24

This episode was written by newcomer Manny Coto, whose previous work on science fiction programs I haven't seen much of, if at all. But after viewing "9am - 10am," I just might have to check those shows out… Oh, who am I kidding? No way in hell am I gonna become a Trekkie.
As of now, the main threat has moved onto a dire hostage crisis at the Ontario Airport, and Jack is smack in the middle of it. Plus, Derek has moronically landed himself as one of the hostages. The apparent goal of the terrorist act is solely to prevent the signing of the arms treaty between Logan and Suvarov, but as we're only at the third hour of the season, I suspect otherwise.
At the presidential retreat, Martha's got her own problems trying to prove to her husband that Palmer was about to tell her something big before his death. She decides to use some questionable methods in order to gain access to the phone transcripts. But why quibble about it?
A very good episode that creates nice drama and tension out of the hostage situation, intrigue out of the CTU/White House mole storyline, and…well, that's it. But it's pretty sweet. Next!

Hourly Highlight:
Martha popping her boob out. I think I love her.

Since the Previous Episode built this Airport Storyline, now we have a pay off. This airport Storyline seems until now very good and intense.



First, after being annoying, martha finally did something, at least, you can find one of her scenes funny.



All the Attention is focused in the airport, so Jack is there, curtis is planning, Bill is managing, chloe is helping.



The episode itself is all about the tension created. Derek in this episode serves for this porpose for example. A mole inside President Logan Administration made things more difficult.



Overral, There is nothing new, but since the writers now were willing to kill important characters, the tension created still good and the situation itself seems impossible to overcome.

So, we have quite familiar things going on - nothing super new but the things are still exciting and it looks like they are going to rescue operation but oh, on the crucial moment the mole in president administration forwards the information about Bauer there and he is forced to come out to save Derek. And now they are blind there, Jack is out and rescue mission aborted.



On other hand, Logan's wife is putting the pieces together and there is nothing to stop her to get what she wants and she manages to get to the archives and to the information she needs. But what did she found?

Very good episode indeed. It started out kind of slow, but it kept getting more and more interesting as it kept going. My personal favorite parts where when Jack first called and Audrey asked that he was put on speaker phone so that she could hear his voice, I thought that was very sweet. I also liked what the first lady did to get the access card to the archive room, that was awesome. I liked the last couple of minutes leading to the vest bomb going off, that was very exciting. And of course the ending, which is always awesome in this show. I can't possibly imagine what Jack will do next. He'll probably figure it out though.

This is all just a big setup for something big to happen in the next installment or so. Jack remained undercover for pretty much the entire episode and other then one of the terrorists vests getting blown up nothing really hapened in the episode. Mrs. Logan searching for information isn't very exciting, though it may be soon as she said she found what she is looking for. This should all come to a head in the next 1-2 episodes, but as far as this one went it was strictly a filler which surprised me considering how well the series had been doing this season so far.

Jack Bauer finds a lead at Ontario Airport, he gets himself mixed up in a hostage situation and he becomes CTU's only reliable lead on the crisis. Things here happens really fast. Well it's gotta, we only have a day for this drama to unfold. The writers did a good job making this a good show, each hour shows something significant that helps advance the plot in a way that excites the audience, it never becomes boring. The action is relentless as ever and the surprises keep coming each week. It's been a very nice episode, I'm really looking forward to next week.

Don\'t get me wrong, I love 24, but this episode was just boring. It was alright watching the first time, but the second was just painful. Jack hardly does anything, Derek is still amoung the living and not enough dead terrorists. Whilst the season is the 2nd best, with the 1st season as the best, this episode is just a filler for time. C\'mon writters and producers, get your act into gear and keep giving us the good stuff. Perhaps killing so many characters off at the start has limited the amount of storylines. I for one really wanted to see Tony and Michelle's meeting take place...

This episode opened in Sweden with a warning of graphic violence. Don't know about graphic, but disturbing violence for sure! The scene with the hostage being executed was really disturbing, at least IMO. It was done stilishly without fountains of blood and brains everywhere and thus it was more effectful. To me it really hit home.



Logan's such an annoying character! God I want to use the mute button every time he opens his mouth. He won't listen to reason, expects everyone else to do his job AND expect them to do magic with their knees while they're at it. Ugh...



The airport theme is quite good. I've often wondered if they will do something like an airplane being hijacked on the show and this seems to be as close as we get.



Logan is a turd.



Aaron! Aaron is back! Oh I love Aaron! Or Agent Pierce as I guess he should be called. I am so happy that they brought him back. No season is complete without Aaron!



