Blow by Blow Review: "24" May 2nd, 2005

The story is coming down to the wire and last episode left us in the kind and apparently skilled gun-toting hands of Chloe: What lay in store for us this episode? Get your flame-retardant suits on folks because it's gettin' hot! On to this weeks:

Blow by Blow Review: "24" May 2nd, 2005

-- "Hello, Aaron..." One of the hallmarks of President Palmers administration was the relationship he had with "Aaron" an actor that has played a Secret Service Agent so many times that I have to wonder if he actually was one at one time. The dude with the red hair and mono-tone but commanding voice with a dash of southern drawl has been on a great many shows. Good to see him return even if it's brief.

-- Reaching Across the Table: Is It Realistic? While we're certainly not looking at a nclear situation with employing President Clinton for Tsunami relief, would the situation EVER dictate an administration going across party lines to employ the negotiating skills (or insert some other apparent skill) to help our nation out of a jam? I just want to believe it but wow; I just don't ever see an administration recovering from that regardless of the outcome. The experience that Palmer brings, but man: What kind of consequences will the administration face? Is it an attempt to swing the blame should something go wrong? What do you think?

-- An S Series Nuke - What Would It Do? Checking the Internet I found some interesting items when I typed in an "S Series Nuclear weapon -- in particular the research in regard to the dispersion of bio and chemical weaponry. Check out the links provided here to marvel at what can be found with a simple Google search.

-- Proxy Moxy: I just about fell out of my chair when President Logan says that he's offering David the "full authority to act as a proxy for the President of the United States in this crisis." Amazingly strange and sadly necessary.

-- Mike Acts as Go Between: I really like the actor that plays "Mike in the Middle" and have liked him even though he was a turncoat in the last season. They've been able to set him in the center of the action and it's good to see him work.

-- Jacks Use of "Nuculer": Apparently Jack went to the same school of diction that Bush went to: Just for review:

nu·cle·ar (nkl-r, ny-) adj.

1. Biology. Of, relating to, or forming a nucleus: a nuclear membrane.
2. Physics. Of or relating to atomic nuclei: a nuclear chain reaction.
3. Using or derived from the energy of atomic nuclei: nuclear power.
4. Of, using, or possessing atomic or hydrogen bombs: nuclear war; nuclear nations.


-- Mem4xp.com: You've got to wonder what kind of traffic this website got after it was aired in this episode. Strangely, there's nothing at all at this address. That's kind of a missed opportunity by Fox if you ask me. Imagine all the crap that would have been put up for sale at that site?

-- Edgar and Chloe - Skilled and Triumphant: It's taken me a while here, but I've finally figured out what Chloe and Edgar are masters of: biting off hands extended in friendship/assistance.

-- Chinese Consulate Offers 2-3 Hour Decision-Making Services? The best estimate that the Chinese Consulate can give is 2-3 hours. Why not offer up that they think that the device is in the immediate area and that their office will be effected? :) I get that it's more dramatic to say "2-3 hours" but is that realistic?

-- Taking Up Position Across the Street From the Consulate? Jack, Curtis and Company take up position across the street from the consulate, in plain site of everyone, everything, etc. Wouldn't the Chinese be keeping an eye on the street for things like - oh, say - vans with no markings parking on the block, sitting doing nothing or perhaps people donning masks and quick moves towards the consulate?

-- Superb Relationship Conveyed: President Palmer says: "if it was anyone else I wld ask but I already know the answer." when referring to Jack's decision to forray into the consulate to retreive the errent Chinaman. Excellent relationship marshalling by the writers.

-- "We're Goin' In" Whoo hoo! I just about needed one of my daughters Pampers when they said this: it's like revisiting old school "24" seasons when they pull stuff like this and once again: It's INTOXICATING!

-- "Suit Up": More wonderfully evocative stuff here from the team superb, and much more realistic than previously. Masks and equipment here should have made their way in front of camera long ago.

-- Masks On - Non-Lethal Force a Must: What other show would provide you with the opportunity to see a dude, taking on an entire consulate of Chinese dudes with a dart gun!? :) Intoxicating!

-- The Truth About Tranquilizer Darts: Despite their prolific use, Tranquilizer Darts are a very dicy proposition. You have to actually have the weight of the person that you're shooting for them to be effective. Too much tranquilizer and you might just kill someone. Too little and all you'll do is piss them off. Thankfully, it looks like they used the same stunt guys in many of the scenes so I think they're ok :)

Shooting at the Two of Them With the Dude Draped Over Jack?? If the guy is that expendible, why wouldn't they just give the dude to CTU for interrogation? I am amazed that they weren't able to kill him and Jack outright.

An Interpreter Becomes the Hero: Being an ex-interpreter, I can't tell you how satisfying seeing an interpreter in the middle of all this fostering communication to fruition. What other show does something like this? Answer? None! :)

Lee Wants Protection -- Jack Gives Immunity and Free Travel? What's up with Jack's giving nature? Lee only asked for protection: The best place for that? In CTU where he can bust out another can of interoggative whoo-ass! Yeeehaw!

Name That Show: Name any other show that shows us two characters, one a love interest of our hero's love interest, in a hospital room where the hero will put a gun to a doctor to operate on the guy that will be able to potentially tell us the next step in a nuke hunt? In case you were trying the answer is there ISN'T ONE. This show is riveting, heartbreaking and exhilarating all at the same time and is the sole reason that television has life in our house.

And so, we're caught up. We're 22 minutes into this week's episode and so it's time to start the DVR unit and guess what: we'll be able to whistle by all the commercials! Snort!