Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 20: Bad Reception Review

If you would like to read my review of last week’s episode, click here.

Synopsis: President Kirkman negotiates with a foreign government to release an American being held overseas, while attorney Ethan West’s investigation continues. (IMDB)

Writers: Tom Garrigus and Jessica Grasl

Director: Chris Grismer

Rating: TV-14

Running Time: 45mins

Airs: Wednesdays at 10pm on CTV (Canada)/ABC (United States)

The hacker was revealed but Wells is still out for blood.

The episode started with Tom schmoozing at a reception. Meanwhile, he met the ambassador of Bultan to negotiate the release of an American citizen named Matthew Jennings (Gage Munroe). Kendra convinced one of her old bosses to accept an appointment to the Washington D.C. circuit court.

West just happened to be working for Jennings’ family. Wells met with Minter to help her get information about Frost. West implied to the ambassador that he was speaking on Tom’s behalf while offering concessions in exchange for Jennings’ release. When Emily and Aaron went to speak to the Bultani ambassador, he passed out and later died. He was poisoned. With Wells gone, Chuck got a larger role. He and Mike investigated the ambassador’s death. He lived a lavish lifestyle which put him in debt

Tom promised Jennings’ mother that he would do anything in his power to bring her son home. Jennings was sentenced to 20 years in prison and when he spoke to the prime minister, he wanted oil in exchange for Jennings. Tom spoke with Jennings who did not want to be used for blackmail. Meanwhile, the ambassador was in litigation with another company about his farm and he was also poisoned with ricin prior to the reception. Mike and Chuck easily found the poisoner.

West ruined a potential deal for Jennings. He had a relationship with the boy’s aunt who he felt guilty for her murder. When threatened with litigation by West because of their environmental record, the Bultani prime minster relented and allowed Jennings’ release.

Kendra’s boss had a clean background check except for one minor indiscretion. Seth knew a woman who accused him of sexual discrimination. She didn’t pursue it because she didn’t have proof. She had since moved on and everyone else was okay with him. Unfortunately, he still showed a wandering eye. When she finally saw him for who he was, she pulled the appointment.

Wells entered Dr. Frost’s house while Minter took her to lunch. She found a false wall that lead to a server room. Chuck found the source code for the hack. He thought they had enough but Wells wanted more all as Dr. Frost was coming back. Wells got away in time. Tom called in Minter about his earlier meeting with Wells. He confronted him about the bug that was found in the model car he gave him. Minter wanted to be left alone by the government. Tom revealed that Wells’ firing was staged and she was really in Minter’s house after she planted the bait by mentioning Dr. Frost.

Dr. Frost consoled Tom about losing one of his best friends. He was also about to lose another when she told him that she was moving to San Francisco. They were hopeful that they would each find room in their hearts for other people after losing each of their significant others.

Chuck found evidence of a large payment made by Minter to a shell company after Rennett’s death. Minter hired Rennett’s Russian handler to kill Wells but she killed Rennett instead. Aaron didn’t want Wells to go further, however, it was something she had to do, even if it meant not working for the White House.

Overall, this was a great episode that finally laid the hacker subplot to rest in an unexpected way with Minter, not Dr. Frost, being the guilty party. It was surprising because it came out of nowhere as there was no inkling whatsoever that he had a problem with Tom so his betrayal did not have the impact that it could have had after leaning heavily towards Dr. Frost up until the reveal. The main plot of the episode and the other subplots were inconsequential but they found a way to include West which was nice and give Kendra some character development. Michael J. Fox has been a great addition so far so hopefully he will stay for a while.

Score: 9/10

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.