(S06E06)*Warning: Spoilers ahead*
At times, I felt as though I'd accidentally clicked over to an old episode of The Sopranos, what with all the references to stick by "the family" and the importance of family loyalty . . . all references made mere minutes after one family member had tried to suffocate another, after members of the same family drew weapons on one another and one member demanded the execution of both his brother and father.
There was even some good, old fashioned, familial taunting. Insults were hurled like calling one brother "simple minded" and later harassing him for his failure to adequately protect his wife from a terrorist.
The Bauer boys drama, coupled with the late-in-the-episode appearance of their father, Phillip Bauer, provided the most compelling story line of the sixth hour of the new day of 24, an hour in which Tom Lennox proved himself to be a treacherous political shark who has a creepy little minnow swimming in his wake (that would be Chad Lowe playing Lennox's henchman) who somehow got Karen Hayes to resign.
But first, back to the Bauers . . . when we last saw them at the end of the last hour Jack was suffocating Graem with a plastic bag. It bugged me to no end that while viewers were not clued in as to why Jack punched his brother in the head without apparent provocation (the punch preceded the baggie incident), Jack later trusted Graem and his father to walk around freely. At the beginning of the episode, the brothers went to the office of Darren McCarthy, the man Abu Fayed had been calling in an attempt to line up an engineer to reconfigure the triggers on the remaining suitcase nukes McCarthy apparently helped Fayed procure. While finding nothing but "shredded" computer files of contracts between Phillip and Graem Bauer's company and McCarthy, Jack heard a noise in another location outside the office. After securing Graem's handcuffs to a bookcase, Jack went to check out the noise in darkened supply room, only to be ambushed by security men working for Phillip.
"I'm surprised to see you Jack," his father's first words rang out from the shadows. "We all feared the worst." After uttering such heartfelt sentiment, Philip called off his guards and Jack demanded his weapon back. Then, in a move I still don't get, Jack inexplicably tossed Phillip's men the keys to go and unlock Graem's handcuffs. Why would he do that, given that he'd just tried to suffocate Graem and all throughout the car ride Graem threatened Jack that he'd better not go against the family? As soon as Jack said he was going to report to CTU that Phillip and Graem's company, which was supposed to "decommission" the suitcase nukes, "slipped up" by hiring McCarthy, who was now working with a terrorist, Graem ordered the security personnel to point their weapons at Jack and his father Phillip. As the father and son were being led away to a van in cuffs, the man formerly known as the Bluetooth dude uttered, "Call me when it's over." By "it," one can only assume he's referring to their execution. Isn't Jack supposed to be smarter than this?
Meanwhile, in Washington, the political maneuverings got very interesting as did the ideological jousting between Chief of Staff Lennox and presidential advisor Hayes. After a very entertaining exchange that touched on issues involving the lack of accuracy of muskets, the Constitution and the phrases "bleeding heart liberal" followed by "dangerous agenda," Lennox dispatched his minion to produce evidence he could use to blackmail Hayes out of her White House job. Now maybe it's just me, but the threat Lennox made -- to expose allegations that Hayes covered up a mistake made by her husband, CTU Chief Bill Buchanan who let Fayed and other suspected terrorists free 14 months ago -- didn't seem substantial enough for Hayes to call it quits. There's got to be more to the story than that. Her quick request to be transferred to CTU-LA (President Palmer II said she'd get a military transport to the west coast) seemed too convenient.
One of the policies about which Lennox and Hayes locked horns before she quit was racial profiling. Without apparently securing presidential approval, Lennox had ordered Homeland Security to immediately start requiring that all federal employees of a Middle Eastern descent -- including Nadia Yassir in CTU-LA -- go through numerous safety checks and administrative hurdles in order to continue doing their work. This meant that work in CTU was delayed because Nadia had to go through an enormous amount of bureaucratic tape. So Milo, being the helpful chap that he is, felt outraged on her behalf and signed her onto a CTU computer under his name so she could work faster. A mistake? Is she another Nina-Myers-in-waiting? Or is she a red herring?
Then there was poor Walid Al-Rezani, the boyfriend of President Palmer II's sister Sandra, who was beaten in a federal detention facility by fellow detainees after they discovered that he'd been helping authorities obtain information from suspected terrorists. This ought to set off Sandra Palmer. But good. I expect long monologues from her in the next hour about how Lennox is an out of control maniac who wants to stick a dagger through the beating heart of American civil liberties. I'll bet she'll be in rare form.
So, what did you think of the Bauer family reunion? Of Hayes' resignation? Other aspects of the sixth hour?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
1-30-2007 @ 12:22AM
TVblogger said...
I was looking forward to this review, and I've not said anything about the other reviews.
But, please Meredith, can you write a review not a recap? I know what I watched, but I want to know what you think about it.
