Why that dirty girl, she calls her same reporter pal, Ken, and tells him he can go ahead and run the story about Jack’s latest mischief, Ethan’s involvement, and also suggests the he should lead with the exciting tip that Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead.
Our pal Hodges and his sidekick Kato (Greg Seaton) enter the boardroom of Starkwood. He lectures the board members, telling them to stop making nice with the Senate and all their subcommittees and subpoenas. If Starkwood was given a chance to protect the country this day, none of these attacks would have happened. The board Chair connects the dots, and follows Hodges out into the hall, wondering if Hodges (and by extension, Starkwood) had anything to do with Mayer’s death. Hodges feigns innocence, but slyly admits that there IS a growing market for political assassinations.
Larry meanwhile is connecting his own forensic dots, and thinks there might be a possibility of a third party during the Mayer melee. Maybe Bauer is not the perp? He calls Renee, who wants to help Larry, but also wants to help Jack and she’s more than reluctant to give any more information away. Larry waits while Renee mutely wrestles with her conscience. Finally, at the risk of appearing like a “dropped call” phone commercial, Renee tells Larry that Jack was trying to prove that Starkwood was behind the day’s evils.
Tony and Jack connect at the Port of Alexandria, and find a lone security guard named Carl, who just moments before was on the phone with a very pregnant wife. This can’t bode well for him, now that we all know what sweetness waits at home. They do the strong-arm bit for a while with poor Carl, who admits he’s dealing with bad guys. “But only the kind of bad guys who smuggle electronics from Korea” is Carl’s disclaimer. Tony and Jack assure him that these are the REAL bad guys, not some namby-pamby, weak-ass smugglers. Carl will try to cooperate, but is now scared for his life. Jack promises that they’ll protect him. Tony coughs out “doubtful” while Jack glares and throws Ricola drops at him. They instruct Carl to wear communications/surveillance device and to continue on as planned. In other words, let the men in and let the whoop-ass party begin!
Article comments
1 - Clare
Thanks, Mary, for the entertaining recap!!
And now: are they really going to kill Jack this season? Now that I'm thinking about it, Kim just showing up to see her dad (I gather she's supposedly coming on this season) might be last goodbyes. And oh yeah, Keifer himself mentions losing Carlos Bernard in the cast - twice... the message boards are all over that spoiler! So right now, I'm thinking the inhaled "fragrance" might be ending things, (for Jack, at least), how about you?
2 - Mary K. Williams
My gut reaction is No. It just does not feel that way to me.
Also, and admittedly IMDb is not the be-all and end-all, still KS has no new projects visible, plus he's confirmed he'll be back in Season Eight.
Of course, he could just appear as some sort of amorphous being, appealing to his protegees to "Search their feelings" and "use the Protocols...dammit!" Qui-Gon Jack, right?
3 - Dr Dreadful
As I understand it, Kiefer is signed on for Season Eight and the much-vaunted feature film. I don't think any decision has been made on whether 24 will continue after that, possibly sans Jack.
Besides, chemical and biological weaponry - and indeed any other normally fatal agent - seem to have very little effect on major characters in the 24 world - remember President Palmer miraculously returning from the dead after being assassinated by Mandy at the end of Season Two? Not to mention Tony now running around quite happily after being killed by death (a.k.a. Robocop) a couple of years back.
Then again, the announcement that Sutherland is committed to another season might just be a smokescreen. 'T would be great shock value, that's for sure, but might also result in the producers and writers of the show being lynched.
4 - Clare
Ha, I like the "amorphous being". Good one.
Yea, for sure, I'd be the one to lynch the producers/writers. The thought of bawling over the loss of America Hero #1 (who no one remotely appreciates despite his numerous sacrifices!!) is not a pleasant one. At any rate, it's semi-reassuring to hear that KS is on for season 8...though I don't necessarily trust that they'll follow through, esp. with Keifer previously admiting "interest" in the charater's possible demise. I guess it's time to stop being such a spoiler addict and go along for the ride!
5 - Dr Dreadful
Speaking of characters coming back from the dead, I fully expect a surprise appearance by Ryan Chappelle this season, nursing a grudge against Jack and complaining of a really bad headache.
6 - Mary K. Williams
Good points Dr. D. We all love when 'we didn't see it coming' - but will the Powers that Be go that route for the sake of the thrill? Just doesn't seem likely.
But not impossible.
7 - Mary K. Williams
Exactly Clare - We all signed on for "the ride", it's the ride that drives the rest.
8 - Clare
Mary, I've missed reading your new recap for hour 16 this week! I hope all's well with you; maybe I'll be lucky enough to enjoy them next week...
9 - Mary K. Williams
Sorry Clare. I did watch, and started taking notes. However this week I decided I was not going to write anything up. Been a tough week here, and I can't promise what next week brings.
This is the first season in several years that I've actually not done ALL the recaps. It's very weird for me, but this is just the way it is.
Thanks for the interest Clare!
10 - Clare
You are very welcome! I completely understand, hope next week turns out a bit better. Must be that spring fever in the air. Take care.