Thank God I've never had an hour like Jack Bauer's--or even five minutes! Hour 6 was another whiz-bang adventure in which the baddies finally showed their hand, Jack proved to Renee he's on the right side, and Chloe and Bill arrive to save the day. My favorite part of the episode, though, had to be
when the preparations were being made to frame and murder the president's husband. His paralysis was terrifying, and the way the camera showed him slowly regaining strength in his hands created a greal deal of suspense. Great stuff! Since all this is hidden by the spoiler screen, I might as well add that a weakness in the episode was the fact that two airliners colliding over Washington didn't create more panic in the streets: things seem to go on as they would on any other day. But that's a small complaint.
Another thing I'm enjoying is that Tony is being treated complexly--he doesn't turn his loyalties on a dime, and it's clear he's ripped by the choice he has to make between Jack and the guy who gave his life new meaning. Last, the best line came after Jack asks how Agent Red-hot Red-head is doing: "How do you think, Jack? You just shot me and buried me alive!" You have to think Jack loses more women that way!
Looking forward to Hour Seven. . .
Vox clamantis in deserto
Mr MartiniThat nice house in the sky.Posts: 2,703MI6 Agent
Thank God I've never had an hour like Jack Bauer's--or even five minutes! Hour 6 was another whiz-bang adventure in which the baddies finally showed their hand, Jack proved to Renee he's on the right side, and Chloe and Bill arrive to save the day. My favorite part of the episode, though, had to be
when the preparations were being made to frame and murder the president's husband. His paralysis was terrifying, and the way the camera showed him slowly regaining strength in his hands created a greal deal of suspense. Great stuff! Since all this is hidden by the spoiler screen, I might as well add that a weakness in the episode was the fact that two airliners colliding over Washington didn't create more panic in the streets: things seem to go on as they would on any other day. But that's a small complaint.
Another thing I'm enjoying is that Tony is being treated complexly--he doesn't turn his loyalties on a dime, and it's clear he's ripped by the choice he has to make between Jack and the guy who gave his life new meaning. Last, the best line came after Jack asks how Agent Red-hot Red-head is doing: "How do you think, Jack? You just shot me and buried me alive!" You have to think Jack loses more women that way!
Looking forward to Hour Seven. . .
I agree with the spoiler HB. Heck, I thought it would turn out differently than it did. I'm curious how that whole situation will be resolved. It's a nice little subplot that I don't remember seeing before. Looks like next week we may be in for something big. Should make for an intersting hour.
Some people would complain even if you hang them with a new rope
Ahhh, this is what 24 does best--a commando raid on the baddies' hideout (which turns out to be in a normal office building--good touch!), complete with Chloe following everything on her computer while simultaneously a horrible chemical breach threatens to destroy an entire Ohio town. And it all ends with a cliffhanger. Gawd, I love this show!
Unfortunately, the Fox Network had a major glitch in my area that ruined things for me. During the commercial break that happened after 2:39, the screen froze and stayed frozen for ten minutes. What I apparently missed was that
the President's husband was kidnapped by Colonel Whatzisface's men; but who the kidnapper was I don't know. Is he with the FBI? I suspect that Renee's FBI chief admirer is the traitor, since he was looking at a picture of Sam on his computer.
Here's looking forward to Hour Eight. Provided I can see it! X-(
Vox clamantis in deserto
Mr MartiniThat nice house in the sky.Posts: 2,703MI6 Agent
Ahhh, this is what 24 does best--a commando raid on the baddies' hideout (which turns out to be in a normal office building--good touch!), complete with Chloe following everything on her computer while simultaneously a horrible chemical breach threatens to destroy an entire Ohio town. And it all ends with a cliffhanger. Gawd, I love this show!
Unfortunately, the Fox Network had a major glitch in my area that ruined things for me. During the commercial break that happened after 2:39, the screen froze and stayed frozen for ten minutes. What I apparently missed was that
the President's husband was kidnapped by Colonel Whatzisface's men; but who the kidnapper was I don't know. Is he with the FBI? I suspect that Renee's FBI chief admirer is the traitor, since he was looking at a picture of Sam on his computer.
