Designated Survivor recap: Kirkman vs. Moss on ‘Target’

Former President Cornelius Moss blindsided President Kirkman by announcing his bid to run against him as a Republican on Designated Survivor.

Designated Survivor’s latest episode saw both the Democratic and Republic parties attempt to leverage President Kirkman into being their next candidate. Both political parties would rather run with the incumbent in The White House than be the ones to challenge his seat but Kirkman wouldn’t budge. Their two leading Senators more than hinted that they’d leave the DOD defense budget in limbo until President Kirkman pledged allegiance to their side. Despite Kirkman continuing to maintain his stance as an independent, the Democratic and Republican parties wouldn’t have it.

President Kirkman makes a political play by telling the press directly on camera what the two party leaders were actively doing and telling the American people they were holding the DOD budget from passing for their own partisan gains. Even though White House Political Director Lyor Boone tells Kirkman going at it alone with no promise of a second election could see him under lame duck status, Kirkman holds steady on his independent status.

This opens the door for former President and Secretary of State Cornelius Moss to take the Republican mantle. Moss declared on camera that he would run for his former office with the Republican leader stating he was the next President of the United States.

President Kirkman opens Pandora’s box

President Kirkman thought he’d solve two problems in one motion by appointing Ethan West as Special Prosecutor against former President Cornelius Moss. Both West, who he had helped previously, and Moss were running his good name into the dirt in the media, and this was a way to pit his two enemies against each other. What he didn’t count on was West’s unpredictability eventually turning the whole game around on him.

Moss meets with Kirkman at The Oval Office to discuss an unspoken truce, calling West’s case a “Pandora’s box” in the making. President Kirkman is confident Moss would be dishonored for his leaks and does not stand down. Unfortunately for Kirkman, though West finds Moss narcissistic, he also notices a pattern. Agent Hannah Wells, who at the episode’s conclusion he points to as part of a criminal political conspiracy initiated by Kirkman against his rival Moss.

Hannah Wells goes after Valeria, gets arrested

This week’s Designated Survivor started off with Hannah Wells barging into Valeria Porsekova’s apartment unannounced, looking for revenge for Rennett’s death. There was a personal element hinted upon even prior to Rennett’s death, as it’s hinted by Valeria that she also was involved romantically with Damian. Wells does not find Valeria, rather she’s attacked by a resident in the apartment. Right as she’s beating him down on the staircase, demanding answers to Valeria’s location, she’s placed under arrest.

Wells instinctively starts telling the officer she’s working for The White House, when she pulls back. The former Agent recalls handing over her badge to Aaron Shore, she’s no longer protected. In this case, the resident is rendered right in his assertion to call the police. Wells is now simply a civilian involved in a home invasion. Shore does Wells a favor and breaks her out despite no longer working for The White House.

She makes a plea to Shore to see downed Agent Damian Rennett’s last possessions one more time. Despite Shore explaining she’s considered to be under a leave of absence and he can’t do that, he gives in. Shore allows Wells five minutes with Rennett’s possessions which she claims is for closure rather than investigation.

Damian Rennett’s last wishes delivered posthumously

Wells finds a letter Rennett kept about going to their old meeting spot. She goes to the spot, a bench in a park and finds a USB stick enclosed inside the side of the bench. On the USB stick is a posthumous message by Rennett in which he comments that he wishes things had been different between them, and Wells is the only person he trusted.

Rennnett reveals he has a teenage daughter back home without a mother and a father “in the service” who’s now not coming back. Rennett asks Wells to look for his daughter in London before Valeria finds her to “close the loop” for good.

Trey Kirkman and Kendra Daynes have a thing going

Speaking of home invasion, Kendra Daynes’ apartment was turned upside down. Tom Kirkman’s brother Trey had slept with Kendra when she called him back to pick up his wallet. Trey returns to her place to find it smashed up and Daynes a nervous wreck holding a bat. It turns out it’s an old case from a family who received no justice because of a conviction she was involved with.

White House Chief of Staff Emily Rhodes however, is more interested in Trey’s overnight stay at Kendra’s place. Tom tells his brother he rather they not get involved if Trey plans to up and leave her like the rest. However, Trey state she really likes Kendra and she’s part of the reason he wanted to be involved with Alex’s proceedings, so he’d see her. Tom gives his blessing, and at the end of the episode Trey and Kendra agree to go on a weekend date.

Emily Rhodes targeted at her apartment

Kendra realizes what she’s done in her career ruined an entire family. She feels responsible and has no desire to go to her apartment, which now serves as a reminder of her past deeds. Lawful or not. Emily offers to let Kendra sleep on her couch for the night, which she accepts.

When Mike Ritter tells Kendra she has to be under special protection toward Designated Survivor’s episode conclusion, she instantly calls Emily in fear she might be targeted. Her worst fears come to fruition as a sniper shoots at Rhodes’ apartment, though it was unclear if she was hit or not. Rhodes most likely made it.

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President Kirkman’s chess move backfires entirely

On the next Designated Survivor, Ethan West will try to prove that President Kirkman was involved in witness tampering and obstruction of justice involving Cornelius Moss. In Kirkman’s own words in the preview trailer, “My days of service might be done soon.”

Will Tom Kirkman and his administration be able to resolve the upcoming, unavoidable damage by West? Or has Moss already won without a single vote?

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