24 Debrief: Day 7 | 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Wow, did the writers pull out some of the stops tonight. It’s nothing like previous seasons, but a lot went on tonight that changes the entire complexion of this season, so let’s get started.

Debrief

• So, it seems, as I suspected (see below) Tony is not, in fact, evil. He is working off the grid and deep undercover with Chloe and Bill Buchanan (YAY!). They are all working to stop the CIP Device from getting into the hands of General Juma AND stopping all of the corruption inside the FBI.

• Jack is now undercover with Tony as part of Emerson’s crew. They were in the middle of kidnapping the former Prime Minister of Sangala, who is in the middle of trying to broker an intervention by the US, when they ran up against the unfortunate matter of his panic room.

• President Taylor received a threat from Juma’s second-in-command that they will use the CIP device if troops are not pulled from their positions near Sangala by 1 p.m. (i.e., the end of the next episode).

• Henry Taylor met up again with his son’s ex-girlfriend, Samantha. She told him that Roger was investigating his firm’s finances and found out that they were making several dealings with Sangala. Therefore, she confirmed his suspicions that his death was not a suicide and all part of the cover-up.

Agent Philboy’s Assessment…
These were truly two awesome episodes. “24” kinda feels like normal again, which is great. It had all of the components, including the big twist, in which Chloe and Bill were brought into the fold in an excellent way.

I’m in love with Chloe O’Brien. Flat out. From the second we saw her on screen, I remembered all of the things that make her just amazing. Commenting on how Jack looked on C-SPAN in the middle of this whirlwind of activity was an awesome way to fold her eccentricities back in. Plus, while it wasn’t the face-to-face awkwardness I’m still waiting for, the geek fight between Chloe and Janis’ hacking skills was awesome.

I worry about Chloe a little bit though. She seems hesitant to keep going with the plan as things get deeper and deeper. But, I truly believe, she will not leave with Jack and/or Tony in a lurch somewhere. Her loyalty, to Jack above most of the others, will keep her in this fight for a while. But, it’s something to keep in mind.

I love what they did with the fact that Tony was indeed part of Emerson’s organization at one point. It puts that seed in our heads that Tony could, at any time, switch back to a domestic terrorist and that the scene in the interrogation room was only partially an act.

I feel like President Taylor is the first President since Palmer I who actually struggled with decisions. Every president since the late great David Palmer has been pretty clear in their intentions and, no matter how much they hem and haw, they end up acting the way we expect them too. I like that about her, and it adds so much to the show.

A big chunk of my fears were assuaged with the meet up between Henry Taylor and Samantha. It threw Roger’s death into the big boiling pot of crap that is the Sangala conflict. Plus, are we to suspect Henry’s toddler of a Secret Service Agent in this?

Renee took a big leap in the second episode. Her decisions are going to affect her down the road, which will be great to watch. Plus, Janis in that scene was hilariously awkward.

Everything I Need to Know in Life I Learned from Jack Bauer…
Each week we learn valuable lessons from Jack Bauer. I will share with all of you what the great man taught me this week.

• Aviator sunglasses = instant authority.

• Having a Bluetooth in your ear will not get you ANYTHING from a witness.

• Fire Extinguisher = weapon/battering ram

• People can be brought back to life by Hypothermic Compound, whatever that is.

• You can hot wire a car with the butt of a gun.

• When in doubt, run the car off the end of a parking garage.

• Two hours with Jack will destroy your sense of values.

The Weekly Kill Count = 4; The Total Kill Count = 9

We’re one-sixth of the way through the longest day of Jack Bauer’s life (at least the most recent one)? What are everyone’s thoughts? I love the comments! Keep ‘em coming!

Philboy is GMMR’s resident Dexter and 24 analyst. He spends his days studying Communications at Purdue University and his nights failing at keeping up with all of the TV shows he loves. His can’t miss shows are “24”, “Chuck”, and “Life on Mars”. The thoughts running through his head for this week are, “Where can I find some Hypothermic Compound (just in case)?” and “I REALLY need to watch Damages from last week!”