Ep 10. The Oath

The show Designated Survivor centers around Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland), a low-level cabinet member who becomes president of the United States after a devastating attack on the Capitol during the State of the Union address. Episode 10 of the first season, titled "The Oath," finds President Kirkman grappling with the aftermath of a cyberattack on the country's infrastructure.

The episode opens with a montage of news reports detailing the widespread chaos caused by the cyberattack, which has caused power outages, train derailments, and other disasters across the country. President Kirkman and his advisors are holed up in the Situation Room, trying to figure out how to respond to the crisis. They quickly realize that the attack was carried out by a group of hackers calling themselves the Army of Cyberjustice, who are demanding that the government release all political prisoners and cede control of the internet to the people.

As the crisis deepens, President Kirkman is forced to make some tough decisions. He orders a nationwide blackout in order to prevent further damage to the electrical grid, but realizes that this will mean that hospitals will be unable to operate. He also decides to launch a counter-cyberattack against the Army of Cyberjustice, despite the risks involved.

Meanwhile, Kirkman's personal life is also in turmoil. His wife Alex (Natascha McElhone) is still reeling from the revelation that their son Leo (Tanner Buchanan) was using drugs, and is threatening to leave him. Kirkman's relationship with his speechwriter Seth (Kal Penn) is also strained, as Seth has been revealed to be working for a rival politician.

As the crisis escalates, Kirkman is forced to take the oath of office for a second time, in a moving scene that emphasizes the gravity of the situation. He also makes a public address, appealing to the American people for calm and unity in the face of the crisis.

Overall, "The Oath" is a tense and dramatic episode that explores some of the toughest challenges facing President Kirkman and his administration. It also sets the stage for further conflicts and crises in the remainder of the first season.