Here's looking forward to Hour Eight. Provided I can see it! X-(
The only way to respond to this is in spoiler mode. Sorry.
First, Mr. Moss (head of FBI) has always had a crush on Renee, so that may explain why he was looking at a picture of her on his comp. Of course, this is 24, it wouldn't surprise me if he turn out to be a traitor.
As for Henry Taylors kidnapper. I thinks he's a secret service agent. Same type of agent that was with Henry and was finally killed when they fell off the baclony.
Some people would complain even if you hang them with a new rope
Wowie zowie--what a great episode! Perhaps the best hour in what I think is the best season since Arnold Vosloo scowled around L.A. As always, the simple premises work best: the team has an hour to find the "First Gentleman" or he'll be put out of commission. This causes Jack to do what he does best--orchestrate a car crash, kill a man in hand-to-hand combat, and steal a car--in order to reach his goal. It's also fascinating to see how Agent Walker ( :x ) is alternately seduced into the kind of violence Jack advocates and horrified by it. The ideology of the producers is most evident when Moss tells Jack that it's "the rules" that put us above the rest, and Jack replies, "Not today." And of course there are also the soap opera elements, with President Taylor torn between loyalty to her husband and her duty as Commander in Chief, and Colonel Deep-Voice's waitress girlfriend who is oblivious to the truth that her disabled sister can easily see. Gawd, I love this show--can't wait to see what comes next!
Great episode! Like Hardyboy said it's probably the best episode of the season yet! I love how they show Jack progressively getting more and more out of control. Though I hate these cliffhanger endings each week! HURRY UP!!! X-(
Mr MartiniThat nice house in the sky.Posts: 2,703MI6 Agent
I love how the show was a race against the clock. Not sure what else to think. Mondays show promises to reveal who the traitor is. Is it Monday yet?
Some people would complain even if you hang them with a new rope
Hugo DraxLeeds, United Kingdom.Posts: 210MI6 Agent
I loved this week's episode. It was the best in the series so far. Will the First Gentleman live? Will Agent Walker ever be able to look in the mirror again? Will President Taylor flinch in her resistance to the terrorists' demands? Roll on next week. Oh and Agent Walker is indeed mucha buenisima. {:)
Good to see 24 back on track after the lunacy of season 6. One question, what are the chances of the wheelchair-bound sister bitch-slapping the African warlord? I think she might just take him.
Mr MartiniThat nice house in the sky.Posts: 2,703MI6 Agent
Good to see 24 back on track after the lunacy of season 6. One question, what are the chances of the wheelchair-bound sister bitch-slapping the African warlord? I think she might just take him.
I have a feeling the wheelchair bound sister is going to get into it with the Warlord, but the warlord will either kill the sister, or kidnap her to. And then the girlfriend will find out what the warlord did and probably kill him herself (think back to season 2 when the wife of the ctu agent killed the main villian).
Some people would complain even if you hang them with a new rope
Well, after the slam-bang excellence of last week, this hour was a bit of a breather. In fact, it was sort of like a soap opera. Cue dramatic music: Will the president be reunited with her long-lost daughter before her husband expires on the operating table? Can the pretty waitress and her disabled sister be reconciled before the African warlord comes calling for his girlfriend? Will Jack and Renee finally reveal their love for each other?
I kid, and actually I'm not complaining: the soap-opera elements are as much a part of 24 as are the shoot-outs, the tortures, and the inevitable moles. (OK, one complaint: did they have to again send someone into the clutches of the Colonel while tracing that person's movements? I wouldn't care that they pulled the same trick as they did before--but they JUST DID IT with the deposed president!) Otherwise, the big news was that we finally got to see the mole, and it turned out who I thought it would be--though the producers did a nice job of luring us into thinking it was someone else; and there was one moment that made me want to burst into a cheer:
Aaron Pierce is back!!
