Designated Survivor (TV Series)

The Enemy (2016)

Kal Penn: Seth Wright

Quotes 

• Seth Wright : Good evening. Thank you all for, uh, staying so late tonight. I know we've called you in a few times today. Uh, just a reminder, my name is Seth Wright. Uh, earlier tonight, I was named White House press secretary. You were very tough on my predecessor, so I know you're gonna take it easy on me.

  [the press corps laughs] 

  Seth Wright : Uh, to be honest, I didn't want this job. But we live in a time in which we're called upon to serve in ways we didn't anticipate. None of us is perfect. But we do our best because this house is worthy of our best. We trust our instincts as we fight our daily fights. Some we'll win. Some we won't. And some we'll only know in time. But we leave each night hopeful that today's sacrifices have been worth it, that our instincts have not led us astray, and that our best has been good enough.

• Seth Wright : Mr. President, you're here late.

  Tom Kirkman : Well, technically, I live here, so... it appears you're the one who's here late.

• Tom Kirkman : Aaron told me that you turned down the job of press secretary.

  Seth Wright : I did, sir.

  Tom Kirkman : It's a shame. I was the one who offered it.

  Seth Wright : Sir, with all due respect, I felt there were other people far more qualified than I was. Rosemary Jones, for example, has three years experience on Senator Ford's staff...

  Tom Kirkman : Carter had a pretty good resume, too, and look how that turned out. Aaron's motivations were political, but mine were simple. I was just looking for the right person for the job. Today's crisis was racially motivated. Tomorrow's could be gun control, a women's issue. I just wanted to have someone on the podium that I respected. Come on, Seth. Don't make me beg. Can I count on you?

  Seth Wright : It would be my honor, Mr. President.

  Tom Kirkman : Good. 'Cause if you thought today was intense, I'm gonna need you tomorrow.

  Seth Wright : Why? What's going on tomorrow?

  Tom Kirkman : I can't tell you, 'cause it's classified. But I'll let you know when it happens.

• Seth Wright : Hey. Public Engagement said you're headed to Michigan?

  Emily Rhodes : Yeah.

  Seth Wright : Kick Royce's ass for me.

  Emily Rhodes : I'll do my best.

• Aaron Shore : [watching a press briefing]  So, how's it going here?

  Seth Wright : That depends. Does Kirkman want a second term?

• Aaron Shore : [watching the flustered press secretary]  Well, you're gonna have to handle this.

  Seth Wright : Why me?

  Aaron Shore : Because you're in communications, and you can form complete sentences. You're standing next to me, so go fix it.

  Seth Wright : What's the magic word?

  Aaron Shore : Now!

  Seth Wright : Not even close.