24 Season Six - Hour 17: Lost in a Masquerade

Another long, long day in the life of Jack, the White House administration, and assorted CTU peeps. 17 hours of lies, betrayals, doubts, gunfire – and always – some degree of subterfuge.

Tom still tries to talk Wayne out of the nuclear strike on The Unnamed Country. Karen calls Bill to tell him about the latest development. She asks him if she can make up a little white lie involving CTU’s interrogation of Fayed, in order to get Wayne to call off the strike. Although Bill is as shocked as she at the news, he firmly says no. The ambassador calls in to the bunker pleading for the strike to be called back. He says he has “new intel” about a general who’s been commanding Fayed. Wayne starts sniffing the air, and calls the ambassador a liar.

After the ambassador, the joint chiefs, and especially Karen and Tom are drenched in sweat; Wayne relents and aborts the strike. But wait… what? The missile had no warhead? Wayne was faking it? A man can do that? Hmm, he’s not married, maybe that’s… Oh sorry, where was I? Ah, so the whole thing was a ploy. Scary one, but it worked. The ambassador has promised a full report on this evil General Habib.

Meanwhile, Jack is beating up interrogating Fayed. “I haven’t begun to enjoy myself” But the Q & A session is interrupted when he gets a call from Bill, and while he’s busy, Doyle tries – but gets no where. When Fayed claims he’s serving God, Doyle points his gun square at his head:

“No, you’re not, and you can ask him when you see him” Although it was a great line, Jack intercedes:

“Agent Doyle – lower your weapon! Remember your place sonny, I have top billing at this clambake – I get the best lines.”

They prepare to bring him to CTU for “pharmaceutical interrogation” where Burke is sharpening his needles and drooling. Jack gets to show off his star status once again:

“Now, we’re gonna have some fun!”

Oh, and what fun is in store next. While Jack, Doyle and Fayed are en route to CTU, and enjoying a conversation that weighs the merits of the pharmaceutical interrogation technique, their vehicle is rammed head on by some sort of armored truck. What looks like just a typical collision turns out to be a rescue attempt by Fayed’s men. Shots are fired on both sides, and suddenly Doyle is down. A second later, so is Jack. Oh no!

Article Author: Mary K. Williams

Mary K. is a freelance entertainment writer living in the Greater Boston area. She has written CD reviews for Metronome Magazine and is a former Features Editor for Hot Psychology Magazine. Mary K. has also contributed to the anthology, Brewed …

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