Good things come to those who wait: Dana (or is it…Jenny?) haters finally got the resolution they were longing for from this C-story about a gal, an ex-con, and his loco buddy Nick. Tonight, a silencer-packing Dana followed Kevin and Nick to an isolated park, where she pressed her lips together and plotted the exact moment when she’d leave her sedan and blow her adversaries to smithereens. But dammit, what’s this? It’s Cole coming to foil her plans, thanks to a little meddling from Arlo who managed to convince Freddy Prinze Jr’s alter-ego that the nuclear rods will have to wait – he’s got a far more explosive situation unfolding with his fiancee!
Finally, Buffy’s hubby got to utter more than a quarter-page of dialogue (even though his weak attempt at a Brooklyn dialect made me wishing this show was back in L.A.). Though clearly pissed off at Dana – who admitted her real identity and the fact that she’s a convicted felon – Cole still gave Kevin and Nick the chance to skip town as long as they didn’t return. Huh? Up until this point, Cole seemed like a stand-up law dog, but letting these two douches skedaddle made about as much sense as Dana prancing in the wild while wearing a short skirt and heels. No matter; Nick made the far more plausible decision to stab Kevin and go after Cole himself, but not before Kevin could shout out a warning to his Jenny, giving Cole a chance to end this whole mess once and for all. The scene ends with Nick bleeding out and Dana cradling a dying Kevin in her arms, which suggests that maybe she had more than just ill feelings toward her fellow con. Judging by the teaser for next week, however, this arc that you find frustrating but I found mildly entertaining is far from over.
And who knew CTU medical could do wonders for a gal’s complexion? Renee emerged this week looking as fresh and pretty as a bundle of daisies, even though the pink in the cheeks disappeared as soon as that gal from Justice started interrogating her about Vladimir’s death. Sent at the personal request of Rob Weiss, it’s now Justice’s job to find a reason to hang the failure of this mission on Renee’s shoulders – something Jack picked up on immediately (almost too immediately) when he arrived back to CTU. But there’s just one problem: Justice – in this case, Kristin Smith - was right to treat Renee like a hostile witness. After all, Renee did lie about how Vlad met his maker. She did stab him 15 times out of revenge, not self defense. She was an angry woman seeking vengeance, not a damsel in distress who was fighting for her life. Wasn’t Kristin actually doing her job well here?
That was no concern for Jack, who first took out a guard and then put a chokehold on Kristin, all while muttering “How dare you? After all (Renee’s) lost, have you no decency?” I don’t know about that, but she certainly appears to have no worth – at least not to Hastings, who seemed all too quick to forgive Jack this little trangression if it meant keeping him on the mission (it was either him or some ROTC graduate who looked way too young to scout the city for bad guys and nukes). Wow, not only does Renee dodge another bullet but she’s managed to commandeer Jack’s heart, too…at least that’s what I think she got, judging by this short and cryptic exchange: Renee, “Jack, I don’t know how to say this so I’m just going to say it cuz I need to make sure I’m not misunderstanding but… when you said that I have you ….” Jack, “I meant it like it sounded.” Renee, “So now what do we do?” Jack, “We’ll figure it out.” Seriously, my fellow 24 admirers, could Jane Austen have written it any better?
And now back to those nukes. I blanched at how swift Josef agreed to give up those rods before the opening credits were done rolling, but the arrangement was short-lived – Farhad immediately took him out (oh no, Sergei lost yet another son!) and grabbed the nukes for himself. At least, that’s what he thought: Farhad’s partners-in-crime Samir and Marcos (Rami Malek – recognize him as Ahkmenrah from Night at the Museum?) had a much bigger plan in play; since there was no shipping the rods out of the country, Ali and his crew would detonate the bombs on U.S. soil. Fearful of making an enemy out of America, Farhad manages to escape and contact CTU. It’s now Jack’s job to retrieve Farhad before Samir kills him, instead.
