24: Live Another Day 9.05 “3:00pm—4:00pm”

Whoa. Did we see that coming? Yes, mostly, but last week. Very tricky, show. Mommy Dreadest has two very creepy children, is all I’m saying. The one with haunted eyes and the deadly knife, and the one who looks like he should be getting the dorm together for an RA rap and orientation session. Toss-up which is worse.

Navid, you’ll be remembered. If not really complimented for your wits, which seem to extend not far beyond knowing some computer commands. Mommy Dreadest isn’t about human feelings. She’s real serious about results, though. Her kids have obviously been inculcated to her insanity.

Meanwhile, Jack is taken in by Kate (even if the military is very pissed about it) and she still gets to sneak out the flight key (while Jack stages a pointlessly easy distraction because he knows they see him basically as a raving lunatic, and not as the Vulcan-level strategist he is). She tries to get his message taken seriously by Navarro. Who overrules her, reduces her day’s antics to overcompensation for her traitorous husband (we’re going to meet him at some point, right? Episode nine or ten? Right when she needs to see him least? So that Jack can shoot him in the gut? Check!), and tells her to get lost.

Luckily, she still has the Direct-Line-to-Chloe-earpiece. She may be blind in love, but she’s smart everywhere else. The soldiers get overruled anyway, as President Heller sends for Jack, only to find Mark has already anticipated him (correctly, for once) and promises immediate delivery. Too little, too late Chief Assface. Though it is not at all sad when Audrey basically blows him off the second she hears Jack is in the building.

First Heller sees Jack, but still doesn’t want to okay his plans even though he’s had the best intel of anyone all day. Then Audrey sneaks in, and their reunion is fractured and tragic and painful for both of them, even though they can hardly speak. Oh Jack, remember when you thought you could have a family and kids? Oh Audrey, remember when you thought it was safe to be within ten feet of Jack?

Heller does have a confrontation with Prime Minister Fry, but they’re not really doing much to make the Brits that credible so far. Maggie Thatcher might be able to intimidate him, but so far the ugly American charge is getting pretty hard to deny.

Chloe’s also disappointing her Freaky Leaks leader, but making a new ally of Jack’s right arm, who is willing to go wherever Chloe leads as long as she’s loyal to Jack. That is the right play.

Lots of pieces are moved around this episode, but the centerpiece is all about the lengths to which Margot will go; the horror as the drones (ordered down by Heller the second Jack’s evidence of tampering is confirmed) switch sides one by one; and a fake-out lair that becomes the first London-based drone target. Luckily Kate and Chloe figure it out in time to save most of Navarro’s tactical team.

So, when does Jack get an official gun and badge again, Heller? You know you want to. Also, with only seven episodes to go, am I wrong in suspecting that the show runners are going to end on a cliffhanger and ask Fox for a sequel next year, Under the Dome style? Well-played if so, masterminds!