Logan is a loser.



Mrs. Logan however... In this episode I loved her. She refused to let her no-good husband get to her and took matters into her own hands. And her method of getting that keycard was just great.



Logan is a nobody though.



Did anyone else notice that when Curtis was about to storm the building Buchannan and Audrey both sprouted glasses? That looked kind of funny... I'm glad that they've stopped going after Jack at the time being, I just hope they'll stick to their Jack-was-framed point of view.



Logan is an ass.



I've said it before and I'll say it again. I like Diane and Derek. The guy who plays Derek was really good in this episode, he keeps impressing me. Did I btw notice a look of jealousy in Audrey's eyes when Jack mentioned Diane? Did she really not think that the guy she dumped would ever find someone new? Yeesh! I hope Diane gets the guy in the end.



Logan is a scumbag.



I'm telling you there is something going on between Edgar and Chloe. He so obviously cares for her. I hope she'll like him too. Anyhoo it was great to see Chloe back in action, she is one of my favorite agents and one of those you know you can really trust.



Longing to see what happens in the next hour. I just hope we don't get lots of Jack being tortured or beaten up, haven't we seen enough of that already?

With the first two episodes setting up the crisis, this episode now sets things in motion. Although the bigger picture is still mysterious, this one episode is another entertaining installment. Manny Coto, in his writing debut for 24, proves to be a useful addition to the crew. His first assignment is an exercise in one of 24’s main themes: the clash between personal problems and national security crisis. Of course, we’ve seen Jack in these situations many times on the show, but this time it is a crash course for those involved in his new life. Unfortunately, the situation has Derek in grave danger while Diane can only sit and watch, hoping that Jack can save him.



The stakes are raised quickly, as the terrorists shoot the yuppie with the cell phone and the man with the wife without hesitation, dragging their bodies away and making Derek kneel in one of the victim’s blood. Derek survives such a quick demise via the “he’s not an extra” rule, but considering what they did to Michelle and Palmer, they don’t want us to forget that they are confident in killing off anyone. Nevertheless, why they didn’t just shoot Derek once that guy’s vest blew up? Later they justify it because he’ll make Jack cooperate, but that doesn’t explain the time in between the terrorist exploding and Walt telling the terrorists about Jack.



It’s forgivable since keeping Derek alive keeps Jack’s personal interest invested in the crisis. Although he probably would behave similarly if Derek was replaced with a random hostage, it makes it resonate deeper with the audience. Jack simply can’t go running in guns blazing, even though it would be fun for the viewer. Like real life hostage situations, he has to proceed with caution or else he’ll have sixty civilian casualties on his hands.



One thing about 24 that may set off nitpickers (aside from the liberties of the real time format) is that despite being away from the field for at least a year and a half, he shows few signs that he’s out of practice. While it doesn’t hurt perhaps if he was a bit rusty, it would make situations like the ones in this episode more intense because they have the added dilemma of whether Jack still knows how to get it done.



However, they decide to focus on having Jack and CTU work together. Because Jack isn’t CTU, he doesn’t have to obey their rules, and can pursue the hostage situation any way he wanted. Bill Buchanan seems to be one of the many CTU directors who doesn’t like the way Jack operates, but his character development has come along nicely since then.



There is a problem with how quickly Jack’s innocence is proved. Yes, CTU found the body where Chloe told them it would be and they do have her testimony (and eventually Derek’s), but that doesn’t prove that the dead guy was the gunman, maybe if they found the rifle with his prints on them. Maybe Chloe could’ve found that the video was forged. They could talk to the foreman at that construction site. Even though he knew Jack as “Frank”, he could place him there when Palmer was shot.



Since Chloe has been so loyal to Jack, it’s fitting that she borrowed a page from his book to get back on the floor. What could’ve been annoying is rather cool now. What type of punishment Chloe will receive will likely amount to a wrist slap or less, but she is a great example of how Jack has influenced CTU.



Considering he can’t get the media to stop broadcasting the Russian terrorists’ feed, a feat the media obliged his predecessor when Heller was kidnapped, Logan is a useless idiot. But what is really troubling is that he is more concerned that the hostage situation is ruining his photo op than saving those people. Not negotiating with terrorists is a good policy, but Logan needs to look at it realistically. There is a crisis going on and he needs to solve it. His dream of somehow solving it with little media fall out is harming that process.



