Whenever I start a new TV show, I usually like to commit to at least a few episodes to see where the show is going and what its potential might be. That being said, a TV pilot does have the responsibility to be interesting enough to make you keep tuning in. This is especially true for network shows that are so severely limited by content, network, and other restrictions (not like the cable/streaming shows that basically have free reign). I was excited about the potential of "Designated Survivor" for two reasons: 1. It looked like an interesting concept; and 2. Kiefer Sutherland is a great actor. Unfortunately, neither of those things are played to their fullest potential, leading to one of the most lackluster, "vanilla" pilots I've ever seen.
For a basic plot summary, this show sets up the concept of a low-level Cabinet member, Tom Kirkman (Sutherland), being thrust into the Presidency when all those further up in the chain are taken out via a terrorist attack during the State of the Union address. As Kirkman and family, notably wife Alex (Natascha McElhone), struggle to deal with their future taking such a dramatic turn, an investigation into the bombing commences.
There are two main problems with this Pilot:
1. There are no surprises whatsoever...nothing to make you believe that this show will be interesting or unique in any way. It doesn't deviate from the concept in any way, shape, or form.
2. It focuses on all the wrong things. This should be a show about how a Jimmy Stewart-like "everyman" takes on a surprise Presidency. Instead, and rather inexplicably, it seems to focus on anything but. It turns into a show (or at least an episode) that seems to dance around the fringes of what should be the "good stuff". As much time is given to Kirkman's family and the terror investigation. To me, this signals that the show really isn't all that interested in breaking new ground; content to just be grooved into a formulaic pattern.
I feel a little bad jumping ship after one episode, but despite all my hopes going into the show, I have not one iota to continue after watching the Pilot. There wasn't a single thing that interesting me enough to want to keep tuning in, and compounding the issue is the problem where it looks like the show won't address what should be its interesting components. My gut feeling tells me this show will be cancelled without an entire season pickup. It's just too sluggish and dull to attract many eyeballs.