In all, I actually had a swell time watching Kevin and Nick get their just reward tonight and I am eagerly awaiting the return of Fantastic Sam next week, who’s now looking at the possibility of President Taylor ordering a full-on attack on his country because of Samir’s threats. The nerve! So what do you think? Are you blissfully satisfied that Kevin and Nick are gone? Are you in agreement that a giant can be toppled by a single stone? And how lovely did Annie look tonight?
I’m going to stop reading this recap….
Seriously. Stop recapping this show if you don’t like it. Seriously.
I think it’s a good thing Lynette’s recapping 24 instead of more receptive 24 fans. They would’ve ripped this episode apart. At least Lynette’s having fun with it.
Again, I think EW would be hard-pressed to find a writer who could put together a complete sentence AND also had the capacity to enjoy this absolute trainwreck of a season. Thank god this looks like it’s going to be 24′s last stand as the show could not endure even one more plotline as ludicrous as the ones this year has brought us.
Can anyone explain how Josef moved those highly radioactive rods from the transport truck to his van? There was no equipment capable of that in the area, he shot the other two guys dead, and it took a crane for the gang of generic-Arab bad guys to hoist the suckers. Those rods are URANIUM. Roughly twice as dense as lead, so each rod conservatively weighed half a ton. Even if they weren’t so radioactive that they gave Josef’s brother a fatal dose of RADs from a single exposure, Josef would get a hernia from trying to lift even one of them.
Yeah, I know we have to suspend some disbelief on this show. (Chloe the data analyst is also an interrogator whose skills consist of “write everything down and I’ll spell check it”? Her boss during CTU’s biggest crisis in years disappears on a regular basis, and plots robbery of a police station on an unmonitored cellphone? Jack’s abdominal stab wound is treated with a band-aid?) but c’mon, we’re not 5-year-olds and the credulity is way beyond the straining point this season!
Good riddance.
“Copy That!”
Has anyone out there been keeping an official “Body Count” in the season thus far? Seems like that every 8 hours or so we get a fresh new set of villians to replace the ones they’ve already killed off.
Just askin’…
It’s like the cartoon where as soon as one fish eats another fish, a few moments later another bigger fish comes along and eats that one. And so on and so on. It’s pretty ridiculous. Best not to think too much, and just do another shot every time Hastings tilts his head down and uses the word ‘situation.’
“Seriously, my fellow 24 admirers, could Jane Austen have written it any better?”
Ha! That cracks me up. Well, guess Agent BoyScout is in deep trouble now thanks to Starbucks. Way to show gratitude, Dana! How are you going to explain both your absences from CTU, Cole? You’ve ruined your career no thanks to a stupid sub-plot!
Will the President’s Chief of Staff turn out to be the next baddie? Will Jack ever move to LA?
I was wondering the same thing chattypatra, Just Rob weiss’s aditude on the phone made me think something’s rotten in the state of Denmark. I don’t trust the guy.
It’s all in the aditude, hope.
Lynette Rice is obviously a 24 hater. I cant believe she gets paid to be subjective about television shows, what a job.
A recap is as far from a “subjective” enterprise as possible.
I think she did a good job on this one.
I agree
Look, I LOVE 24. I have loved this show from the beginning, I even stuck with it through the neverending Kim crap. But this season has been BORING, and there’s not much of interest to write about. Lynette’s done as good a job as she can recapping a show that I don’t want to mainline like I used to.
24 rocks.and wel gud ridance to nick and his pal.they were taxing to watch.and jane austin seriously.
My favorite part about this entire wretched storyline is that it all ended in a VAN down by the RIVER! (I mean, where else could this pathetic plot line come to a conclusion…just perfect.)
LOL
Bwaa haa haa!!!
These guys and their van reminded me of season 1′s Dan and Rick. And yes, I did actually say in my head “in a van down by the river!” during the episode
I Obviously like Agent Renee Better than Emo Renee Dont ya think?
