Day 5: 12:00 AM – 1:00 AM
Original Airdate: April 17, 2006
Writers: Howard Gordon
Director: Brad Turner
I heard a rumor that one of the many incarnations of the concept for the 24 movie was going to be based on the events of this episode. They certainly could've been rewritten for more closure: Jack could've killed/incapacitated Henderson and secured the tape, making Heller's confrontation of Logan a success. However, what fun would that ending be? Luckily, the pace in this season has been so fast that they now have six more episodes to tackle this subject.
It's good that Jack is getting Wayne help from the ousted Buchanan. He has proven to be an effective ally for Jack's, and being out of CTU/Homeland's loop makes him a great person to take care of Wayne. Where Wayne is headed isn't said, but hopefully he'll survive the bloodbath this season to be president a few seasons down the road. Why he isn't staying around until it's over isn't clear either, but perhaps the gunfight last week made him realize how dangerous it was and decided that Jack was best equipped to avenge his loss.
With Buchanan gone and Audrey in the field with Jack, Chloe was vulnerable to Karen and her slimy toadie Miles, who has been eager to get her since he stepped in the office. The big surprise is Shari playing a significant role in this, even catching Chloe off guard. She doesn't care for Miles, and appreciated Chloe standing up for her. So why would she align herself with them? Perhaps even with the sexual harassment allegation, Shari still felt she was susceptible to Homeland's penchant for filing out pink slips.
Jack would've been proud seeing Chloe sneak out of CTU, from grabbing Miles' key card (after this day all employees should get theirs surgically fused to their bodies) to swiping the CTU laptop. It culminates with her confrontation with Shari, where she utilizes the information she knows about Shari's instability to buy her freedom. While I was apprehensive about Shari's neurosis, it has been utilized in the story.
I am really digging the CTU A-Team of ousted members. It's safe to say that they'll do more for the investigation than Homeland. The idea of the counter conspirators all working covertly is like Jack going rogue to the extreme. Although that dashes the clashes between our heroes and the bureaucratic leaders, the "Us vs. them" dynamic is still there because they aren't far from being detected.
Henderson has topped Gaines as far as best villain is concerned. He is Jack's match: the man who taught him everything he knows about being an agent, including how to get results. Jack would probably be the only other person who would consider severing a person's artery to get what he wants out of someone (granted, Jack would sever a bad guy's artery).
During this scene, it looked like Audrey was going to die. It is rather surprising that Henderson didn't just kill Audrey as soon as he got the evidence, much like he planned to do (and presumably did) to Evelyn. He was shooting at Jack and Audrey stood in between them. Why not finish at least one loose end?
Logan's plan, according to Jack's analysis of the tape, is another example of how well the writers have been making up the story as they go along. It adds to the explanation as to why he insisted on signing the treaty even as the hostage situation was still underway. The treaty helps the "patriots" enact their plan to seize control of oil operations. It's too bad none of Jack's toys include anything that could rip that recording into an MP3 file, but he didn't expect Heller to throat punch him and take control of this operation.
Although we have reason to be outraged at Heller's behavior, he has a good point: Jack's plan is potentially devastating. We know Jack wants to impale Logan with the American flag, but a public outing of this would shake America possibly worse than almost anything we've ever faced. Unfortunately, Heller doesn't allow Jack any opportunity to formulate a back up plan, which costs them their biggest piece against Logan.
That's not to say seeing Heller chew Logan out wasn't a blast to watch: one a man of backbone and true patriotism, the other a spineless weasel using patriotism to justify all the horrible things he's responsible for this day. It's a shame that Mitch Anderson from last season didn't knock off everyone ahead of Heller in line for presidency, but where would the fun in this season be? Heller knocks Logan down several pegs, but not enough for Logan to admit defeat.
The hatred I have for Logan is palpable. Henderson's immaculate timing in getting the recording buys Logan time, and he uses it to turn it against Heller and discredit any thought that he may be hiding something. It comes at a great time, as many of his staff members and Martha are aware that things aren't right for a nation supposedly outside of crisis.
Novick suspects something when the army unit supposedly sent to pick up Bauer is ignorant of any such order. Although he can't peg anything on his boss, Novick knows something is up (how many times do you think he's thought that he betrayed the wrong president?) Even Karen doubts the president with his suspicious reassignment of his special forces to pick up Jack instead of her own, who are far closer. Considering Logan wants Jack arrested for evidence he hasn't given to Karen, she should hopefully act on these suspicions.
Martha is curious, and Logan knows from earlier that can be disastrous, which leads to MIA Aaron, leaving many fans worried. This is especially effective since the show has been ruthless this season. However, I don't think that the worst has happened. Aaron, besides Jack, is the only surviving member of the all 5 seasons club. If Aaron is to die, he deserves an on screen demise. Hopefully Aaron survived and disappeared, only to return at the critical moment when a good guy is about to be killed and save the day.
Logan should've used the Chinese excuse from the onset to get Jack. Now, it seems a little weak considering that Jack has been the lead investigator behind the hunt for the nerve gas. With only a few episodes left, this factor can be a big part to keep the conspiracy from losing steam. Thankfully they haven't forgotten about it, despite not mentioning it most of the season.
With only six episodes left, 24's 5th season hits one of its best episodes of the season. While the major attack may have been averted, the conspiracy and personal stakes are at a personal high. Logan certainly gets the blood boiling, which makes Jack's race to bring him downand save the country, while simultaneously dealing with a major figure in his past, more compelling.
Oh, and that split screen to close the episode was cool.
Score: 9/10
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