Season 2 also had a major shift in gears. After the Sayed Ali plotline fizzled out, we got word that the mastermind of the day's sorcery was a man named Kingsley. Kingsley was helped out by someone from way early in the season who thought she was doing the country good, but wound up doing great, great harm. Season 6 showed the Abu Fayed plotline (literally) die in front of us, but then we switched gears to the final Big Bad, the evil Cheng. Now who, in this season, thought he was doing the country great good, but was doing great harm? Well, yeah, Graem, but he's dead. And, for now, people stay dead on 24. So the only other person?
One last thing from Season 2 was something known as the Cyprus Recordings. It was a single digital audio recording that had Sayed Ali talking to people from "three middle-eastern countries," conspiring to commit terrorism. Jack Bauer got proof that this was a fake, but conveniently, the other witnesses died and no one believed Jack. So he went rogue to prove his point, and to save LA from the second plotline's threat. Season 6 has Jack getting some doohickey off of a Russian-made suitcase for modified nuclear bombs. Cheng wants the thingimabob. Jack wants to "trade" it, but he won't give it to Cheng, he'll kill him first. No one believes him. Period. So Jack goes rogue. I wonder if Sherry Palmer will come back from the dead to help him?
To recap the episode itself, it was a grand game of telephone. First, we got to see Cheng's demands via the previouslies. Then Jack told Chloe about it. Then Chloe told Morris. Then Chloe told Buchannan during commercial break. Then Buchannan told Doyle. Then Jack told Wayne. Then later, Karen told Daniels. And who says 24 is a hard show to catch up on? They remind you of ONE PLOT a half-dozen times an episode. Eventually, everyone goes along with Jack's plan, but not after every single actor and actress gets to express their doubt. Then Noah Daniels becomes President and cancels that plan. Jack goes rogue. THE END!
Over in Washington, DC, Wayne Palmer finally became fed up with the bunker set. After all, it's hideous! It didn't have the charm of the hotel room in season 1, or the quaintness of the Oregon retreat. It did have a bit more character (and color) than Division, granted. But going from the retro-Casa de Logans to this? It's sucky. So they move back to the Oval Office, which is made to look as bleak as possible. I mean, it's the Oval Office. It should look intimidating or powerful, not boring.
Anyways, Wayne holds a news conference. And you can tell that there's not one journalist in this week's writers room because everyone was civilized. I'm sorry, but after weeks of terrorist attacks, capped by a nuclear attack and a attack on the President's life, then being cut off from everyone for a few hours? I'm sorry, but the press wouldn't sit there like well-behaved school children. They'd be salivating at the mouths, hungry for more details and information. Especially if they get a chance to talk to Wayne. They especially won't just sit there and only let one person raise their hand at a time. And they definitely won't do it SILENTLY, without even a murmur. The press corps murmured on Commander-in-Chief. Shoot, they murmur in many movies. So why does 24 feel exempt from details like this? Why? If they want to be a gutsy show, then hire actors to act like journalists. Stupid show.
Moving on, Wayne gives a press conference and says that everything's fine now. Then he has trouble remembering names and stammers his speech. This is where we get worried he might be having a stroke. But, before he can slur his speech any further, he collapses onto the ground and is rushed to Bethesda, where he's being treated (off-camera) for a massive cerebral hemorrhage. Noah Daniels then can legally become President. And with Lisa Miller, too! (There was also something about him being blackmailed by Wayne to resign, but, whatever. That's a mute point.)
What was good: Minimal Milo moments. And not much Nadia, either. Lots of sniping involving Chloe and Morris. We saw Buchannan come out of his second-story office, which I still don't get why it's decorated like a giant barcode.
What was bad: We spent many episodes debating whether or not Wayne was fit to serve, right? After being in a coma? Then we spent a few episodes dealing with his recovery? Now he's incapacitated, AGAIN. And Noah's President, AGAIN. It's Days of Our Lives: Primetime Edition! Also, was Jack bluffing about that C4? Or did he strap on a suicide bomber vest during a commercial break?
Chloe Moments:
Jack: "Audrey's still alive."
Chloe: (deadpans) "No, she's not."
(while waiting for a while to be sent)
Jack: "Chloe, I don't see anything."
Chloe: "It needs to load before it sends." (Followed by akward silence. I love it!)
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