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1-30-2007 @ 12:42AM
mayorjimmy said...
I like where the Bauer family storyline is going, i'm looking forward to jack ripping webber's heart out and showing it to him before he dies. and well, that's it. all this bantering between "civil liberty versus security" is getting old. and i don't just mean they've beaten this to death on the show. it's getting old period. the whole thing smacks of lazy writing. just like that "evil people start war to get cheap oil" plotline from Season 2. just like every freaking Bush joke and Iraq war crack. The horse on those is beyond dead. We've moved from "beating a dead one" to "we brought it back to life, beat it to death again, and then brought it back AGAIN so we can beat it some more".
i realize the 24 writers like to try and inject some reality and some current event relativity. this is why i say the Muslims protesting the presence of arab terrorists should all just go cram it with walnuts. however, i think we can get a LITTLE more creative than "oh look some guy is trampling the constitution in the name of security and he's totally evil and he's got no reason to it".
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1-30-2007 @ 1:37AM
Kevin said...
I think the reason Jack gave the keys to Graem's handcuffs's is because he probably felt his father could control any trouble Graem may cause. Little did Jack know that his dad's men were working for Graem. Also, one of the henchman could have just shot the handcuffs off with his gun; Jack giving the keys to his father's men shows that on some level he trusts his father.
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1-30-2007 @ 1:38AM
Larry said...
I used to think we'd all be safer with a Jack Bauer around to singlehandedly take care of national security.
Now I realize that it wouldn't make any difference -- because Jack's family would cause so much extra danger that they'd cancel each other out.
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1-30-2007 @ 2:01AM
brett said...
hey tv blogger...WHHAHHHHAAAAAAA!!!!!stop crying about something that is given to you...meridith....kepp doin what you be doin...
ahaha....also i love the king lear story right now....llook it up you young posters
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1-30-2007 @ 2:27AM
DREW said...
Is it just me or did the storyline in tonight's episode seem way off?
Every character seemed to exhibit unlikely behavior.
Jack's actions just seemed so out of character, particularly at the point he threw the keys to release his brother.
That whole scene at the office made me feel like it was written by some intern at FOX who had never seen the show before.
That's another thing that pissed me off: FOX showing basically the big surprise of the episode on last week's preview, showing Jack getting clobbered and then seeing his father.
Don't get me wrong I have nothing against spoiler clips, in previews or elsewhere. But knowing most of the scene ruined the usual last 10 minutes of adrenaline plot escalation.
Add to that Jack's unusually wimpy response at the end to his brother's behavior.
Also did anyone notice Sandra Palmer's behavior last week versus this week? Last week she was flipping out when Walid wasn't in any immediate danger - she wouldn't shut up.
This week another complete reversal of character: Sandra only opened her trap at the end of the episode. The whole time I was thinking (being a big OZ fan also), if the detanees snuck in a cell phone don't you think they could have a knife or shank??
The FBI put him in harm's way but had no one standing by to extract him quickly??
Anyways, as a loyal viewer, I've come to expect that there's great episodes and some duds here and there.
I think they would have been better off keeping the tones of the episode consistent - especially after throwing in this "hidden" family of Jacks into the mix last week
Oh well.
As a longtime reader of TV Squad, I've come to expect serious discussion and unique coverage of my favorite shows offer here.
But TVblogger is right, these reviews need less RECAP and more ANALYSIS.
Hell, look at Brett Love's amazingly insightful "review" of Family Guy last night (a 22 minute animation).
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1-30-2007 @ 3:56AM
Dorv said...
Not to jump in the fire, but tvblogger does have a bit of a point. TVSquad staff generally shouts at the top of their lungs to defend (in other episode 'reviews') that they are NOT writing recaps, but it seems that 24 is each and every week.
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1-30-2007 @ 8:10AM
GamerJunk.net said...
I don't like how Jack Bauer had almost no time on screen other than like 5 minutes in the middle and then at the very end. I don't care about Lennox unless at the end of the day the entire country is on lockdown or something and it starts an entirely new order because of the restraints on middle eastern citizens.
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1-30-2007 @ 8:31AM
const said...
Have to agree with TVBlogger. TWOP has recaps, we want reviews.
To say I should be greatful that this is "given to me" is a load of crap bret.
I beg TVSquad to review the Unit and Rome. Why isn't this "given to us?"
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1-30-2007 @ 9:18AM
Jonathan said...
"Oh well.
As a longtime reader of TV Squad, I've come to expect serious discussion and unique coverage of my favorite shows offer here.
But TVblogger is right, these reviews need less RECAP and more ANALYSIS."
Amen to that! Very well said Drew!
I guess Mederith doesn't read our comments. Like i said last week, if i wanted a recap i would go to fox.com!
Reviews please!
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1-30-2007 @ 9:22AM
Gordy said...