This episode is largely devoted to the hostage crisis, but the other major storyline advancement is from Martha. It confirms that she there is more to her than anything we may have thought. Knowing that Palmer’s assassination and the hostage situation are linked, she is determined to get the proof she needed. Martha is in the position where she is desperate to be taken seriously. It was a bit shocking for her to barge in while the techie guy was peeing, but she kicked it up by threatening to scream rape if he didn’t give her what she needed. I think Jack would respect that.



Thanks to her cunning, she was able to get the transcript, of which we still don’t know the contents. Considering Walt is dirty, she would be wise to make copies of it or perhaps fax a copy somewhere safe. It’s risky to have the only piece of evidence validating your information in one place, especially when no one believes you.



There is something about these terrorists’ plans and motivations that do require some exploration. These guys are ready to kill themselves, as we saw that they aren’t bluffing when Jack blew up one of them. Beresch and his men must know that the best scenario they have is life imprisonment, so this is clearly one step (evident since we’re still early in the season). The signing of the treaty is a big point, but that is only a small portion of the day. It could be that this is merely a good time so that their attack’s profile will be lifted.



I’ll go into more detail about this in the next review, but from what we can guess from this episode is that the terrorists have been inspired partly from events going on in Chechnya. It’s probably best that they don’t mention this directly like they did in season two with the three countries, but thankfully the connection to Russia makes the deliberate vagueness less likely to annoy.



Although I was expecting more of a Die Hard story, they thankfully decided to avoid that and have the two sides (terrorists and CTU) operating independently. This episode is another example of what appears to be a great season so far. The emphasis on character development is definitely appreciated, as it is what reels us in. Though I wish there was more explanation about the terrorists’ motives, I know it will be explained later.

Jack infiltrates the Airport where Terrorists have taken hostages. They call President Lame-Duck, sorry, Logan and give him an ultimatum and deadline, it seems that President Logan's more interested in an Anti-Terrorism Treaty that he has arranged to be signed (his legacy) than saving the hostages so it's down to Jack to do what he does best. .

Dragging the dead guy - the one who was trying to call out on his phone and was shot for his troubles - across the floor to get rid of him was kind of funny, but then I have been told that I have a rather odd sense of humour.



How did the terrorist have Sergeant McLaren's phone number? That couldn't be random chance...



"Understand this Bill, I don't work for you" - nice... Jack operating under the radar, and with no one in his way. Of course that also means he's operating with no one to back him up, either, at least until Buchanan gets the stick out of his butt and decides to use the available resources.



What is with Logan? He's more worried about his reputation and that of his administration than the terrorist threat? He comes off in that little diatribe as a spoiled child... And what's up with Walt Cummings - what has he got to do with this? Why was he talking to the terrorist leader? It does seem as if this tantrum by Logan was not the reaction he was expecting from him, though.



Derek and Diane - hmm... not too sure about those two... Derek could be okay, and so far is, he's had a little more character development, but Diane isn't much more than a sobbing twit yet. (Just a thought - might want to tone down on Derek's lipstick - it's not really his colour...)



Here goes Logan again - he wants it done but doesn't want to take any kind of responsibility for the actions of the people he sends to do it. Nothing like David Palmer... *sob*



Mrs. Logan is a hoot... walking in on the comms officer while he's taking a leak... and her method of convincing him to had over his passcard was inspired - and profoundly funny...



Cummings is a bastard, giving Jack over like that - I *really* want to know his connection to these terrorists.



Still have episode four on the comp waiting to watch it - I think I'll do that tomorrow.

In the thrid episode to season five, we find that Jack is "spying" on the terrorists, who now have taken over Ontario airport. Jack is "quarterbacking" an impending strike against the terrorists from inside the airport. He is watching them from the ventilation shaft above the room where the hostages are all being held. Once Jack learns that the teen boy Derek is one of the hostages, he makes it his top priority to rescue him. When the terrorists take Derek off into another room, and plan on executing him on Live TV, Jack must think of a way to cause a distraction.

wow! jack is caught but we allll know he's gonna get out somehow haha. When the terrorists were killing that hostage i expected them to kill the man because 24..would do just that, so it wasnt that shocking. but the whole "I have a wife too" was pretty good. Mannn Derek was sweating like mad and there was stuff coming out of his nose haha but how would you look if you were about to die!



I expected a bigger reaction from audrey when she heard jack's voice but i guess we gotta focus on the crisis at hand! NO one is very remosful for palmer and michelle!! and TONY!? how is tony???? jack number 2!!



Of course Chloe would get the code on time ...because she always does, i think after watching too much twenty four you start to expect shocking things or just KNOW theyre gonna get the code at the LAST SECOND, but oh well...24 will always come up with something new and shocking!

