S09.E11: Day 9: 9:00 PM-10:00 PM

[Pike Ludwell]

BTW, the Chinese do not actually have any fully operational aircraft carriers. They bought an old one in 1998 from Russia to restore to make into a casino, but the holding co. couldn't get the casino license from Macau, so China will use it for now as a testing place for scientific research until they get a competent crew, which could take 4 years. "All of the great nations in the world own aircraft carriers," said Qi Jianguo, assistant to the chief of the PLA's general staff. "They are symbols of a great power."

Edited July 8, 2014 by Democritus

[bagert]

Audrey must have Cartwright blood if she continues to lose husbands.

 

Wow - a Bonanza reference?  (Ben Cartwright was widowed three times before the show began.)

[PJamma]

So I gather that 24 is actually "12" this time around.

 

Secret Service lets a known loose cannon (who is no longer even a US intelligence agent) into a room with the President without disarming him first? Normally this is one of those things that would wreck my suspension of disbelief. But this is 24, so what the heck. Sure, Jack Bauer can carry a gun anywhere he wants, because he's Jack Bauer, dammit!

 

I now watch every episode thinking "Let Jack Bauer be great, damn it!" So yes, he should be able to carry a gun where no other civilian would be able to openly carry a gun without being shot.

[beedub]

Wait an hour or two till we can sort this out, and if we don't, you can retaliate then."

Loved this, because being asked this one favour is probably what every enemy in every war ever has wanted most to be asked. ;-)

 

I agree that this episode was an especially grievous credulity-stretcher, on many fronts.

 

Here's one major plot hole, but please steer me straight if I'm missing something: If Cheng and the Russian Walrus were indeed in cahoots all along, with RW angling for the rendition of Jack, why was Cheng so surprised to see Bauer on the CCTV cam? He seemed genuinely shocked at his presence, like Jack was the last person he expected to show up, when in fact he should have known he was involved in the day's goings-on.

 

But my biggest problem was with the Audrey meetup scene, and the high improbability that Cheng could have a) known this meeting was taking place, and b) in such a short amount of time gotten to the location of the meeting, and c) managed to set up shop in a conveniently-situated vantage point in a building (if I'm not mistaken) directly across from the open area where the meeting was taking place, with clear sight lines and within rifle range.

 

At the very least, maybe include a brief scene showing one of Cheng's henchman intercepting a phone call or transmission from Audrey's Chinese contact, giving the whole thing at least a shred of believability. Anyway.

 

Also loved Jack calling Mark "you idiot!". And then Mark's total hang-dog expression after that. Almost expected him to Charlie Brown-walk out of there with Jack, Arrested Development style.

 

And when Mark says that everything he did was in the service of "this country", he knows he's in England, right?

 

Add me to the list of those who cringe at the word "nucular". Not a word, never has been. But I think it's a 24 Tradition, as I'm sure I've heard Jack say it before in seasons past.

 

Anybody want to offer odds on the chance of Chloe encountering a cougar?

 

I had the same thought, but the only cougar you're likely to encounter in or around London (where the hell is she, anyway, Sherwood Forest?) is in a pub or disco.

[Pike Ludwell]

As to Chloe encountering a cougar, if this is to be the final 24 episode, the writers should go for it! Have some fun. It would be hilarious to long time 24 viewers. Then show the Veep as being Logan. Do all sorts of crazy 24-self-caricature stuff and have fun with it.

[6 MeowMeowBeenz]

Speaking of coincidences, it's a shame that the entire British police force, MI5, and military all took a vacation day the same day.

 

I work for a British company...they call it "holiday", not vacation :)

 

Or even better, random days off with no discernible reason for existing are "bank holidays". So perhaps that is what we are seeing, one of the many bank holidays on the shedule (sic)

 

I can't remember what scene it was, but there was a point where Heller was stating something blindingly obvious, like "Jack, you need to get Cheng". Derr Doi

[Iceman91]

 

Here's one major plot hole, but please steer me straight if I'm missing something: If Cheng and the Russian Walrus were indeed in cahoots all along, with RW angling for the rendition of Jack, why was Cheng so surprised to see Bauer on the CCTV cam? He seemed genuinely shocked at his presence, like Jack was the last person he expected to show up, when in fact he should have known he was involved in the day's goings-on.