I was also pleased to see the return of Chloe's husband, Miles, except his one scene served no other purpose than to advertise the car he was driving. Aren't the scheduled commercial breaks enough?
Until the next hour. . .
Vox clamantis in deserto
Mr MartiniThat nice house in the sky.Posts: 2,703MI6 Agent
and there was one moment that made me want to burst into a cheer:
Aaron Pierce is back!!
You weren't the only one cheering HB. Let's hope he's in future episodes. Now, if they could just bring back Mike Novick somehow. Hmmmmmmmm.....
Anyway, I really enjoyed this episode. While it wasn't action packed, you we're drawn in by the human aspect. I think Jack learned a small lesson in this hour. To torture someone, doesn't always mean tying them up and threating bodily harm. The "pretty waitress" seemed hurt by what she was shown, and it got her to talk. Way to go Jack and "Red" ( :x ) . As for the traitor, bravo to the writers for putting him into a "grey area" of traitor. Yes, he compromised a mission, but he also has the knowledge of where Ike (Samuel) Dubaku is and can use that to help the FBI find him. Hopefully Sean (The Traitor) will use the knowledge to help the FBI and Jack find Ike and rescue the pretty waitress. I wonder something though, in true 24 tradition the show takes a big turn around the 12th hour and uncovers a bigger plot. I wonder what the (or if) bigger plot is. Only time will tell.
Some people would complain even if you hang them with a new rope
I read a somewhat snarky review in my morning paper that this season of 24 was starting to look like earlier seasons. I'm not sure how seriously to take it, since the reviewer flat out said that the traitor is
Janis,
when we all know that it's actually
Sean!
But, anyway, sure, 24 goes to the same well very often--in tonight's episode we got the bad guy who is critically wounded and has to be rushed off to surgery--but the more I think about it, the more I realize carping like this is pointless. It's like complaining that on Star Trek Scotty is going to perform miracle last-minute repairs on the Enterprise that save the day, or that on I Love Lucy Lucy's going to do something after Desi has ordered her not to. 24 does what 24 does; it's as simple as that.
Now that I've finished my rant--WOW! This latest hour got off to the best start imaginable, with a car crash, Dubaku brought to heel, and a death that has major consequences for one of the major players. It's all great stuff, followed by the outing of the mole and the expected "big twist" that's going to move the plot in another direction. Next week's episode is a two-hour-long installment that promises something big and shocking, and 24 usually manages to deliver at the halfway point. What I'm wondering, though, is
when is Jon Voigt going to show up? The 24: Redemption movie established him as a presence, possibly as the main villain of the piece.
Waiting on pins and needles 'til next week. . .
Vox clamantis in deserto
Mr MartiniThat nice house in the sky.Posts: 2,703MI6 Agent
Now that I've finished my rant--WOW! This latest hour got off to the best start imaginable, with a car crash, Dubaku brought to heel, and a death that has major consequences for one of the major players. It's all great stuff, followed by the outing of the mole and the expected "big twist" that's going to move the plot in another direction. Next week's episode is a two-hour-long installment that promises something big and shocking, and 24 usually manages to deliver at the halfway point. What I'm wondering, though, is
when is Jon Voigt going to show up? The 24: Redemption movie established him as a presence, possibly as the main villain of the piece.
Waiting on pins and needles 'til next week. . .
What a show. Great review Hardy, I can never top the great reviews you write.
Some people would complain even if you hang them with a new rope
Today at work I mentioned that I watch 24, and since most of my colleagues are to the left of the left--mine's a pretty liberal profession--they seemed surprised that I like such a conservative show. But, y' know, I think one thing I like about 24 is that it takes its politics seriously. The message is never "conservative good, liberal bad;" it's always "this is what we believe, this is why we believe it, this is what we should be willing to sacrifice for what we believe, and these are the consequences you pay when you believe this and commit to it." The program isn't afraid to show that conservatism isn't easy--in fact it can be a hard choice, one with ugly consequences. Hence, Jack Bauer, so beloved by conservatives, is himself someone who has lost everyone he loves, who can really trust no one, and who is hated and reviled by the people he has sworn himself to protect. Jack Bauer could be the first secret agent modeled on the teachings of Ayn Rand.
