Designated Survivor season 2, episode 13 preview: Original Sin

Tonight’s Designated Survivor sees the introduction of President Kirkman’s brother and a leak that could bring down his term.

A leak of President’s Kirkman’s private meeting with the person responsible for his wife’s car accident death (via manslaughter) is the focus of tonight’s Designated Survivor. Aptly titled “Original Sin,” the episode will raise this question: Do we expect President Kirkman to act any differently than we would in that situation? In the meeting, Kirkman makes certain he’s keeping the man alive so he suffers every day with the memory. He wants Evan Beeman to never forget that he took his children’s mother away from them. Kirkman maintains that’s why he’s made it a prerogative that no prisoner hurt him, so he has time to reflect until eternity.

We’ll see if the American people are accepting of Kirkman’s vengeful tone, as his political enemies will naturally see opportunity in the moment. They’ll portray Kirkman as a man full of anger, though his supporters can similarly say he’s shown restraint. It’s all in the eye of the beholder and their own biases.

Are you ready to meet Tom Kirkman’s younger brother, Trey Kirkman? Trey, who’s played by actor Breckin Meyer, will be making his official debut on the series tonight in a recurring role. What influence positive or negative will he have on Tom and his vision for the Presidency? We’ll find out the first hints of his inevitable impact, subtle or direct, tonight. TVLine previously reported the two brothers were estranged for years prior to tonight’s episode meeting.

President Kirkman really needs someone he can trust right now in his inner circle after releasing Cornelius Moss from his position of Secretary of State. Moss made a deal with the Russians last episode without President Kirkman’s approval, leading to his dismissal. It was no ordinary power-play either, with the subject at hand the Russian’s involvement with Icarus Astrotech being shelved in the exchange. Kirkman obviously saw it as personal considering Icarus was at the forefront of his wife’s court case.

Moss felt he was doing the right thing because he thought President Kirkman had been playing it safe since the First Lady’s accident. He believed Kirkman needed to move on from Icarus and its connections as a whole. However, Kirkman rightfully saw it as not Moss’ decision to make regardless of intention.

We found out last episode that Damian Rennett was seemingly about to propose rather than pull out a weapon on agent Hannah Wells. When asked about it, he said, “It doesn’t matter now, does it?” Wells responded in kind, subtly referencing the unspoken gesture that didn’t end up occurring and now likely never will.

Despite Rennett helping Wells and Aaron Shore in an attempt to cut a deal, he was still sent to prison. No true second chance was granted, even though Rennett did not take out Wells with ample opportunity to do so. It appears he still shares romantic feelings toward Wells, and maybe she does too.

It’s make or break day for the Kirkman administration on Designated Survivor. Now that his meeting has been leaked unfiltered and uncensored, it’s the American people who will be judge and jury in the public eye. Either they see themselves in Kirkman and it earns more supporters for his earnest, genuine response …

Or it’s the beginning of the end, as his administration unravels at its seams. There’s no real room to spin, and press secretary Seth Wright will likely find himself caught off-guard post-leak. Video proof is fact rather than speculation and heresy, with no way out.

Check out our Designated Survivor live stream information for tonight’s episode. Be sure to check out the official Designated Survivor on ABC website for access to previous episodes based on your cable provider.