TV Recap: 24 – 8:00-9:00

By Jeff Olson
March 10, 2009

24 is at its best when Jack Bauer goes rouge. When he fails to obey his chain of command the show is outstanding. This season Jack has been pushing the line with his conflicts of obeying orders or doing what he believes is the right thing to do. Jack does respect authority, but only if he agrees with it. In last night’s episode Jack once again saved the President of the United States (They should put this guy on their payroll) and has now begun to uncover a larger government conspiracy. What I love about 24 is that it is never really over. Every bad guy has a boss, and his boss has a boss. You just have to continue killing these guys until you get to the top of the food chain. The top of this chain appears to be the mysterious John Voight.

I think bringing Voight into the cast as a villain was a good move. He is an incredible actor, and his role reminds me of Dennis Hoppers turn as a villain in season one, as Victor Drazen. We still do not know what is going on with Voight, who he really is, or what he has planned; but the mystery is very alluring.

So what happened last night? Here is the recap:

President Taylor had been taken hostage by General Juma and is being forced to read a confession of crimes, the U.S has committed, on a live Internet feed. Jack, of course, does not let this happen. Prior to vacating the secure holding room with the President, Jack opened up a gas valve (yes, I know, very convenient) which released a large amount of gas into the room where the hostages were being held. Jack’s plan was to run into the safe room, draw fire from Juma’s men, and from the gun-fire, cause a spark to ignite the gas which will explode killing the bad guys. Like I have said before, 24 does not sound good on paper, but go watch this scene, it is totally bad ass.

Jack explains his plan to Bill Buchanan, who takes it upon himself to lead the suicide mission. Bill runs towards the safe room, grabs a gun, fires the gun, and a massive explosion occurs. The explosion wiped out several of Juma’s men – but not all. Agent Aaron Pierce grabs a gun and rescues the President and her daughter. Jack grabs a gun and kills General Juma.

Once the dust has settled, Jack informs agents Moss and Walker that Juma was not working alone. Moss ignores Jack’s information and has him handcuffed and taken back to FBI headquarters. Before Jack is taken away, Agent Walker talks to President Taylor’s Chief of Staff and informs him of the intel. The order is given for Jack to not be detained, but instead to go the hospital where Ryan Burnett is being treated; and for Jack to continue his interrogation of Burnett, to find out who else is involved in the conspiracy.

Jack begins to interrogate Burnett, but not before one of the bad guys (sent by John Voight) deposits a nerve gas into the hospital room disabling Jack. The bad guy, named Quinn, then kills Barnett, escapes, and implicates Jack in the murder. Once the nerve gas dissipates, Jack realizes what has happened and escapes the hospital. He calls Agent Moss and tells his he has to handle this on his own. Like I said, Jack Bauer going rouge is really bad ass.

Those were the main points from last night’s episode. Did you enjoy it?