The Results is the eighth episode of the first season of Designated Survivor and the eighth episode overall.
Summary[]
On the eve of the country voting to elect a new House of Representatives, an unexpected development forces Kirkman to consider cancelling the elections entirely. Meanwhile, news has leaked about Majid Nassar's death, and Kirkman has to handle the fallout.
Synopsis[]
During the press conference, Seth Wright is questioned about Majid Nassar's death, and whether it's the result of enhanced interrogation. Seth denies that any torture was involved. President Tom Kirkman apologizes to a Congresswoman that she's just finding out about this.
Leo Kirkman is confronted by a paparazzo at school, while his bodyguard kicks the intruder out and informs Leo that he doesn't have to dignify their questions with a response.
Jason Atwood is being ordered around by a woman that has his son kidnapped. He forces her to let him speak to his son, and verify that he hasn't been harmed, after which Jason meets the woman with orders involving President Kirkman. He refuses at first but she won't give back his son otherwise. Little does he know, Hannah Wells is watching him through a camera lens, while someone else is watching both of them.
Kirkman and his wife Alex Kirkman are discussing a recent outbreak of bioterrorism, when Leo, who's supposed to be at school, walks in. He confronts them about who his real father is, and when they can't give him an answer that pleases him, he walks off. The phone rings and Kirkman answers it impatiently; it's about the outbreak in Kansas City. It turns out the disease was spread on the polling machines, and Kirkman realizes the obvious implications. He tells his team to do what they can to save the coming election.
As Seth starts leaving, Kirkman calls him back, asking how Leo knew about having a different father. Seth promises to look into it.
Hannah Wells gets a call from her colleague, Chuck, who looked into the Weddle case, per her instructions. She's looking for Jason, but Chuck tells her the Weddle case was closed because of a kidnapping. At hearing this, she instructs Chuck to track Jason; he does so through Jason's car. Hearing the clues he gives her, she concludes Jason's on his way to see the President. Hannah tries to follow Jason but is stopped by security. She calls Jason and leaves a voicemail.
Jason shows up to see Kirkman and delivers the coerced confession to having killed Nassar that the kidnapper ordered him to deliver. Secret service shows up and arrests Jason as he surrenders. After that, Kirkman talks to his counselors, and expresses his absolute skepticism toward Jason's confession. He orders an investigation into Jason's colleagues, and is then summoned to the COC for the ricin case.
Kirkman listens to reports of a suspect arrested in the case. Some say it's safe, but another says the suspect, a Walter Lynch, has his friends, the Liberty Defenders, contaminating other polling stations. The team may need 72 hours to clean the places of the toxin, and the election is tomorrow. Worse news suddenly surfaces: a poll worker, Mindy Hesser, has died.
Seth sees Jared in the White House and tells him never to bother Leo again. He promises to kill the story, but claims he got it from Lisa Jordan herself, much to Seth's surprise.
Back at her office, Hannah searches for the mystery woman holding Jason's son hostage, but her computer yields no results. She gets a call from Chief of Staff Aaron Shore, who wants to discuss Nassar's death.
The President has a staff meeting and informs them that the risk is too great, and plans to call a press conference to cancel the election. His wife interrupts the meeting, and has the results of the paternity test. Kirkman fears to lose Leo. He talks with him and gives him the unopened results, and says he loves him. Leo takes the envelope and leaves to do his homework. Kirkman watches the news and sees a story about the death of Mindy Hesser.
At the press conference, Kirkman expresses the reversal of his decision to cancel the election, inspired by Mindy's example. He urges the American people not to live in fear.
Kirkman calls his counselors to tell them of Jason's confession. He promises an investigation into the matter, in spite of Peter MacLeish's objections.
Seth talks to Lisa Jordan about the story she lied about burying, and his disappointment in her. She insists that she can't be forced to choose between him and exposing the truth.
As Hannah goes to see Aaron Shore, she get a text from an unknown number to tell Aaron nothing. Aaron asks Hannah for any information she can provide about Jason's recent behavior, but she gets cold feet and says nothing.
Hannah calls Chuck to see if he can trace the text message she got. He responds that he can't give her a location, only a phone number.
Leo talks with his bodyguard over the story he's watching, of his dad risking his life by going to the polls. He tells Leo that he, too, never knew his biological father, and that some things are more important than blood relations.
Kirkman and his wife prepare to go to the polling stations. She asks about Leo; Kirkman denies talking to him. He adds that his greatest fear since taking office was what would happen to his family. Alex him that things will be different, now that they're in the public eye for life. Kirkman arrives and is disappointed to find the place practically empty. Later, Kirkman and his wife are at the White House, discussing the immense difficulty of overcoming the challenges they're facing. Leo comes in, and says he accepts Tom as his father, much to Kirkman's joy. As Kirkman is being summoned by Aaron, he first reads the test results.
Kirkman and his staff are watching the news, and it turns out that everywhere else in the country, citizens are unafraid to vote. Also, there are no other cases of poll stations being poisoned; Lynch was acting alone. He asks Aaron about Jason, but there's no results yet. Kirkman turns to Seth, who takes him to see Lisa. He hands her the results, proving he's Leo's dad. Lisa offers to resign, but Kirkman refuses. Seth expresses his disappointment that Lisa took advantage of their friendship.
Hannah Wells calls the number she received. She insists on meeting the mysterious voice in person. The voice on the other end refuses, and simply tells her, "11:14 p.m. Look into it," and hangs up.
Peter MacLeish visits Congresswoman Kimble Hookstraten in her office. He refuses to support the investigation, and she refuses to leave him behind if she takes down the President. Peter meets outside with the conspirator, who's pleased with the success of the coverup. He asks how many more have to be destroyed for his sake. "Just one," she says.
Cast[]
Main Cast[]
- Kiefer Sutherland as Tom Kirkman
- Natascha McElhone as Alex Kirkman
- Adan Canto as Aaron Shore
- Italia Ricci as Emily Rhodes
- LaMonica Garrett as Mike Ritter
- Tanner Buchanan as Leo Kirkman
- Kal Penn as Seth Wright
- Maggie Q as Hannah Wells
Guest Stars[]
Trivia[]
The start of the story is established as being February 6, 9:08pm, with two days having passed since Majid Nassar's death.