That was a good episode. Forget the Haters, 24 season 8 rocks.
I enjoyed Cole in his own state of badassery,loving that boy:D I was thrilled when Kevin and Nick got their just desserts ’bout time too.
Jack’s confrontation with Hastings about him trying to cover his tracks was awesome and so like my JB. I loved how protective Jack is to Renee, it’s been that way with all the Bauer Girls (what? Jack Bauer can’t have his own ‘Bond Chicks?’ ) I liked the call back to season 1 when Jack was the Head of CTU that was neat as well. Next week looks like it’s gonna be good.
Thank you! I completely agree. This season is my favorite so far. I love the twists and turns. I love an emotionally charged Jack Bauer which is what we have now. And I’m sorry but Renee Walker continues to steal this show.
Honestly, if you can’t get behind season 8 it’s because you don’t care about anything besides terrorism and unbridled action. Well that’s been played. This is a show about personal hardships and the test of values to each character. Renee has already changed from someone with no cares or desires in life, to someone who now cares about living because of Jack.
And there’s Jack. In the beginning he was in a perfect place. A Grandpa about to go to LA with his family. Completely at peace. Enter Renee and he has someone to protect again. Renee has given him every reason to stay with CTU, to watch over here and to help with this terrorist threat.
And finally, I hope it’s not just me that sees this, but finally we have a CTU director in Brian Hastings who has an open mind. Finally we have a guy playing that role who can act.
I disagree with what you said about the CTU director. This is my first season of watching and I see him as a very poor actor, disappointing for what one would expect for a person in his position. Hopefully he will be replaced before the season ends.
And who vetted Dana?
It’s surprising to me that there are people who don’t like Renee…I think she is far and away the best part of the season so far. They really struck gold with Annie Wersching.
Whoever’s playing the role of Brian Hastings is simply terrible. I’ve watched 24 since its inception, and he’s by far the worst major character I’ve yet seen.
@Bear24 – even worse than Wayne Palmer? C’mon.
Hastings is being played by Forrest Gump’s friend, “Bubba”. And I think he’s doing fine in this part.
It’s not bubba! You’re freaking stupid. He’s from Heat. But yes, he is doing fine. Actually more than fine. He’s a far better actor than what 24 has ever had at CTU director.
To ksoze:
I disagree. Wayne Palmer was a decent supporting character in seasons 3 and 5. His run as president was pretty bad in season 6, though.
And as much as I detest Hastings, nothing can top Jack wannabe Mike Doyle in season 6. He was a terribly written character with no charisma or likability whatsoever.
to maximus03- no. he’s not freaking stupid. It is the same actor who played Bubba in Forrest Gump AND also in Heat. Mykelti Williamson is the actor’s name and here is his imdb profile. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0932112/
I also love this season! 24 can do no wrong in my mind. I’ve never hated a season before. And I absolutely loved that exchange between Renee and Jack. It’s about time we got rollin’ in that direction. And I thought it was hilarious how Jack pulled the “I’ll just call the President” card on Hastings. Sure it backfired but whatever. The Dana-Kevin-Nick storyline needs to end. Please.
well season 6 sucked and I thought season 5 was pretty annoying with the first family constantly bickering. I couldn’t stand that crap. Just kept my finger on the fast forward button every time they came on screen.
Yes! Cole was very badass. Lovin it! And I liked the reference to season 1. When he said that, I said “Yep, he sure was in Hastings’ chair” to my son, who was like, 1, when season 1 was on. From one Hope to another!
lol i know we Hopes need to stick together;D
I agree! I’m totally into this season! I like Jack stepping up to the CTU director. I like watching this different side of Renee and seeing a change in her character. I’m waiting in anticipation for Jack and Renee to get together, lol! I like the sub-plot with Dana and Cole. It creates a little bit of tension. For those saying season 8 sucks, have you seen season 6?