 

 

From what I understand getting Jack was an official Moscow business  while working with Cheng is an unauthorized mission so the logical answer would be Walrus treated both as two different affairs and didn't inform Cheng because he didn't want him to interfere. 

This episode was a little subpar compared to the rest of the season, I think it would have been better to keep Cheng and the russians separated it was 24 being one dimensional and putting all its villains in a same basket and with the russian already dead it makes his involvement with Cheng useless for the story.

 

I didn't watch the preview but I don't see a big death in the final : Mark has play his role, I don't see why he would be involved newt week; Audrey is safe because they're not going to kill another love interest. Unless there is a surprise death in this case Heller because they already fake killed him once would be a surprise or Kate because nobody think she is in danger.

[Solid Muldoon]

I too had a problem with the puppy generals. The first word out of their mouths upon learning we sunk a Chinese carrier should have been, "Sir I suggest we go to Def-Con 3."

In fact, everybody on Heller's staff seems pretty young. Heller needs him a John Amos in an admiral's uniform.

[AV8n]

Killing off Kate would be a bold move, since she is the only character short of a resurrected Tony Almeida shown to be capable of taking on the lead role should (1) a season 10 become a reality and (2) Kiefer not want a part of it.

[kikaha]

It was very considerate of the Russians to step out from their protective cover, so Jack and Kate could mow them down. 

 

It was also very perceptive of Jack and Kate to move in such an elusive way that the Russians, despite their overwhelming numerical superiority and automatic weapons, missed with every round. 

 

Of course, Jack and Kate showed their Superman-like invincibility earlier when the truck slammed into their car and they escaped untouched and unhurt. 

 

Despite the absurdities (and this season has more than any I recall in the past: maybe due to Keifer's advancing years?), I'm still enjoying the ride.  Though Audrey seems as big a bimbo as ever:

 

"Audrey this is Jack..."

 

After a hushed silence, pregnant with emotion...

 

"Oh Jack I want your babies!"

[WhoAmIWorkingFor]

Seeing the truck hit again in the preview, it looks like Kate and Jack's vehicle should be a U-shape after being hit by the truck, and Kate should have spent some time unwinding herself from the side-curtain airbags that these newfangled cars have.  But they popped out just fine immediately.

 

Still hoping that someone managed to count their total rounds expended, because it was crazy.

 

So yeah, that and the house shootout were a lot more first-person shooter invulnerable than even this show has done on occasion.  Perhaps this just proves that Kate is as good as Jack; Jack singlehandedly took apart just about as many people in the leadup to the Russian ambassador last season, but he got hurt in the process.  With backup this time, neither of them get a scratch on themselves.

 

What might have been elephants in the room: Since Jack never did get to tell Audrey that he was using her husband as bait because her husband was AN IDIOT, I wonder how the conversation would have gone if Mark had gotten killed during that stunt.  Aside from the comedic fantasy version, of course.

 

There's quite a bit of potential now for crazy Audrey-centered manly self-sacrifice now.  Also, did President Heller talk during the preview, or might he be collapsing in the preview because perhaps he gets the news that Cheng has her?

Edited July 8, 2014 by WhoAmIWorkingFor

[benteen]

IGN brought up a great point that I noticed last night...Heller was WAY too casual when talking to the Chinese leader.  He sounded more like he was trying to explain how he dented the guy's car instead of how they sunk one of their carriers.

[WhoAmIWorkingFor]

IGN brought up a great point that I noticed last night...Heller was WAY too casual when talking to the Chinese leader. He sounded more like he was trying to explain how he dented the guy's car instead of how they sunk one of their carriers.

Because he didn't seem particularly apologetic? That's true; emphasizing the Cheng Zhi angle didn't help because the Premier was quite certain that Cheng was dead. (As Previously.TV's own recap put it quite well, "You're not going to believe this, but...") News before empathy sometimes, but not this time.

As far as Heller's overall speech and body language go, he's not too complicated. I suppose that removes some of the nuance from international diplomacy.

[mascan42]

So I guess those rumors of a time jump were all BS?

[Latverian Diplomat]

Sorry to nitpick this excellent writeup, but it's spelled "tout suite". That sort of spelling is what stealing from the French gets you.