This one is better, but it stil is chock full of bunches of filler, at the same time it is still much better I believe than season 2 and 3, the soap-opera factor is still low I think concidering the set-up of the show that in itself is very impressive. Still looking forward to the next episode.

A number of people were concerned with the effect that Manny Coto would have on the writing staff, especially since his resume lists a number of science fiction genre shows like “Enterprise”. This episode should lay those concerns to rest. This was an episode with a clear, tight plot with a clear sense of character, even if the characters in question have aspects that are annoying or questionable. There’s little doubt that Coto knew what he was doing for this episode.



Jack in particular takes on a more focused personality. Instead of over-emoting through a crisis, as he sometimes does, the plot required a more measured and thoughtful response. As a result, Jack came across as someone with professional experience and instincts, but with personal concerns that can lead to questionable judgment and risk. That is Jack Bauer in a nutshell.



Similarly, Bill has come a long way since his introduction, and not necessarily in a good way. It’s good for Jack, because Bill seems more interested in the pragmatic solution to the no-win scenario that Logan mandates. Logan wants the situation handled quickly with as little negative media exposure as possible. How it’s done is of little consequence. Bill recognizes that having someone on the inside with a desire to help, as well as critical experience, gives him an edge. Similarly, he gets Chloe involved and keeps Logan out of the loop to enhance that practicality.



The cooperation between Jack and CTU is very well done, even as it becomes strained with Jack’s decision to take action on his own at an inopportune time. There’s none of the annoying barking of threats that Jack received at the beginning of the fourth season. Bill may take Jack to task later down the line, but for now, the mission takes priority. It gives the situation a more substantial and professional tone, even if the real world would never operate so smoothly.



In particular, the plot did a good job of communicating the idea of “necessary brutality” on the part of the terrorists; they certainly appear to believe that this action is the logical if unfortunate solution to the problems they face. At the same time, the writing doesn’t advocate the methods or the beliefs. It’s not on the same level that the writers achieved in parts of the fourth season, where parallels were drawn between terrorist fervor and patriotism, but it’s more than could be readily expected.



Bill does continue to take the news about Jack a little too casually. He just got used to the idea that Jack is alive; now he’s willing to accept that Jack is innocent, based on confirmation of only part of an alibi. Is this designed to make it look like Logan has the upper hand, despite his obvious lack of leadership, so Logan can question Bill’s own command somewhere down the line?



Similarly, the goals of the terrorists beg deeper analysis. It doesn’t make sense for the terrorists to go to so much trouble simply to derail an anti-terrorism accord. So what is the real goal? The terrorists certainly seem ready to die to further their cause, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t dupes themselves. After all, why would Walter go to so much trouble, just for some Russian terrorists?



Once again, Jack uses personal resources to take care of his own agenda. And as usual, Jack’s allies drag those within their own orbits into the fold. Spenser could be trouble, however, since he could see Chloe’s off-protocol actions as a chance to take her down, if he’s using his relationship to her to get ahead.



Martha’s methods may leave something to be desired. It’s a little annoying to see falsified sexual assault as a blackmail motif; there are enough degenerate scumbags around ruining for the rest of the male population without women using that to gain advantage. Even so, it demonstrates that Martha is not the addled lunatic that everyone wants to think she is. What she found in that file should prove quite interesting and instrumental.

Man! Talk about emotional! I was expecting a hostage situation like this to be actually a little bit milder than it was. When the terrorists started to execute the hostages and show it on live tv, I just cried. Especially when one of the guys says, I have a wife and children, and he says so do I, and then fires a head shot. I thought the terrorists from season 4 were unemotional but these on season 5 are just cold! Lifeless! This show put the fear in me if Russian terrorists actually did strike here. The writers and producer Joel Surnow wanted to make this season more brutal and thrilling than any of the other seasons, and so far he's right. This show will have you on the edge of your seat, in tears, in anger, and joy all even in one episode. Logan needs help. I am curious how he ever got the job as President of the United States! Of all the seasons of 24 I've seen so far, this is the poorest lack of leadership of a country I've seen. Its only because he won't listen to anybody, even his own wife, who he thinks can't mentally remember anything. I love it. This is the show to watch if you need a tv show that touches all your senses.

On a show like 24 it becomes very difficult to keep a stoy line interesting, but they keep topping themselves. The newest four episodes have been some of the best ever on the show. It really is exactly why I watch this show. This season will be great! *Seatbelt ON* I'm ready for the ride!