01E02 - The First Day

It's the day after the bomb blast at the Capitol. The American populace has not been comforted by Tom's initial address, their feeling more about the messenger than the message which Tom realizes. Perhaps the largest microcosm of that feeling is happening in Michigan, where Governor John Royce has basically dismissed Tom's presidency, he doing what he feels he needs to to protect his citizens, his actions legal or not. In his own way, Seth gets a personal taste of Royce's feelings. In the oval office however, those in the know know that Tom still has to make important decisions, they all clamoring for his attention in ensuring that their area of interest and their views make it to the top of his priority list. Tom has to learn who he can or cannot trust for advice, especially when it comes to areas which he has no expertise, most specifically in a legal sense. Information that has made its way to Tom is that Cochrane's view is that they are 75% certain of who the perpetrators are and that Tom needs to take decisive action against those perpetrators, their enemy. Part of that missing 25% may include Hannah's on the ground belief that some key pieces of evidence were planted at the Capitol as red herrings. Her views may or may not make their way to Tom depending on how it gets filtered up the chain of command. One thing that Tom knows he has to do today is make a visit to the bomb site, not as a photo op as some staffers may want, but rather a true measure of support and gratitude to those who have to do the heavy lifting at the site itself. What may also affect what happens this day is the discovery that the Republicans have their own designated survivor. Meanwhile, Tom's family is still adjusting to their new heightened secured life. Alex has to make those public appearances with Tom, leaving Leo largely to hide from Penny the reality that enemies have attacked their way of life.