[mwell345]

 

IGN brought up a great point that I noticed last night...Heller was WAY too casual when talking to the Chinese leader. He sounded more like he was trying to explain how he dented the guy's car instead of how they sunk one of their carriers.

 

I think alot of that is Devane.  I've seen him in many things over the years - back to Knot's Landing and he frequently has that casual way of speaking.  

 

I did not see the in the previews where he collapses.  Maybe it IS him in the coffin.  Although there would certainly be an honor guard at all times - you wouldn't see it all by itself. 

Edited July 9, 2014 by mwell345

[needschocolate]

It is trendy now to say that someone has "resting bitch face." William Devane has "resting kindly grandfather face."  No matter what crisis the country is in, no matter how bleak the future looks, Heller looks like he is just about to smile.  Jack walks in with information as the world is on the verge of World War 3 and Heller looks like he is saying "Oh, hi Jack.  My but you've grown.  Can I get you a cookie and a glass of milk?"

 

Logan had the look of fear and panic, Palmer had the look of authority, Heller has the look of "there, there now, everything will be alright." 

 

I haven't watched enough William Devane to know if this is just how he is or if he is acting this way in order to make it believable that Heller has alzheimers.  There doesn't seem to be much else that would signify that Heller suffers from alzheimers - no forgetting things not following what is going on - except for a bottle of pills. 

 

I can buy all these coincidences and timing issues, but I always get bogged down in the little insignificant things...

[Milburn Stone]

I haven't watched enough William Devane to know if this is just how he is or if he is acting this way in order to make it believable that Heller has alzheimers. 

 

He was a very casual villain in Hitchcock's last film Family Plot. But that kind of worked.

[henripootel]

Wait an hour or two till we can sort this out, and if we don't, you can retaliate then."

 

Loved this, because being asked this one favour is probably what every enemy in every war ever has wanted most to be asked. ;-)

Well, I was mostly kidding.  In reality, I'd expect the american president to say something more along the lines of "We've been the victim of terrorist action, as have the british, and now your country.  Our sincerest regrets, and we'll provide you proof and the scalps of those responsible in good time, in the meantime, don't fuck with us."

 

But it's 24 tradition that retribution has to happen within 30 minutes or less.  Like any military could find their car keys in less than 2 days.

[blackwing]

So I guess those rumors of a time jump were all BS?

I think the time jump is going to happen in the last 5 minutes.  The flag draped coffin scene looked like it was during daytime.  So I could see a 12 hour jump.  And I do think it's Mark that is dead.  Jack will be comforting Audrey on the tarmac as her husband's body is loaded on to the plane to take them back to the States.

[bagert]

Here's how everything gets worked into a single episode.  First have everything build up to a crescendo right up to the end of the last commercial break.  Then, this script sequence:

 

TWELVE HOURS LATER

Jack: That was a close one.  I must be getting old!

Chloe: Yeah, I think you actually got winded once or twice, sometime after dawn.  (Pause) Well, I'm outta here, see ya.

Jack: Wait, Chloe.  It's time for you to go home. [That last sentence is from the U.S. promo.]  That's what I'm doing.

Chloe: Well, we do have those presidential pardons - I just got mine a few minutes ago!  Besides, I hear with us gone that domestic terrorism is way up. (smirks)

[WhoAmIWorkingFor]

Then, this script sequence:

 

TWELVE HOURS LATER

So, the 24 equivalent of ending with "So the children learned how to function as a society, and eventually they were rescued by, oh, let's say... Moe."

[Raja]

Yes, when did the position of President's Daughter and Official Hostess become part of the chain of command?

 

I have a real hard time with all the so-called admirals and generals advising the president and none of them appear over 40, if that. Heller and Boudreau are the only 2 guys with any gray hair in the room.

 

 

They called the character played by Philip Winchester (blonde guy who plays Stonebridge on Strike Back) "Colonel". Why would a mere colonel (whether Army or Marines, doesn't matter) be in the inner circle of the President? And why would he be in a position of making decisions? Did all the generals (and I have to believe there are a lot of them) get killed off?

 

He was an Army Infantry Colonel. I too wondered what he was doing there. He did not have the distinctive uniform tassels that a general's aide or the nuclear code "football" carrier would have. The way he pressed his case I thought the American coup d'etat was about to began.