How was CTU not able to track down Farhad’s cell phone? Secure line? They were connected for like 5 minutes.
Why did they need a connection at all? The phone constantly broadcasts its presence to the nearest cell towers as long as its powered up.
There are SO many implausibilities this season, it’s impossible to keep track with them all. This is now definitely a contender for the worst 24 season ever. Let’s see if it can unseat Season 6.
you’re a joke. STFU already. just go home dude
I’m excited that Jack’s magic bag is back in action. Did you see how he slung the strap of that sac over his shoulder with authority. I just know Jack’s got an Uzi, deninator, night goggles, and some magic beans in that bag. LOVE IT!!! LOL
Ha ha!!! I knew that bag was magical! And once I saw him sling the strap over his shoulder I was like, “Yeah. Captain Bad-A is back in business”
took me back to season 5 actually. He spent the whole day with that bag over his shoulders and it totally made him look even hotter
So, are the writers setting this up that Renee dies and Jack loses his $#!+ at the end of this season to avenge her demise?
I’ve just never been that excited about a female foil for Jack. The man has better things to do – save the world – than to be bothered with some chick.
Refreshing to hear a woman say that!!”The man has better things to do – save the world – than to be bothered with some chick.?
nobody cares what or what doesn’t excite you.
Elizabeth, I couldn’t agree with you more. I don’t know why they keep insisting on providing Jack with a love interest. This isn’t a romantic comedy, it’s an action drama about foiling baddies and saving the world. It’s ridiculous and a distraction to have this Jack/Renee thing. I think Renee should grab her gun and blow her brains out now so we can get on with the rest of the season.
Agreed 100% with Irene & Elizabeth. Get rid of Renee and get back to Jack kicking serious butt!
In real life when it gets to the point you fiancee is tracking your GPS coordinates via satellite its time to end it. Dana looked ridiculously silly out in the woods with the silencer and look she dragged Cole down with her. What kind of CTU head of field ops runs off during the middle of a nuclear crisis? This plot line, albeit amusing, just get sillier and more farfetched. The women, except chloe, are all damsels in distress this season which is slightly annoying. Can we get a baddie like Nina next season please? Loved when Jack was like “I’m in” and switched his man bag to cross body to mean he was ready for action. Hastings was so easy to manipulate. Owen in charge (with his straight out of CTU training school ops plan) was alarming to say the least. I wonder if Jack gets paid, and how much, when he clocks in and out during times of crises? By the hour or lump sum? Does he get benefits like health or life insurance?
I got a hunch the chief of staff is the mole this time around. His acting is pretty pathetic which has been the dead giveaway for most of the moles in this series.
This was a FANTASTIC episode of 24!!! Too bad it was on against the Olympics. Jack and Renee rock! Hastings isn’t so bad, and it looks like Taylor might have a mole in her administration. So happy 24′s gotten back to form, too bad it took 8 episodes.
It helped that the horrific Dana subplot was relegated to a few minutes at the end. After suffering through so much of this, I expected it to be a big focus and was surprised the conclusion of felt like an after thought to the rest of the episode. I really wonder if the producers cut out some of Dana’s scenes considering how badly the whole subplot’s been received. Not complaining, but the episode would have been better if Dana’d been taken out as well.
Poor Kim!!! Daddy lets her down yet again, and this time just to save Renee, not save the world. In this up-and-down season, the more Jack-centric the better . . . just wish Dana were dead, too.
What are you talking about? Kim told Jack to help at CTU. He wanted to leave, but she told to stay and it sounded like she really meant it.
Dear EW,
please assign someone else to write this recap, for us fans of 24, reading this recap is the worst part of the week. Sincerely, everyone.
Pffh. Don’t lump all 24 fans together with you disenchanted readers. Lynette’s making the best of this increasingly crummy seasons. This episode deserved no glowing recap. It was lousy.
k, normally I’m with you 100% with your opinions but how the f*ck can you call this episode lousy? Don’t you see the emotion of this season? At least the twists and turns of the terrorist plot have to get someone who doesn’t care about that type of character conflict going.