That said, today's two-hour mega-blockbuster extravaganza again put its politics on the table, with Jack not even letting his being in the freakin' White House stop him from capturing and torturing a suspected traitor. Two things came to mind: only Jack Bauer would be so dedicated to the cause--and so mindless of his own future and security--to do this; and it reminded me weirdly of John Lennon's boast that the Beatles smoked pot in Buckingham Palace when they were there to receive their CBEs. There's something perversely amusing about so much mayhem going on in the seat of government.
Anyway, tonight's double-ep was 24 at its most absurd--possibly even more loony than bringing Jack back to life way back in season 2 or 3--with a group of commandos from a backwater African country, led by their own president no less, infiltrating the White House and taking it over. This couldn't happen in a million years, but, dammit, the producers, writers, and actors believe in this material, and so I bought it hook, line, and sinker. Just incredible stuff, with Jack, Bill, Aaron Pierce, and Chloe all sidelined right when their skills are most needed (and it's a wonder Chloe and Janis together didn't create some kind of implosion of snarkiness); and with a series of excellent cat-and-mouse chases to get the info that will save the day out in time. If I wasn't in love with Annie Wersching's Renee Walker before, I am now, after seeing her play Lois Lane and tail Juma's boat, lead Dubaku's son in a chase, and engage in some serious tail-kicking. Plus, we got to see her wet! :x
I have to say this: I have no idea how this particular problem is going to be resolved. The 24 people have painted themselves into a tight little corner and I for one can't wait to see how they'll get out of it!
The program isn't afraid to show that conservatism isn't easy--in fact it can be a hard choice, one with ugly consequences.
Funny, after seeing the results of not letting Jack complete his torture I thought liberalism isn't easy--in fact it can be a hard choice, one with ugly consequences.
"A blunt instrument wielded by a Government department. Hard, ruthless, sardonic, fatalistic. He likes gambling, golf, fast motor cars. All his movements are relaxed and economical". Ian Fleming
Hugo DraxLeeds, United Kingdom.Posts: 210MI6 Agent
Today at work I mentioned that I watch 24, and since most of my colleagues are to the left of the left--mine's a pretty liberal profession--they seemed surprised that I like such a conservative show. But, y' know, I think one thing I like about 24 is that it takes its politics seriously. The message is never "conservative good, liberal bad;" it's always "this is what we believe, this is why we believe it, this is what we should be willing to sacrifice for what we believe, and these are the consequences you pay when you believe this and commit to it." The program isn't afraid to show that conservatism isn't easy--in fact it can be a hard choice, one with ugly consequences. Hence, Jack Bauer, so beloved by conservatives, is himself someone who has lost everyone he loves, who can really trust no one, and who is hated and reviled by the people he has sworn himself to protect. Jack Bauer could be the first secret agent modeled on the teachings of Ayn Rand.
It's an interesting point. As someone who would define themselves as a liberal, I watch 24 and find it difficult not to support Jack Bauer's methods of interrogation. Torture as an issue is much more complicated than as it appears in 24; for a start, everyone who Jack tortures happens to tell him the correct information!
Anyway, away from the politics, these two episodes gripped me. As HB has said, the idea of a band of African mercenaries making it into the White House is simply absurd. Nevertheless, it was a great soap-opera. I sat and cursed Janis for her meddling, cheered Agent Walker kicking ass, and had feelings of dread as I watched President Taylor emerge from the lock-down. I think that this season of 24 is the best one we've seen for a good few seasons. I'm actually taking to these characters in the same way I took to Nina Myers, David Palmer and hers. Moreover, I think that Agent Renée Walker and President Allison Taylor are two of the best female characters we have had for a while. Walker has the full repertoire: brains, beauty, bravery, while I've found it interesting to watch President Taylor's high idealism being called into question (I think Cherry Jones plays her brillantly incidentally).
