Designated Survivor is a political thriller television series that premiered on ABC in 2016. The show follows Tom Kirkman, a lower-level Cabinet member, who becomes the President of the United States after a catastrophic attack kills everyone ahead of him in the presidential line of succession. The concept of a designated survivor is a real thing in the U.S. government, and it comes into play during major events where the top officials are gathered in one place.
The idea of a designated survivor is simple – if all of the top officials in the U.S. government are gathered in one place and a catastrophic event occurs, there neds to be someone who can take over as the President of the United States. This person is chosen ahead of time and is kept physically away from the event to ensure that they are safe in case of an attack.
The concept of a designated survivor has been in place since the Cold War, but it gained more widespread attention after the September 11 attacks. Since then, the practice has been used during major events such as the State of the Union address.
In Designated Survivor, the concept of a designated survivor is taken to a new level as the entire government is wiped out in a devastating attack. Tom Kirkman, played by Kiefer Sutherland, becomes the President and must navigate the political landscape while also dealing with the aftermath of the attack.
The show has been praised for its gripping storyline and strong performances, but it has also been criticized for its unrealistic portrayal of politics. Nevertheless, the show has developed a dedicated fanbase and was saved from cancellation by Netflix after its second season.
While the events of Designated Survivor may be fictional, the concept of a designated survivor is a real thing in the U.S. government. It serves as a necessary precaution to ensure that the country can continue to function in the event of a catastrophic attack. As the show continues to captivate audiences, it serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and continuity of government.
Is ‘Designated Survivor’ a True Story?
Designated Survivor, the popular political thriller series, is indeed based on a true story. The show’s creator, David Guggenheim, drew inspiration from a real-life event that occurred on September 11, 2001. In the wake of the terrorist attacks on that day, the United States government implemented a plan to ensure the continuity of government in the event of a catastrophic event.
The plan involved designating a member of the presidential line of succession to serve as a “designated survivor” during high-profile events, such as the State of the Union address. In the event that a catastrophic event were to occur and wipe out the top levels of government, the designated survivor would be sworn in as president and assume control of the government.
The show takes this concept and runs with it, exploring the ramifications of such an event and the challenges that the designated survivor, played by Kiefer Sutherland, faces in assuming the presidency. The show is a fictionalized account of this scenario, but it is grounded in real-world events and concepts.
In fact, Designated Survivor’s season three showrunner, Neal Baer, took the show’s realism even further by incorporating a plotline based on a true story. The arc, which involves a plot to manipulate the presidential election, is based on the real-life Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Designated Survivor offers a compelling and thought-provoking look at the continuity of government and the challenges that would arise in the event of a catastrophic event. While the show is fictionalized, it is based on real-world events and concepts, making it all the more compelling to watch.
Source: ajc.com
Is ‘Designated Survivor’ a Realistic Show?
The concept of a designated survivor is ideed realistic and is practiced by the U.S. government. A designated survivor is a person chosen to assume the presidency in the event that the President and other high-ranking officials are incapacitated or killed. This practice is put in place to ensure continuity of government and prevent a power vacuum in the event of a catastrophic event.
During major events, such as the State of the Union address, the designated survivor is typically chosen from among the Cabinet members who are not in attendance. This ensures that there is always someone who can assume the presidency in case of emergency.
The practice of having a designated survivor has been in place for many years and has been used on numerous occasions. In fact, during the 9/11 attacks, then-Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman was the designated survivor and was taken to a secure location to assume the presidency in the event that something happened to President George W. Bush.
It’s important to note that the designated survivor is not just a fictional concept portrayed in TV shows and movies, but a real practice that is taken seriously by the U.S. government. It ensures that there is always someone in place to lead the country in the event of a crisis.
Reasons for the Cancellation of ‘Designated Survivor’
Designated Survivor was a popular political drama series that premiered on ABC in 2016. The series revolves around the story of Tom Kirkman, played by Kiefer Sutherland, who becomes the President of the United States after a terrorist attack kills the President and most members of his cabinet. The series was praised for its engaging storylines and strong performances from its cast.
In 2018, the series was cancelled by ABC after two seasons due to declining ratings. However, the series was picked up by Netflix for a third season, whih premiered on June 7, 2019. The third season received mixed reviews from critics and fans, with some praising the show’s continued relevance and others criticizing its departure from its original premise.
In July 2019, Netflix announced that it was cancelling Designated Survivor after the third season. The reason for the cancellation was reportedly due to complications with the actors’ contracts, particularly Kiefer Sutherland, who was also an executive producer on the series. The actors’ contracts were set to expire after the third season, and negotiations for a fourth season proved to be difficult.
Despite its cancellation, Designated Survivor remains a popular series and continues to be streamed on Netflix.
The Purpose of Designated Survivors
Designated survivors are a crucial part of the United States government’s contingency plan in the event of an attack on its leaders. The point of designated survivors is to ensure that there is always someone in the line of presidential succession who is physically removed from any potential danger in case of an attack on a large gathering of high-ranking government officials.
These designated survivors are chosen from members of the president’s cabinet, and their selection is kept secret unil the event in question. They are typically flown to a secure, undisclosed location before the event takes place, and remain there until the event is over.
The purpose of having a designated survivor is to ensure that there is always someone who is capable of assuming the presidency in the event that the entire line of presidential succession is incapacitated. This is especially important during events like the State of the Union address, which are attended by a large number of high-ranking officials, including the president and vice president.
The designated survivor is not just a symbolic role, however. They are given a briefing on national security issues and are prepared to take on the responsibilities of the presidency should the need arise. This includes the ability to command the military, make decisions on foreign policy, and issue executive orders.
The point of designated survivors is to ensure that there is always someone in the line of presidential succession who is physically removed from any potential danger in case of an attack on a large gathering of high-ranking government officials. They are chosen from members of the president’s cabinet, and their role is to assume the presidency in the event that the entire line of succession is incapacitated.
Conclusion
Designated Survivor is a captivating political thriller that has managed to garner a loyal fanbase over the course of its three-season run. It not only sheds light on the real-life practice of having a designated survivor in the government but also delves into the complex world of politics and power struggles. The show’s revival by Netflix was a welcome surprise for fans and allowed for the exploration of an intriguing new arc based on a true story. While its cancellation may have disappointed many, Designated Survivor will always remain a standout series that provided viewers with an engaging and thought-provoking look into the workings of the American government.
