Ep 6. The Interrogation

After a bombing at the Capitol kills everyone in the line of succession to the presidency, low-level Cabinet member Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) becomes the designated survivor and is immediately sworn in as President of the United States. In season 1, episode 6 titled "The Interrogation," President Kirkman must navigate a tense situation when an American citizen is detained and interrogated in a foreign country.

The episode begins with President Kirkman receiving news that a U.S. citizen, Jason Atwood (Malik Yoba), has been arrested in the fictional country of Kundu. Atwood, a former CIA agent, is accused of being a spy and involved in the assassination of Kundu's Prime Minister. Kirkman is informed that Atwood is being held in custody without due process and is being subjected to brutal interrogation tactics, including torture.

Kirkman is outraged by the treatment of Atwood, but he is also concerned about the diplomatic implications of the situation. Kundu is a strategically important country, and the United States has an important relationship with its government. If Kirkman speaks out too harshly against Kundu's actions, it could damage the delicate relationship between the two countries.

To make matters worse, the CIA has been less than forthcoming with information about Atwood's activities in the country, and it is unclear whether he is actually guilty of the charges against him. Kirkman decides to send his Chief of Staff, Aaron Shore (Adan Canto), to Kundu to investigate the situation and try to secure Atwood's release.

Meanwhile, at the White House, Kirkman is facing pressure from members of his cabinet who believe he should take a more aggressive stance against Kundu. In particular, Secretary of State Catherine Durant (Patricia Wettig) wants Kirkman to publicly condemn Kundu's actions and threaten economic sanctions if Atwood is not released.

As the situation continues to escalate, Kirkman is forced to make difficult decisions about how to handle the crisis. He must balance his desire to protect American citizens with the need to maintain diplomatic relationships and avoid starting an international incident. At the same time, he is also trying to figure out who was behind the attack that killed the former President and his colleagues, and how to prevent any further attacks on American soil.

"The Interrogation" is a tense episode that highlights the challenges faced by leaders in complex international situations. It showcases the ways in which even well-intentioned decisions can have unintended consequences, and the tough choices that have to be made when dealing with sensitive diplomatic issues. Sutherland delivers a strong performance as President Kirkman, conveying both his outrage at the treatment of Atwood and his frustration at the limitations of his power in the face of foreign governments. Overall, "The Interrogation" is a well-crafted episode that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats and sets up important plot developments for the rest of the season.