As HB said, we are at the halfway point, and I can't see where this is going. Something tells me the Vice-President may be less than trustworthy. Apparently, he does not want the president's death on his conscience. But I thought it was a really bad call, and would have been even if we didn't know where she was. The way I saw it (from an angle that may have been completely distorted), if Juma did not have the President, they should go in. If he did have the President, then what good is time going to do? Her life would be in jeopardy anyway, and what did they think they could give Juma for the life of the President of the United States? That whole element of it was a bit suspect in my eyes.
Anyway, roll on ep 13!
Mr MartiniThat nice house in the sky.Posts: 2,703MI6 Agent
All i can say is, how will Jack get out of this one? Held hostage by a madman who isn't afraid to kill someone if they blink wrong. I'd like to see all the hostages band together, overtake the group of terrorist, and mow them down with their own weapons. They may be little too violent for regular tv. Oh well, well see how it goes.
Some people would complain even if you hang them with a new rope
Well, they got Jack out of that mess, but at what cost? Alas, it always seems that you should never get too attached to any 24 character!
Anyhoo, a good episode, and I liked the "out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire" approach that was used. Still, it seemed most of the time was spent showing how obtuse the government can be, with the Vice President especially becoming the symbol of bureaucratic fecklessness this time out. And I'm not sure what to make of Larry Moss: as soon as I start to like him and think he's doing a bang-up job, he becomes a petty jerk who's on the verge of bungling the operation. And as for Jon Voigt's role--well, maybe the producers aren't as gleefully conservative as I thought!
I thought it was very clever the way that they got free of the hostages but I hated to see the cost.:'(
I was surprised by how quickly they turned Jack into a fugitive again. You would think by now he would be able to get a little cooperation.
What a great show. I can't wait for next week.
"A blunt instrument wielded by a Government department. Hard, ruthless, sardonic, fatalistic. He likes gambling, golf, fast motor cars. All his movements are relaxed and economical". Ian Fleming
Mr MartiniThat nice house in the sky.Posts: 2,703MI6 Agent
Wooooo Hooooo Aaron Pierce blowing people away with a machine gun. Man, Aaron rocks. On the down side, it was sad to see Bill Buchanan die. He did die a hero though, so it did give his character justice. Now, maybe I missed something, but how does Jonas Hodges have access to everything that goes on in the White House? He has everyone who checked in and checked out, blueprints etc.....
Some people would complain even if you hang them with a new rope
Now, maybe I missed something, but how does Jonas Hodges have access to everything that goes on in the White House? He has everyone who checked in and checked out, blueprints etc.....
I wondered about that too. I thought it was a weak point that they used that to find the presidents daughter. I also wondered why after sweeping the White House they assumed she was still there. It seems like the logical conclusion would have been that she had somehow slipped out. It seems doubtful that they were able to round up everyone without some people slipping away.
"A blunt instrument wielded by a Government department. Hard, ruthless, sardonic, fatalistic. He likes gambling, golf, fast motor cars. All his movements are relaxed and economical". Ian Fleming
Hmmm, I think the producers turned this episode over to their liberal writers--the evil organization in question, "Starkwood," is clearly modeled after Blackwater, a bete noire for the left; and Senator Mayer is given a lot of time to tell Jack that he's been victimized by bad government policies and that he should finally trust the institutions he has pledged himself to protect. That's equal time for ya!
This was one of the White House soap opera episodes, with more on the mechinations of government and less on shoot-'em-up, punch-'em-up action. That said, it's another good episode, with some solid character development (interesting how the actress playing the President's daughter actually looks something like her--and I think she's got more goin' on with Ethan Canin than Aaron Pierce) and a very welcome appearance by Morris O'Brien. But it wasn't all talk and intrigue--just when it looked like things might get better for Jack, he's right back into the schitt, with a shock twist and a dynamic fight scene. There's ten more hours to go, and I for one can't wait for 'em!
