Ep 13. Backfire

The show Designated Survivor is a political drama series about a low-level cabinet member who becomes the President of the United States after an attack on the Capitol kills everyone above him in the Presidential line of succession. In season 1 episode 13, titled "Backfire," President Tom Kirkman (played by Kiefer Sutherland) faces a major crisis as a group of gun owners protest in front of the White House.

The episode begins with President Kirkman waking up to the news that a group of gun owners from Michigan is protesting outside the White House gates. They are angry about the President's proposed gun control measures, which they believe infringe on their Second Amendment rights. The President's staff informs him that the protest is growing and could turn violent at any moment.

The President decides to meet with the protest's leader, a man named Curtis Manning (played by Billy Burke), in an attempt to defuse the situation. Manning is a charismatic and passionate speaker who argues that the right to bear arms is a fundamental part of American liberty. He tells the President that if he tries to take away people's guns, they will fight back with all the force they have.

The President counters that his proposed gun control measures are designed to keep people safe from gun violence, which kills tens of thousands of Americans each year. He argues that it is possible to balance gun rights with public safety, and that his proposals are a reasonable compromise.

Manning refuses to back down, however, and the two men end up in a tense standoff. Meanwhile, the White House staff is scrambling to prevent the protest from turning violent. They bring in extra security and prepare for the worst.

As the day wears on, tensions escalate and it becomes clear that the situation is spiraling out of control. The President's advisers urge him to take decisive action, but he is reluctant to use force against American citizens. He knows that any violent incident could result in even more protests and deepen the country's political divides.

In the end, the President makes a difficult choice that involves tough compromises on both sides. He manages to avoid a violent confrontation and finds a way to move forward on gun control measures that protects both the Second Amendment and public safety.

Overall, Designated Survivor season 1 episode 13 "Backfire" is a tense and emotional episode that explores some of the most divisive issues in American politics. It raises important questions about the balance between individual rights and public safety, and shows how difficult it can be to find a way forward in a polarized and divided society.