“Wake up the bitch.”
Throughout this episode, we see a Jack Bauer who goes through an emotional journey, starting out more aggressive than usual before denial, hurt, and eventually acceptance seep into his demeanor. Most of the time, he’s been able to pull a rabbit out of a hat and figure out how to solve seemingly impossible problems, but here, he’s helpless as both the President of the United States and a respected colleague walks away to his death.
It’s a wonderful performance by Kiefer Sutherland, as always, and the supporting cast is just as great as the show delves into the psyches of most of its characters. William Devane, Kim Raver, and Tate Donovan all shine here as we explore the various nuances amongst relationships between father, daughter, and husband, and how those relationships can strain and strengthen conflicting ideologies. The President and his daughter share a very touching final scene that feels like the inevitable culmination of the preceding events, and all the interactions throughout carry the weight of the President’s decision.
A sense of inevitability permeates the episode as a result, and the President’s ultimate fate lends weight to his Alzheimer storyline, portraying a man who sacrifices himself for the good of the country and avoids living a lifetime of pain. Of course, the decision itself is pretty darn stupid, and Audrey suggests that his disease may have made him irrational–even if it works–but 24 has always been able to ground some of these story choices in a rudimentary emotional truth.
We see this emotional truth in the actions of Jack Bauer, and we even see the other side to the situation: the revelation that Margot al-Harazi may be willing to play fair. She may be compelling enough, but she hasn’t been a complicated character thus far, and this episode shades in a side to her we haven’t seen before. As we move forward, what Margot al-Harazi will we see? Heller’s held up his end of the bargain; will she hold up hers?
GRADE: A-
OTHER THOUGHTS:
-Things aren’t looking up for Jordan right now. Anyway, I hope this situation brings Kate and Navarro clashing with each other. Kate’s storyline with Simone al-Harazi–albeit a pretty short one–isn’t terribly interesting, even if it may be important in the grand scheme of things.
-Again, I want more Chloe. It’s looking like the show is continuing to develop the Adrian Cross connection, so hopefully that picks up a bit.
–Jack Bauer: Surgeon…coming this fall to FOX.
-Aaron Pierce, where are you?
-No silent clock for Heller. I’m disappointed, writers.
-Of course, that raises the question of whether he’s dead or not. I hope he is, because we’ve seen shows go back on something like this way too many times; his death would be huge moving forward, so here’s hoping the show didn’t cheat us. If this is the end for him, kudos to William Devane.
-Episode #200! It’s a milestone, folks. Four more left.
Photo credit: 24: Live Another Day, FOX
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