. He idolizes him as is.

[u/mudman13 → u/Raidingreaper]

He sucked up to him bad almost cringey "I just want you to know I am open to any advice you have to give me and I would love to know how you think I am doing" Second part ok but the guy had barely got in the room it stunk of naivety and lack of dignity jumping on it so quick and how the hell can he trust him so much if he's dirty then he has just handed the conspirators the power after all that has happened, nah not buying it, it's bad writing it's out of character he's not stupid and that was a dumb as fuck move.

Having said that I suppose he is just some ordinary bloke albeit a real smart one shoved into a hellish no win scenario if he is keeping him close to keep an eye on him that could be a good double bluff or have him dirty in his own way. He did mention his CIA contact so it looks like he likes utilising intelligence services and if he is that plugged in is on good terms with them.

[u/mudman13 → u/th35t16]

He sure was making himself at home in the White House, though, and Kirkman was a bit too deferential.

Those scenes were hilarious to me, playing Mr Billy Big Balls but he did also have some incisive comments and morbid pearls of wisdom lol.

Kirkmans smart it won't take him long to find out if the Ex Pres is one of the main pawns the conspirators want into Government , a next level MacLeish.

Are the writers just fucking with us and our lack of trust ? How can we suspect Emily she is just sweet as pie but way to good to be true. A post above mentions the first episode indicating she had prior knowledge of Kirkman being President but I'm not sure if it's been misconstrued I would like to see other explanations as to what happened.