When the Capitol building blows up in Washington, DC it takes out the current sitting President, VP, and House of Senate. The only person left to run the country is the Designated Survivor. Every president chooses a civilian that will take over should an act like this happen. On this show it's former professor Tom Kirkman.
Kiefer plays the role like Jack Bauer from "24" before getting into the CIA. Difference is Tom is a devoted dad and husband. Otherwise the similarities are abound...and I'm happy about that. They are both smart and think on their feet. The supporting cast is amazing too. Maggie Q, Malik Yoba, Adan Canto, Italia Ricci, Kal Penn, the list goes on.
What's funny is how a President with no political background takes over the country...sound familiar? Only this President does research, listens to his staff, and looks to history for help EVEN reaching out to former presidents for guidance. I do feel weird how the characters talk to the President. If our current President was talked to like that it'd be major headlines.
The breakout role for me is Kal Penn. He's not the stoner slacker from the famous movies. He's poised, intelligent, and cunning in this show. I would say he deserves a supporting Emmy nod.
Virginia Madsen and Ashley Zukerman are highlights as well. Virginia played the most irritating person on the show who by the end of the season makes you actually value her role as you finally see her agenda. Ashley plays a pawn in a bigger scheme; every scene he's in I couldn't look away...not just cuz he's gorgeous but he commands your attention with his role as VP.
Of course there is a terrorist plot, but unlike 24 this plot could go on for the entirety of the series. The great thing about the show is it's a grown up show written intelligently without being confusing. There isn't bed hopping or over-the-top soap plots. It stays on track being political, and I almost wish 45 would watch for ideas on how to run the country.
I just binged the first season and onto the second. Will be riding this out for the rest of its run...ps President Kirkman is too busy to be on Twitter. In fact the one person to mention Twitter in 22 episodes is the politician nobody likes.