Comments
Looking forward to Hour Seven. . .
I agree with the spoiler HB. Heck, I thought it would turn out differently than it did. I'm curious how that whole situation will be resolved. It's a nice little subplot that I don't remember seeing before. Looks like next week we may be in for something big. Should make for an intersting hour.
Unfortunately, the Fox Network had a major glitch in my area that ruined things for me. During the commercial break that happened after 2:39, the screen froze and stayed frozen for ten minutes. What I apparently missed was that
Here's looking forward to Hour Eight. Provided I can see it! X-(
The only way to respond to this is in spoiler mode. Sorry.
As for Henry Taylors kidnapper. I thinks he's a secret service agent. Same type of agent that was with Henry and was finally killed when they fell off the baclony.
Wow, we're getting as secretive as the feds in this thread!
I have a feeling the wheelchair bound sister is going to get into it with the Warlord, but the warlord will either kill the sister, or kidnap her to. And then the girlfriend will find out what the warlord did and probably kill him herself (think back to season 2 when the wife of the ctu agent killed the main villian).
Try this:
http://www.fox.com/fod/play.php?sh=twentyfour&src=menu_item_full_episodes
Thanks but you can only watch from that site if you are based in the US.
I live in Birminghamm, west Midlands, UK not Birmingham Alabama !
I kid, and actually I'm not complaining: the soap-opera elements are as much a part of 24 as are the shoot-outs, the tortures, and the inevitable moles. (OK, one complaint: did they have to again send someone into the clutches of the Colonel while tracing that person's movements? I wouldn't care that they pulled the same trick as they did before--but they JUST DID IT with the deposed president!) Otherwise, the big news was that we finally got to see the mole, and it turned out who I thought it would be--though the producers did a nice job of luring us into thinking it was someone else; and there was one moment that made me want to burst into a cheer:
Aaron Pierce is back!!
I was also pleased to see the return of Chloe's husband, Miles, except his one scene served no other purpose than to advertise the car he was driving. Aren't the scheduled commercial breaks enough?
Until the next hour. . .
You weren't the only one cheering HB. Let's hope he's in future episodes. Now, if they could just bring back Mike Novick somehow. Hmmmmmmmm.....
Anyway, I really enjoyed this episode. While it wasn't action packed, you we're drawn in by the human aspect. I think Jack learned a small lesson in this hour. To torture someone, doesn't always mean tying them up and threating bodily harm. The "pretty waitress" seemed hurt by what she was shown, and it got her to talk. Way to go Jack and "Red" ( :x ) . As for the traitor, bravo to the writers for putting him into a "grey area" of traitor. Yes, he compromised a mission, but he also has the knowledge of where Ike (Samuel) Dubaku is and can use that to help the FBI find him. Hopefully Sean (The Traitor) will use the knowledge to help the FBI and Jack find Ike and rescue the pretty waitress. I wonder something though, in true 24 tradition the show takes a big turn around the 12th hour and uncovers a bigger plot. I wonder what the (or if) bigger plot is. Only time will tell.
Now that I've finished my rant--WOW! This latest hour got off to the best start imaginable, with a car crash, Dubaku brought to heel, and a death that has major consequences for one of the major players. It's all great stuff, followed by the outing of the mole and the expected "big twist" that's going to move the plot in another direction. Next week's episode is a two-hour-long installment that promises something big and shocking, and 24 usually manages to deliver at the halfway point. What I'm wondering, though, is
Waiting on pins and needles 'til next week. . .
What a show. Great review Hardy, I can never top the great reviews you write.
That said, today's two-hour mega-blockbuster extravaganza again put its politics on the table, with Jack not even letting his being in the freakin' White House stop him from capturing and torturing a suspected traitor. Two things came to mind: only Jack Bauer would be so dedicated to the cause--and so mindless of his own future and security--to do this; and it reminded me weirdly of John Lennon's boast that the Beatles smoked pot in Buckingham Palace when they were there to receive their CBEs. There's something perversely amusing about so much mayhem going on in the seat of government.