[MrsRafaelBarba]

Dear Sniper,

You missed one, why tease me that way?

Sigh...

[kikaha]

 

BTW, the Chinese do not actually have any fully operational aircraft carriers.

 

24 has always orbited in a parallel universe, or at least a future universe.  e.g. a number of seasons ago I recall the US president as #45, when in reality we were at 43 .  In 24-land, they are probably up to 50 at least by now, given the abbreviated career path so many presidents meet up with on the show. 

 

Given that, a Chinese aircraft carrier may not be so far out. 

[benteen]

He was an Army Infantry Colonel. I too wondered what he was doing there. He did not have the distinctive uniform tassels that a general's aide or the nuclear code "football" carrier would have. The way he pressed his case I thought the American coup d'etat was about to began.

 

I'm thinking he's an aide to the National Security Council.  Wasn't Oliver North one and he was a Lt. Colonel. 

 

I seem to recall a Col. Jackson in Air Force One (the movie) sitting in with the VP and the Cabinet.

[green]

The colonel was probably suppose to be the military attache at the US embassy in London where they all are.  Any bigger brass with gray hair would be in the US playing golf, err, at the Pentagon.

 

I say new-que-ler.  And I'll continue t say it.  Everyone I knows says it that way too.  Language is by nature fluid and pronunciations change.  Fortunately we have no  English version of the French Academy of Language Police to try and stop the natural flow of a language and the way words change in both spelling, usage and pronunciation.  Thus any pronunciation is just fine by me.  Po-ta-to, po-tot-to.

 

The Chinese leader was the only logical and rational guy in the whole show cause he was the only one who didn't buy the TV writers' totally crazy plot-line for one second.

Edited July 11, 2014 by green

[beedub]

The Chinese leader was the only logical and rational guy in the whole show cause he was the only one who didn't buy the TV writers' totally crazy plot-line for one second.

 

Excellent point. In fact, he could have said something like, "Sure, Cheng is alive like our aircraft carrier is still floating."

 

I say new-que-ler.  And I'll continue t say it.  Everyone I knows says it that way too.  Language is by nature fluid and pronunciations change.  Fortunately we have no  English version of the French Academy of Language Police to try and stop the natural flow of a language and the way words change in both spelling, usage and pronunciation.  Thus any pronunciation is just fine by me.  Po-ta-to, po-tot-to.

That's "po-tah-to".  ;-)

[mwell345]

 

I think the time jump is going to happen in the last 5 minutes.  The flag draped coffin scene looked like it was during daytime.  So I could see a 12 hour jump.  And I do think it's Mark that is dead.  Jack will be comforting Audrey on the tarmac as her husband's body is loaded on to the plane to take them back to the States.

 

According to an article in my local paper, the time jump does take place in the last episode.

[TimWil]

Sorry, green, pronouncing it as "nu-que-lar" is simply inaccurate. It's like pronouncing frontier as "front tire."

Edited July 12, 2014 by TimWil

[Enigma X]

Actually, Merriam Webster, pretty much the standard in the academic and publishing world, says both ways of saying nuclear is correct. I say ˈnü-klē-ər.

 

The episode: Like someone upthread said, Audrey's muscle was useless. They probably would have failed but they did not even try. Also, local law enforcement is just as useless. I am liking this season, but if I think too hard about it things start going to pot.

[mwell345]

 

I am liking this season, but if I think too hard about it things start going to pot.

 

I think that's standard for 24.  I'm rewatching Season 2, and there is one point where it's like - Jack, all you needed was a tape recorder and this whole thing would be over (it's when he finally catches up to the guy with the snake on his arm, the one who knows about the Cyprus recording".

[green]

Actually, Merriam Webster, pretty much the standard in the academic and publishing world, says both ways of saying nuclear is correct. I say ˈnü-klē-ər.

 

The episode: Like someone upthread said, Audrey's muscle was useless. They probably would have failed but they did not even try. Also, local law enforcement is just as useless. I am liking this season, but if I think too hard about it things start going to pot.

 

Yep there is no way to pronounce anything "wrong" ever but I even officially pronounce it "right" according to the grammar police.  How about that.  Not that there is such a thing as grammar police in reality but anyway this was cool to know.  Thanks for posting this on behalf of myself and, more importantly, half the characters in this episode, hah.