Personally, this is my favorite season so far because of the emotion tied to it. Finally we get to see REAL characters. People who are going thru things like a will to live or a troubled past rather than just being robots trying to evade yet another terrorist plot on their work day.
I’ve been patient with this season, since it was going a decent direction since re-introducing Renee, but last night’s episode was a kick to the nads.
I made a long rant in page two about why I hated it, but here are my reasons:
*CTU NYC is ineptly run. Hastings’s willing to sell out Renee, who put her life on the line for a guy who almost raped her, yet seems nonchalant about Dana and Cole sneaking out constantly in the middle of a crisis. Jack’s colleagues and bosses (even Larry Moss last year) would’ve ripped Jack a new one for trying to do that, let alone less respected employees. You think I’m being too critical? Re-watch season 1′s much more meticulous CTU staff and contrast it with this version. They’re not even close.
*The terrorists are underdeveloped and the imminent threat of nuclear rods is ho hum at best. When the villains are so interchangable and ambivalent (and not in a good way, especially Farhad), how am I supposed to fear these guys the way CTU and The White House representatives do?
*Dana and Kevin. Enough said.
Sorry man, but I really loathed this episode.
Bob, thanks for speaking for all of us 24 fans. That was highly presumptious of you. Lynette cannot make gold out of horse manure. This season is absolutely abysmal and one of the only highlights of actually sticking with the show to see if it can pull itself out of this nosedive it’s in is coming here to read Lynette’s recap.
Bob, actually, thank you seriously for speaking for everyone on here because no one could have said it better. Lynette needs to go!
The recaps haven’t been that bad IMO but maybe I just skim them and really look at them so you guys see stuff I don’t. Thanks for the suggestion Bob.
Bob’s absolutely right. Get rid of Lynette and get rid of Nihilistic.
Really, the recap is the worst part of your week? You can only work with what you’re given, and this season is swiftly veering into Season 6 Darth Bauer silliness. Lemme get this straight: You want nuclear fuel rods for your country, so you do the deal in the U.S.???? The top CTU analyst’s ex-boyfriend is a laughably inept criminal????
Don’t hate the playa, hate the show.
Is it just me or does it not even feel like the shows set in NY this season. I know they could only shoot there a certain amount of time, but since maybe episode 2 I haven’t felt like their even trying to convince us. Here’s hoping the show’s producers are just saving all the good NY stuff for the daytime portion.
Seriously, it’s like someone has a list of neighborhood names in NYC and just randomly chooses names of places. I particularly enjoyed that the nuclear rods were in a boat warehouse in Forest Hills… a neighborhood that not only DOESN’T have warehouses but is the nicest neighborhood in Queens. And then when they did the satellite view… I mean, just say Long Island City or Dutch Kills!
I don’t know why they filmed in NY if they weren’t going to make and effort to make it look like NY or have appropriate references.
This! I was in complete disbelief. Don’t they have consultants that can say…I’m sorry but shady warehouses don’t exist in this part of queens, try again.
This happens ALL THE TIME in movies, on TV shows. Neighborhoods, streets, etc are no where close to the actual locations in the cities the show/movie is in. I’m a former Las Vegas resident and CSI used to (and still does) drive all of us CRAZY because the places they talked about didn’t even exist!! Streets were in totally different areas, etc. But that’s the nature of the game. (I’m also a born and raised Chicagoan – I don’t even want to START on the mistakes I’ve seen!!!)
I think it’s funny when people say “There isn’t even a warehouse in that part of Queens! The geography is all wrong!” No s*** Sherlock! It’s fiction. There’s no Jack Bauer and no President Taylor. Fiction people, fiction.
Wrong, Allo. If they’re going to take great pains to move a show across the country, buy an effing map. Good fiction = not too lazy to do a little research.