I like the recap/reviews. Don't change a thing. The Internet is huge. Haters can find another site.
On topic. This phase shift I saw coming a couple of episodes ago. The writing started out very right wing, then the nuke, and now it has shifted to the left. In the process, it is becoming very thought provoking. You're able to see scenarios played out--often to the extreme--but it makes you think nonetheless.
As much as I hated to see Sandra Palmer vindicated, that's exactly what happened. You just KNOW she's gonna end up at the White House. I still hate this President. I think he's weak, and too focused on 'making everyone happy' during war. That's not how it's done. Sis joining the ranks is not going to help.
I am looking forward to Karen and Bill reuniting. I think they make a great team. I wonder what kind of tension will arise, in light of her resignation.
I'm not feeling the other family drama. The Bauer Bunch storyline needs to die soon. The only part I liked was Jack beating the crap out of his brother. More of that...less of the wife...the child...the father...and please, please, do not bring Kim back.
The cool thing about 24 is that these subplots seldom linger for more than 4 episodes, so, ol' Graem should be dead in a couple of weeks...this was week 2.
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1-30-2007 @ 9:22AM
Jimmy said...
I was totally bored watching this episode. Enough with all the family bullshit! Does it seem like the writers of this show are just repeating themselves? Once again we have the evil White House lackey plotting to take over the White House with the much more John Wayne like Vice-President (if the previews can be believed)? This whole season so far seems like a rehash of Season 2 with a nuclear bomb thrown in.
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1-30-2007 @ 10:09AM
khamel said...
before watching 24 last night i was watching pti and tony korneheiser said he might stop watching 24 because it was starting to jump the shark. after watching the most recent episode, i might be tempted to agree (but i'll never stop watching, i lasted season 3 of the oc so i can last anything). the story lines dont make any sense and even when they are explained, it wont be worth it. can't we get back to jack having no family, no feelings and no pain? i hope season 7 is about jack being a cold blooded killing machine who saves the world from a biological attack with no family members to be seen or heard from. who's left, his long lost cousin jimmy who became a neo-nazi?
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1-30-2007 @ 10:19AM
Dianne said...
I like the recap/review. It gives me a new perspective on some of the things I watched and thought about on the show. I just had the feeling Jack wanted some time off, he appeared in so little of last night's episode.
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1-30-2007 @ 10:34AM
DREW said...
Is it just me or does it seem like every time readers have responded to 24's review format this season there's suddenly several comments that look like they're written by the same author that begin with:
"I like the recap/review."?
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1-30-2007 @ 10:37AM
Hugeliver said...
ahhhhhh..The Unit review. I would DEFINITELY be interested in that. The wives in that are BEYOND annoying!! Lock THEM in a room with Palmer's sister and you would have THE lowest rated show on TV.
I thought this was a good episode. I especially liked the exchange between Karen and The Pickle, but it went downhill from there. I'm SICK of Palmer's sister and her constant furrowed eyebrows. AS IF she goes running into a detainee playground dressed in her business suit expecting to break things up!!! COME ON! DREW, I agree...as if he'd be in harms way without a guard or someone inside. WHO did the FBI guy radio to get Walid out anyway??? When Sherri...I mean...Sandra went running to the gate she wasn't allowed in!! I wish they would get back to season ones' chemistry instead of trying to outdo each previous season with wilder and more unbelievable storylines. I fear this may be the last season I watch of the best show I've ever seen on television!
Anyway, keep up the good work. I always look forward to the reviews/recaps the next day. During the whole show I was making mental notes to see if my thoughts coincided with everyone else here.
By the way, if you DO want reviews of The Unit, I'm more than willing!......
: )
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1-30-2007 @ 11:13AM
Darien said...
Keep your recap/reviews the way they are Meredith!
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1-30-2007 @ 11:43AM
Adam said...
I think Meredith is doing a much better job in terms of thoroughness. While yes, the recaps are a bit unnecessary, I've been impressed with how much her articles have improved over the last few weeks. I'm sure she's reading our comments and adjusting accordingly. Good work!
On a side note, I think I'm going to stop watching the previews for next week. By doing so, I feel like I know exactly what is going to happen and, like stated earlier, it does not become a decent climax. Now, if only I could find a way to avoid the previews during the advertisements the rest of the week...
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1-30-2007 @ 12:52PM
Georgia said...
I keep wondering why they were hiding why Nadia Yassir (thanks to the recap, I have her name) could not process her work like usual. Why not just say some the White House screwed with her security clearance and that's why she's being so slow?? Why should Milo "cover" for her and why should she have be surprised that he is "covering" for her? It's not a secret she's from the Middle East. In most work places, people would just bitch about management doing stupid things.
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1-30-2007 @ 12:54PM
Meredith said...
Just wanted to throw this into the mix . . . I've been asked to write a combo review/recap.
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