Anyway, tonight's double-ep was 24 at its most absurd--possibly even more loony than bringing Jack back to life way back in season 2 or 3--with a group of commandos from a backwater African country, led by their own president no less, infiltrating the White House and taking it over. This couldn't happen in a million years, but, dammit, the producers, writers, and actors believe in this material, and so I bought it hook, line, and sinker. Just incredible stuff, with Jack, Bill, Aaron Pierce, and Chloe all sidelined right when their skills are most needed (and it's a wonder Chloe and Janis together didn't create some kind of implosion of snarkiness); and with a series of excellent cat-and-mouse chases to get the info that will save the day out in time. If I wasn't in love with Annie Wersching's Renee Walker before, I am now, after seeing her play Lois Lane and tail Juma's boat, lead Dubaku's son in a chase, and engage in some serious tail-kicking. Plus, we got to see her wet! :x
I have to say this: I have no idea how this particular problem is going to be resolved. The 24 people have painted themselves into a tight little corner and I for one can't wait to see how they'll get out of it!
Funny, after seeing the results of not letting Jack complete his torture I thought liberalism isn't easy--in fact it can be a hard choice, one with ugly consequences.
It's an interesting point. As someone who would define themselves as a liberal, I watch 24 and find it difficult not to support Jack Bauer's methods of interrogation. Torture as an issue is much more complicated than as it appears in 24; for a start, everyone who Jack tortures happens to tell him the correct information!
Anyway, away from the politics, these two episodes gripped me. As HB has said, the idea of a band of African mercenaries making it into the White House is simply absurd. Nevertheless, it was a great soap-opera. I sat and cursed Janis for her meddling, cheered Agent Walker kicking ass, and had feelings of dread as I watched President Taylor emerge from the lock-down. I think that this season of 24 is the best one we've seen for a good few seasons. I'm actually taking to these characters in the same way I took to Nina Myers, David Palmer and hers. Moreover, I think that Agent Renée Walker and President Allison Taylor are two of the best female characters we have had for a while. Walker has the full repertoire: brains, beauty, bravery, while I've found it interesting to watch President Taylor's high idealism being called into question (I think Cherry Jones plays her brillantly incidentally).
As HB said, we are at the halfway point, and I can't see where this is going. Something tells me the Vice-President may be less than trustworthy. Apparently, he does not want the president's death on his conscience. But I thought it was a really bad call, and would have been even if we didn't know where she was. The way I saw it (from an angle that may have been completely distorted), if Juma did not have the President, they should go in. If he did have the President, then what good is time going to do? Her life would be in jeopardy anyway, and what did they think they could give Juma for the life of the President of the United States? That whole element of it was a bit suspect in my eyes.
Anyway, roll on ep 13!
Anyhoo, a good episode, and I liked the "out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire" approach that was used. Still, it seemed most of the time was spent showing how obtuse the government can be, with the Vice President especially becoming the symbol of bureaucratic fecklessness this time out. And I'm not sure what to make of Larry Moss: as soon as I start to like him and think he's doing a bang-up job, he becomes a petty jerk who's on the verge of bungling the operation. And as for Jon Voigt's role--well, maybe the producers aren't as gleefully conservative as I thought!
Still looking forward to the next hour. . .
I was surprised by how quickly they turned Jack into a fugitive again. You would think by now he would be able to get a little cooperation.
What a great show. I can't wait for next week.
This was one of the White House soap opera episodes, with more on the mechinations of government and less on shoot-'em-up, punch-'em-up action. That said, it's another good episode, with some solid character development (interesting how the actress playing the President's daughter actually looks something like her--and I think she's got more goin' on with Ethan Canin than Aaron Pierce) and a very welcome appearance by Morris O'Brien. But it wasn't all talk and intrigue--just when it looked like things might get better for Jack, he's right back into the schitt, with a shock twist and a dynamic fight scene. There's ten more hours to go, and I for one can't wait for 'em!