 

Hopefully next week's episode will involve a small stream so we can find out if Bauer says creeek or crik.

Edited July 13, 2014 by green

[kikaha]

Is next episode the season finale?

[mwell345]

 

Is next episode the season finale?

 

 

Yes.

[Pike Ludwell]

They need to have something involving Cuba and have Heller show a trend of going with presidential mispronunciations by calling it Cuber.

[Loriac]

They need to have something involving Cuba and have Heller show a trend of going with presidential mispronunciations by calling it Cuber.

 

Cuber is not a mispronunciation, it's a Boston accent.

[jendolly]

I didn't watch the preview but thanks to you guys I'm now speculating the draped coffin. And I say nobody dies, since there's the one guy who's been dead all season: Kate's husband.

I'm giggling over this thread becoming a language police community. I'm in Indiana right now, or, "in Diana". ;)

I liked kick-ass Chloe, Mark B. being turned into a puddle on the floor and called an IDIOT, Audrey and Jack's conversation. And the fact that I'm on vacation in the States and able to watch the season finale "live"! Yay!

I can't believe it's almost over. I need twelve more episodes!

[Pike Ludwell]

Cuber is not a mispronunciation, it's a Boston accent.

 

IMO if an accent leads to such a severe mangling of a word, and you don't fix it, it is a mispronunciation. I realize there are those who would disagree, but also some who would agree. I'll leave it at that.

[brgjoe]

Am looking forward to the finale.  After generally a fun, exciting, less fluffier filler than in most other 24 seasons, I've really enjoyed the ride thus far.

 

Just hope the season ender now doesn't suck.  Am worried how they can get a coherent ending out of all the twists/turns/balls in the air still.  Guess we shall find out soon enough..

 

Oh, and I still will take to the streets of Chloe gets off'ed. 

[John Potts]

My major problem with this ep was the fact  that the Cheng was working for the Russians - couldn't we have had Cheng plotting to set the Russians against the Americans for China's benefit (or simply revenge, though that would be a ridiculous amount of effort involved to do so)? The Russians wanted Bauer anyway, Id have preferred an outcome where the Russian "Get Bauer!" plan runs into the Chinese "Get Bauer!" plan that provides enough of a distraction for Jack & Kate to escape. Of course the complete lack of any British response to a shootout on the streets of London was a bit insulting (even without an armed response, we should hear/see sirens approaching PDQ,certainly before a CIA armed response team got there), but I'm getting used to that (I'm half expecting to learn that in 24-verse Britain really did become the 51st State).

 

It also really bugged me that apparently the President's military advisors were out ot Team America: World Police - I'm pretty sure IRL the military aren't raring to depose the President and start WW III, but maybe given the high turnover of Presidents in past Seasons, they just assume they're living in a Banana Republic where military coups happen every other week.

[Raja]

. Of course the complete lack of any British response to a shootout on the streets of London was a bit insulting (even without an armed response, we should hear/see sirens approaching PDQ,certainly before a CIA armed response team got there), but I'm getting used to that (I'm half expecting to learn that in 24-verse Britain really did become the 51st State).

 

I think they need a CTU in Britain. Obviously MI-5 is not up to the job. Not only was there a mega homegrown terror cell running around there was an army sized Chinese terror cell. Meanwhile the CIA and FSB have armed agents ready to move on a moments notice. And they had  reinforcements after one agency had a team hit by a drone's missile and the other lost a team to Jack Bauer.

[renard]

Does anyone know if something happened to Colin Salmon, the actor playing General Coburn since the beginning of the day? I love the actor's work and found it interesting that they cast a Black man as Heller's traveling military adviser (not sure of his exact role) although a little peculiar that they cast an easily recognizable English actor for a season set in London. I wasn't sure when but it was obvious after watching the finale that he had been missing from the final few episodes, replaced seemingly by 2 white officers; I'm watching this hour again and Heller mentioned near the beginning that he was on his way to EuroComm. I checked and imdb has him listed in all episodes up to the 8-9PM hour. I just found it odd that such a high-profile actor would just "disappear" for the final 2 episodes unless there was some off-camera problem.