24 Episode 17–10:00p.m.-11:00p.m.
Up until the last few minutes, this episode was good but not great. After the last few minutes I want to put it right up there with one of the best episodes this season.
Right when we think that Jack has become a guest star on his own show, this episode brings him back in a huge way.
But, first let’s start off talking about President Wayne, and giving kudos for all the readers that commented on the fact that he was launching a “dud nuke� just to get some information out of “The Ambassador� (I love how they talk about him like he’s the only ambassador in the world). The rouse worked and we were able to find out there was a general in “Fayed’s country� that was calling the shots for Fayed.
Jack on the other hand thought up a brilliant plan of his own. In just minutes they were able to stage a car wreck involving an armored car in order to get Fayed to think he’d been rescued from a terrorist cell.
In the preview we were supposed to think Jack had been shot, I’m glad he wasn’t “just wearing a vest.� Although, I don’t think that networks should mislead viewers in previews like they so often do. (Side note: Was Jack wearing a vest, owas the team just firing blanks? Why in the world, if they were firing blanks, did the guys in the truck give Fayed a gun with real ammo?)
I knew that Fayed would somehow figure out that CTU was behind the plan. That sneaky general gave Fayed some sort of code meaning that he was talking under duress, and Fayed escaped in a garbage truck.
Now is where the episode got back to old 24 roots. The last five minutes is where this episode really shined. A deserted warehouse, Jack Bauer, and a half-dozen terrorists now those are ingredients to success with this show. The last moments of the episode reminded me of the last moments of season 1 where Jack went on his rampage because he thought Kim had died.
Jack is Jack again, which is what this season was in desperate need of. When Jack hung Fayed and said “Say hi to your brother for me,� that was just the icing on the cake. He even sat and watched, and even cracked a bit of a painful smile as he slowly raised the chain until Fayed was dead. Sadistic I know, but it was sorely needed.
Now this season is about to take a drastic turn. The Chinese have Audrey and there is still seven hours left. Could this be the vigilante mission that they have been hinting at ever since Jack found out that Audrey was dead? I sure hope so, there’s nothing better than a good revenge story.
I just have one more thing to say about this episode.
Welcome back Jack. Welcome back.
April 9th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
I agree wholeheartedly. This season has been so-so for me so far - after the nuke, nothing’s really blown me away. However, once Jack started killing Fayed’s henchmen and then Fayed, and then we found out about Audrey, I remembered all over again how I got sucked into this show in the past seasons. I hope they can maintain that level again.
April 9th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
This episode was fantastic. I watched the show with my girlfriend, who isn’t a big 24 fan, but was willing to take it in. She was excited, gripped by the action in the first 20 minutes, while not having watched any of the opening episodes.
Simply fantastic!
I remember telling her at 10:24 (24-clock) that, “oh ho, they got me… Boy oh boy, they had me on the hook!”
Hook line and sinker, this episode was so well written I fell for every line. I loved every second of it too!
For me, I thought the end of the show should have been Fayed’s death. It was such a fantastic ending for the villain. Jack getting his revenge; perfect.
I had to talk myself into it, but the ending for this season will have to be more explosive and more powerful than this episode. The writers essentially ended the main plot line and are being bold enough to tackle a new one with more than half the season behind them. This should be interesting and very explosive.
I hope those who bet on Jack’s kill count padded their number a little higher: I smell ass kicking in the air.
Fun episode, bottom line!
April 9th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
I have to say I agree totally with Jaybeas. After the nuke it was pretty “blah” but the last two episodes finally felt like real episodes of 24. The final seven should be much better I feel.
April 9th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
I thought the “brilliant plan” was Buchanan’s, not Jack’s. Did I miss something?
April 9th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
I didn’t see the nuke ruse coming. I bought the line but was trying to figure out what was happening to the Prez - was it a stroke? was it a stupid episode? Then, when it was played out, I thought, “This is GREAT!” I love the fact that we get to see the Prez as strong as he was portrayed tonight. I was surprised at a number of things, like the armored car crash ruse and the fact the show ended with a hanging and wondered if that was a subliminal reminder of SoDamnInsane’s hanging recently. All in all, I got a lot of satisfaction out of this episode, and my hunch that Audrey was still alive was borne out. Good job!
