Ep 9. Three-Letter Day

As the second season unfolds, Designated Survivor continues to impress with its complex political storylines and gripping drama. In episode 9, titled "Three-Letter Day," tensions ride high as President Kirkman continues to navigate the treacherous waters of international relations and domestic politics.

The episode kicks off with a glimpse at what promising to be a massive crisis: a U.S. drone has gone down in enemy territory, and the government is scrambling to retrieve it before any classified information falls into the wrong hands. President Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) takes charge, rallying his advisors and meeting with foreign leaders to try and mitigate the damage.

But as the situation worsens, he finds himself pulled in several different directions. On one hand, he's trying to negotiate with a foreign power that's holding the drone hostage, while also facing down members of his own administration who are gung-ho about launching a military strike.

Meanwhile, several other subplots are simmering away. Hannah Wells (Maggie Q) is still doggedly pursuing the conspiracy that led to the Capitol bombing, and she's getting closer and closer to the truth. She teams up with an old colleague to piece together some critical information, but they soon realize that they're being followed. Is someone trying to stop them from uncovering the conspiracy?

Elsewhere, Emily Rhodes (Italia Ricci) is juggling her duties as the White House Chief of Staff with some personal drama. Her mother is in town, and she's dealing with some deep-seated resentments and unresolved issues. Emily tries to balance her work and family obligations, but she finds herself increasingly frazzled as the episode goes on.

Designated Survivor continues to impress in this episode, with sharp writing and engrossing performances from the cast. Kiefer Sutherland once again shines in his role as President Kirkman, showing both his steely resolve and his vulnerability as a leader. The scene where he meets with the international diplomats is particularly impressive, showcasing Sutherland's ability to balance gravitas with emotion.

Maggie Q also elevates the material in her scenes as Hannah, bringing a fierce intensity and intelligence to the character. The conspiracy subplot is intriguing and well-handled, adding an extra layer of tension to an already tense show.

Italia Ricci is also a standout, imbuing her character with depth and complexity. We see her struggling to balance her work and family duties, all while grappling with some deep-seated issues surrounding her relationship with her mother. It's an interesting subplot that adds more texture to the show's already engaging world.

As the episode moves towards its climactic moments, the tension continues to ratchet up. Will President Kirkman be able to avert a crisis and retrieve the drone before it's too late? Will Hannah Wells get closer to the truth about the conspiracy? And will Emily Rhodes be able to resolve her family drama and maintain her ability to lead?

Overall, "Three-Letter Day" is a strong episode of Designated Survivor that delivers on the show's promise of political intrigue and human drama. With standout performances and complex storylines, this episode is sure to keep viewers hooked and eager for more.