Is that Jack Bauer in the White House? No, it's the "Designated Survivor"

Per Wikipedia: Designated Suvivor - In the United States, a designated survivor (or designated successor) is an individual in the presidential line of succession, usually a member of the United States Cabinet, who is arranged to be at a physically distant, secure, and undisclosed location when the President and the country's other top leaders (e.g., Vice President and Cabinet members) are gathered at a single location, such as during State of the Union addresses and presidential inaugurations. This is intended to guarantee continuity of government in the event of a catastrophic occurrence that kills the President and many officials in the presidential line of succession. If such an event would occur, killing both the President and Vice President, the surviving official highest in the line, possibly the designated survivor, would become the Acting President of the United States under the Presidential Succession Act.

Kiefer Sutherland made his return to TV last Wednesday starring in ABC's newest Wednesday night drama, "Designated Survivor." No, he's not reprising another Jack Bauer-like role. On this show, he starts out as a lower-level cabinet member, Tom Kirkman, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.  In the series premiere, he finds himself suddenly promoted to leader of the free world after a massive explosion rocks the United States Capitol Building during the President's State of the Union Address.  (Minor detail, earlier that same day Kirkman was fired by the President or really offered an Ambassador position in Canada.) Both Kirkman and his wife are immediately whisked away to the White House after finding out there were no survivors from the explosion.  Not a moment is wasted as he is sworn in minutes after entering the White House.  Kirkman isn't given any time to change into something more presentable before being sworn in, so he's wearing his Cornell zip-up hoodie as this is happening.  

Overwhelmed would be an understatement in describing how Kirkman is handling everything coming at him.  Apparently the Iranians were trying to make a move by placing its destroyers to block a major channel of oil supply, so that's the first thing he's got to deal with, on top of what seems like almost everyone in the White House feeling as though Kirkman isn't the man for the job.  As one staffer put it, he's a glorified real estate agent.  In the end, Kirkman takes control of the situation giving the Iranian leader a warning.  Of course, doing things his way still doesn't sit well with the General from the Joint Chiefs of Staff Deputy Chairman.

Meanwhile, the FBI has begun their investigation at the bombing site. They find a dud bomb that didn't detonate. Maybe it will shed some light or give some clues to the explosion?  Maggie Q plays FBI Analyst Hannah Wells and she's the first to notice how there isn't much chatter going on around the dark web about any group taking responsibility.  This gives her a bit of pause as she mentions there was a lot of chatter before and after previous incidents.  She suspects that whomever was behind the Capitol bombing isn't done just yet.

Back at the White House, Kirkman preps to give his first address to the nation.  He's got a suit on, after borrowing one from one of the White House staff members.  As he finally sits, he is told to remove his glasses, in order to look more presidential and be the voice they country needs during this horrible time.

Does ABC have a hit on his hands?  Who knows, but I will be tuning in on Wednesday nights.  The series premiere definitely has my attention.