April 9th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Wow, I watched this episode with one of my friends who hasnt watched 24 since season 4 so I had to spend the first 20 minutes explaining everything, but that was when it got better. During the fake attack, I kept track of Jack’s kills, come to find out that they were not real, but jack made up for it in the end.
I think that tom deserves atleast 20 points for his explanation of how he got VP Booth to stop his appeal.
Audrey has to be in LA, there is no way she is in china. I dont like that chinese guy that much at all, I saw him and wanted to spit on him.
Go Get’em Jack
April 9th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
I’m not sure it said whose plan it was. But it was a good trick. It was a bit sadistic how Jack killed Fayed, but totally awesome, too. I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about how 24 is just a show about torture and death - whatever. I’m glad Audrey is alive. Now Jack can go on his usual ass kicking spree.
So, where is Audrey? We know she was China trying to find Jack, but since there’s only 7 episodes left then maybe she’s in LA. But the guy gave Jack a 301 area code number which is Maryland. ???
April 10th, 2007 at 12:58 am
@ the other aaron:
Your last question is the same as mine… With only 7 hours left, there’s no way Jack could fly to China, as the last 7 episodes would show Jack on a plane… so unless they have a teleporter, she has to be somewhere nearby.
Also, that 301 area code is probably just his cell, which means he might not necessarily be in Maryland.
We’ll see next week!
April 10th, 2007 at 1:11 am
I think they’re in China but I don’t think Jack is going to be traveling to China yet; that would take too long. My bet is that he will be forced to do some tough things against his will in LA in order to save Audrey.
April 10th, 2007 at 6:29 am
I don’t have much to say about the episode itself except that I’ve been waiting to see Jack kick this much ass for a long time now. Fayed actually looked scared when it came down to only him and Jack left in the warehouse.
On another note: Today is the birthday of our friend Tom Lennox…err…Peter MacNicol. I think we should leave a message for him either on the site or maybe draft a message to leave for him either on the 24 Forums or the Nextel (which I have the number for saved to my cell)
April 10th, 2007 at 6:49 am
Have we all forgotten about Jack’s dad???
April 10th, 2007 at 6:55 am
Who cares about Jack’s Dad? There’s too much ass kicking going on for me to notice.
April 10th, 2007 at 7:28 am
I’ve missed the episode but I am really happy Audrey is alive. Do you think she’s on american soil? Actually, she kinda has to be, otherwise Jack would be spending the reminder of the season on a plane headed for china. Anyways, the rest of the season should be great!
April 10th, 2007 at 8:03 am
I was certain the call at the end was gonna be Jack’s Dad. I never would’ve guessed Audrey would make an appearance. How this is all connected with the nukes is anyone’s guess…
Oh, and one other thing: Fayed did something with one of the suitcase nukes. He may have just been trying to activate it, or maybe he started a timer - anyone else spot this?
April 10th, 2007 at 8:22 am
I fell for the trap, didn’t like last weeks episode too much, but thankfully the president showed everyone he was bluffing and has enormous balls. Also, Jack Bauer singlehandedly rampaging terrorism to it’s knees was fantastic. I loved this episode
April 10th, 2007 at 9:17 am
It was obviously Jack’s plan.
The Fake Rescue went back to the Prequel when Jack was in China. It stuck with him, and he in turned used it.
Thats the difference between 20 months and 20 mintues in captivity.
The whole tunnel escape harkend back to Dina Arraz and the Chubby Rain dude in Season 4.
The 1 on 100? Aaron hit it - The Dresen’s at the end of season 1.
And the hanging? That’s not Jack Bauer, that’s John McClain - Die Hard: With A Vengance.
From here, Wayne has to Sack the Bats, while and Powers Boothe wont’ support Jack who has to go vigilante to get Audrey Raines back.
They said they don’t write but about 4 or 5 eps in advance, which means they knew the season wasn’t going great.
So when Audrey’s show got cancelled (The Ni9e) they contacted her and brought her back.
The Ricky Schroder “you’re bleeding” thing has to go somewhere.
April 10th, 2007 at 9:53 am
“Fayed’s country” didn’t know Samir was dead as soon as he said it?
