24: Season 5, Episode 2: Day 5: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Review

Day 5: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Original Airdate: January 15, 2006
Writers: Evan Katz
Director: Jon Cassar

It wasn’t going to be easy to follow one of 24’s best premieres, filled with shocking moments, character development and trademark thrills. Although they couldn’t up the ante as they did and had to rely on some contrivances, this episode is still satisfying enough to overlook or forgive them. Producers, knowing that 24 would premiere in the four hour block this year, wanted to craft a beginning of the season arc to fit this special event. This episode brings us midway, and the hostage situation will close it out. There is clearly a bigger plan in store, but it is unclear at this point, since a hostage situation isn’t close to a presidential assassination.

One part that received decent criticism is that of the people unaware of Jack’s survival, only Audrey seems shocked by it. Edgar is more upset that Chloe kept it a secret from him. It doesn’t seem strange to anyone that this has happened. I don’t know how you would feel if someone you believed to be dead wasn’t, but I would expect a bit more shock.

Although we know that Jack would never harm Palmer, it is logical that he would be a prime suspect to those unaware of the deep history of respect they had. Jack faked his death and lived off the radar for a year and a half and Palmer was one of the people who knew about it. Some could argue that Jack’s alibi, being upstate eating breakfast with witnesses at the time of Palmer’s death, is strong, but it’s against videotape.

It’s fitting that Audrey would point out that Buchanan’s assumption is wrong. Of all the people there, she’s the only one who knew Jack personally. Obviously, her relationship with Jack was tumultuous, at least the last twenty-four hours of it. However, between Jack’s death and the eighteen months since then, she has been able to put what Jack did in perspective. While it was questionable, Jack had to do it for the greater good.

Another important person is Chloe. She the last person who knew who isn’t dead or unconscious right now and when she suspected she was in trouble, she called Jack. She is fiercely loyal, willing to be arrested than turn him in. That still doesn’t mean Chloe isn’t a little nervous about the way he operates. Things around Jack tend to be very dangerous; she just saw him murder the man who killed Palmer. It’s given a lighter treatment during the “he’s good at this” scene, but doesn’t ruin the drama.

Derek’s presence allows us to go over the details of Jack’s life for those who are jumping into the show at this point. Viewers unaware of Jack’s past must have similar reactions to Derek’s. Within two hours, he’s seen the man he’s had a grudge against take out several terrorists, knock out an FBI agent and assume his identity, go to the place swarming with people looking for him and create a diversion so they could escape. He knows that Jack is able to handle a deadly situation like this, but that places him in the terminal when the black truck brigade strike.

Considering how packed the premiere was, this episode allows them time to introduce the big bad (at least for the next couple of hours). Why do these terrorists have enough money to bankroll thugs, weaponry and everything else necessary for their attacks, but they can’t afford some decent lighting? Where are you Nathanson? I think Saunders in season three was the only one who used lighting. Anyway, Nathanson triggers the big moment of the episode, mentioning that the next phase starts within the hour (three guesses as to when that point would be).

One thing overlooked in the premiere review was the return of DB Woodside, mostly because it played a bigger part in this episode. Manny Coto joined the 24 team this season and he is apparently good with continuity (I haven’t seen his prior work). This scene really helps connect what happened to Palmer with someone close to him in his personal life, since Novick is with Logan, Sherry is dead and they never wanted Palmer’s kids on the show again. Although it is a bit far fetched that no one would wonder where Wayne went or have anyone in the study inspecting. Those things are forgivable because the scene is so personal, down to the scene where Jack stares at Palmer’s body and you know he is furious.

It is interesting that of all the things Palmer left as clues to what he knew, all Jack found was a last name and an address. Since we don’t know exactly what he knew, how Palmer found this information is still up to speculation. Considering all Wayne looked at was a paragraph, Palmer may have stashed clues throughout this encrypted document, which would allow Wayne to come back later in the season to clarify some of these vague hints.

Aside from the Russian president riding in on a red herring, it was clear that the black truck brigade was not out to attack him or Logan. Some may wonder how taking a small airport terminal hostage is the next stage if an assassination was the first. This is certainly a worthwhile nitpick, but the terrorists’ threats since season four have been deliberately vague initially. Heller’s kidnapping and “trial” were distractions for the override, this hostage situation is likely similar.

Because he was questioning Chevensky away from the terminal, Jack is now in a “Die Hard” situation. John McClane, the trilogy’s protagonist, is a bit similar to Jack, minus the sense of humor. Though I know the outcome of this crisis, I will say that the writers placed themselves in a difficult position, creatively wise. There will be similarities, but they must proceed with caution not to rip off the original action classic. There is still the personal stakes of having Derek in there, after moments earlier believing he had sent him and Diane to safety.

Logan is still a nitwit, refusing to alert security about any threat. He is obsessed with how this will affect his standings in the public eye. This is certainly true for his character, the same man who let Walt go behind his back and plan an execution. Of course, Martha is the only person who knows what is going on, but she is in a position where no one believes anything she says and Walt is making sure that any points she can connect will be nullified.

It’s time for the cynics to roll their eyes with yet another mole storyline. At this point, I think many devoted fans have accepted spies and traitors as a necessary evil for the show. Character wise, it is fitting that it is Walt, because Logan is clueless about reality and Walt was the one who not so subtly suggested killing Jack and went ahead with the plan after Logan half heartedly dismissed it.

Why would the president’s chief of staff conspire with the Russians? It’s not like some low level employee sold out his/her country for some cash; he must’ve known Logan for years to get to this position. Walt appears to be the ultimate mole. 24 usually doesn’t go far to explain why those who went bad did, the worst offender being Nina, but the emphasis they’ve placed on personal drama this season could change that trend.

This wasn’t as strong as the first hour, but the end was a solid first entry to the season, hitting the ground running and amplifying the personal ramifications of these attacks. There are some instances of lazy writing (like how no one noticed who Jack was at the airport), but the rest of the hour was enjoyable enough to forgive it.

Score: 8/10