For as much as I’ve poked fun at Jack Bauer’s final long day, this has been an incredibly entertaining season of 24. The writers have more than made up for their past sins and have even learned a thing or two along the way about pacing a show done in real time. In essence, they’ve gotten back to basics. Even in episodes like tonight’s, where dialogue drove a lot of the hour, the show never went totally off the rails.
A big part of the last couple of seasons of 24 has been the discussion about “doing what it takes,” to protect the good of the nation (or, for the terrorists, cause it harm). Tonight continued the debate as characters were faced with rather difficult decisions about how to confront, what they thought, were justifiable threats. Just a few of the no-win situations facing the crew: Jack’s last ditch, final salvo effort to bring down the group responsible for Renee’s death, President Taylor’s decision to torture Dana at Logan’s behest (with a little water-boarding shout out), and Chloe’s plan to take down the only guy she probably ever really loved.
Jack’s enlistment of Cole to ultimately track down Dana will, at least, give their engagement storyline some much needed closure. But it took the show an eternity to get there. Jack’s little helicopter ride through Manhattan and visit to one badass hookup (more on this later) gave a little insight into how hard it is to track a guy whose expertise is counter-surveillance. Because when this guy is focused and determined, there is no government entity that can stop him. When it comes to going the extra mile for something you think is right, no one does it better than Jack.
Logan meanwhile, continued his slippery, squirmy and shady visit to President Taylor. The ex-pres has shown, in his triumphant return, he’s as evil and self-absorbed as ever. How anyone could trust a word this guy says is beyond me, but that is one of the hallmarks of 24. The show has never been against bringing back enemies, making them seem reformed, only to pull the rug right back out from under us (even though, deep down, we knew it was coming). Logan, with only his self-interest in mind, plays both sides right back against the middle when he convinces President Taylor to go through with the agreement, eliminate Dana Walsh and even make a run at Jack for old time’s sake.
And tonight, one of the saddest moments in 24 history occurred when Chloe finally had to defy Jack and her obvious love for him. I actually thought this scene was one of the best of the season because I honestly didn’t know how it would shake down for Jack. What made it even sadder was Jack could see right through Chloe’s lousy attempt at stealth. I feel bad for Chloe getting played as the sucker, but that’s what you get for going behind Jack’s rogue-agent back.
Setting Jack up as the lone wolf, with every living government agent trying to track him down is a fitting way for the show to begin its final descent into the annals of television history. Jack has always been flying solo, even when he had a family, and now makes one last push for justice (even if he has to do it on his own).
Some other thoughts:
- What a great, but all too brief, Michael Madsen cameo. As opposed to Freddie Prinze’s character, Madsen is a guy I wish24 writers had brought in a long time ago. He’s a sight for these sore eyes (that have been searching for good acting). Wouldn’t it be nice to have a guy like Madsen to call whenever you needed a full surveillance set up, some assault rifles, and body armor? Why does he owe Jack so much? Why is he living in a self-styled city bunker? Where did that burn on his neck come from? It was only a one episode cameo, so alas, we’ll never know.
- I think I could have done a more realistic looking helicopter scene with three toys, some string and an old VHS camcorder.
- Oh what do I think about Dana Walsh? Do I hate her? Do I feel sorry for her? Does she deserve what she gets? Is Katee Sackhoff hot? I just don’t know.