April 10th, 2007 at 10:27 am
Last nights episode was by far the best we’ve seen all season. I loved it. It had deception, violence, jack against crazy odds, jack hanging onto the bottom of a truck, dealth threats against a terrorist family… what more could you ask for. i have to say this episode gave me a new found respect for president palmer. Well done!!!!! and also i have one question to ask… why would the chinese do this to themselves? they got lucky by tourtouring jack and getting away with it. why would the push their luck, and give jack one more reason…
April 10th, 2007 at 10:55 am
24 Episode 17–10:00p.m.-11:00p.m….
Up until the last few minutes, this episode was good but not great. After the last few minutes I want to put it right up there with one of the best episodes this season….
April 10th, 2007 at 11:20 am
This episode was pretty good in its heart stopping action. It had three twists: 1) Palmer faking everyone out, Jack’s fake death leading to Fayed’s escape and the call from China.
Unfortunately, lots of spoke about no payload on the missiles, Audrey not really being dead and how it was impossible for Jack to really die after getting shot. (Dang those previews!)
So despite some of the predictability, it was still a good episode.
April 10th, 2007 at 11:31 am
This episode was fantastic. I just watched it again, and it just gives me a big smile.
Ben and the other aaron, the number that Cheng gave Jack to call back was (310)597-3781. It was not in the Maryland 301 area code, it was the L.A. 310 area code. Which means…? Yes, they must be in L.A.! Looking forward to the rescue already.
–marc
April 10th, 2007 at 11:34 am
I would also like to know what the Chinese are doing? Can’t they just let things go? We pay them a lot of money and we get Jack back. it’s a win-win situation, but…no. For some reason they are still pissed about a little incident that took place at the embassy a few years back. Let it go, man. Also, wasn’t the consulate shot by a fellow Chinese officer? I don’t remember.
April 10th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Between Jack storming into a building full of terrorists by himself (again), his fight with Fayed, and brining the chinese and audrey back, that was the best episode of the season. Why is 24 always so freakin awesome!??!
April 10th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
JACK IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can’t wait until next episode where he goes DARK (again).
April 10th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Sorry to be the spoiler here but I thought the last episode was the WORST EVER in the way they just ended the whole suitcase nuke thing and started a whole new show in a matter of minutes. It was like they ran out of stuff to write and someone said “let’s just start a whole new story line”. What a cop out. I was totally disappointed and felt we had been cheated out of a full season of episodes. Shame on the 24 writers.
April 10th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
Mikdzmom, this isnt the first time 24 had done this. I think every season ends the main storyline and something larger happens with many hours to still go.. i dont know why you are so surprised
This was the 3rd best episode in my opinion of this season. Episode 16 was the second, and episode 4 the best so far. Im very interested to see whats about to happen next.. its safe to say Jack is back
April 10th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
I finally watching Monday’s episode tonight. Personally, I think this was by far the best episode of the season, if not the best episode in 24 history! It was intense from start-to-finish. There was something to wonder about the entire episode: Did President Palmer go nuts? Did Jack just get killed? Will Fayed realize the ‘rescue’ was staged? Will Fayed get away? Will jack double his kill count?! I loved every second of this episode. …well, except for the Milo/Nadia saga that lasted a couple minutes. But overall, I thought this episode was inanely awesome. We even got another Vampire Bite from Jack! …except it was a hand he bit instead of a neck. Way to keep using those teeth, Jack! And don’t look now, but Jack is at 23 kills! And you KNOW he’s gonna go on a rampage when he gets his hands on the Chinese!!!
April 10th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
The scene that set things straight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG9QPHnsWEU
April 10th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
I think the snukes aren’t out of play just yet.. there is 2 options :
1: Doyle snaches them , revealing himself as a mole
2: Jack is forced to steal them, and nuke something to save Audrey
3: the same as no.2, but Audrey is playing Jack all along. Jack’s dad is pulling Audrey’s strings…
I think 2 or 3 would be best for a season 7 follow up… who’s with me ?
April 11th, 2007 at 4:37 am
I am, but there are still 7 hours to go in this season! One (or more!) of those could be done.
April 14th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
Just for the record, when the “terrorists” ambushed Jack and Doyle, they were shooting blanks, and Jack might have had a vest but that didnt have anything to do with it.
May 1st, 2009 at 5:28 am
Pretty Good