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Monday, April 12, 2010

24 8.17: The Agent's Burden

A thoroughly brilliant, deeply satisfying, really infuriating episode 8.17 of 24, in which they're pulling out all the stops in the final season.   Where to start -
  • Chloe's now temp head of CTU.   Hastings was replaced, because he was the one who brought the treacherous Dana into the team.  I liked Hastings, but moving him out made sense.  And it's 100% great to see Chloe in charge.   She may be the best CTU head ever - or, at least as good as Buchanan.
  • Charles Logan (24's Richard Nixon) is back in action.   Allison Taylor needs him to help get the Russians to back the peace plan.   The two had a superb scene together, in which no holds were barred, including Taylor reminding Logan that he helped cover up the assassins of David Palmer.  Logan and Talyor talking about Palmer - caviar for 24 fans!
  • Jack and Renee kiss and make sweet love.   At last!   I've thought since last year that the two were right for each other.  But-
All of the above were supremely satisfying.   But here's where the immensely frustrating comes in.  Jack and Renee are barely out of each other's arms, when she's seriously wounded by a sniper.  Jack rushes her to the closest hospital, but she's lost too much blood, too much damage, you know the drill.  She's gone.

Why can't Jack ever get a break?  Isn't he entitled to some happiness, a little normal human emotion, every once in a while?

Apparently not.  And though my first response was to be furious at 24, I realized that this is what must happen to people like Jack Bauer - people like James Bond.   They can't be allowed to be happy, to be with the women they love, lest they lose their killer edge and instinct.   They need to suffer for their essential, deadly profession.

Given that this is the final season of 24 - boos again to Fox for letting the show go - Jack might have been given a little happiness.   But there's always the movie.     For the story of 24, of Jack Bauer, to continue  - I liked the way that Russian killer said Bauer's name when he was in the cab - he's got to be tough not only in body but soul.


5-min podcast review of 24

See also Season 8 reviews: Hours 1 and 2 ... Hours 3 and 4 ... Hour 5 ... Hour 6 ... Hour 7 ... Hour 8 ... Hour 9 ... Hour 10 ... Hour 11 ... Hour 12 ... Hour 13 ... Hour 14 ... Hours 15-16

And see also Season 7 reviews: Hours 1 and 2 ... Hours 3 and 4 ... Hour 5 ... Hour 6 ... Hour 7 ... Hour 8 ... Hour 9 ... Hour 10 ... Hours 11-12 ... Hour 13 ... Hour 14 ... Hour 15 ... Hour 16 ... Hour 17 ... Hour 18 ... Hour 19 ... Hour 20 ... Hour 21 ... Hour 22  ... Hours 23-24 



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7 comments:

karen said...

this is the first time 24 has really exasperated me. any chance they're faking her death?

Paul Levinson said...

I was thinking/hoping the same thing. But that scene with Jack alone with her on the table was pretty convincing.

karen said...

Wouldn't be the first time she "died," though.

MC said...

Silent counter though. That is usually a big clue.

I was angry by that death too...

MC said...

Oh and Paul, I was wondering if you have discussed Australia's internet filter anywhere other than here?

Paul Levinson said...

Good points, both, Matt.

I should say something about that Australian Internet business soon.

M.P. Andonee said...

Paul,
This is the end for me of 24. Even if they were to bring it back, I would not watch it. And NOW (!), I don't plan to watch any movies they might make with Jack Bauer.

It's all great and all that Chloe is in charge of CTU, she is very sharp - witness how quickly she asked for a tox-screen on the deceased terrorist.

But killing Renee? I understand that this is fiction, and I also understand that this is someone else's creative vision, but I must ask again: killing Renee? After redeeming her? After redeeming Jack in her eyes? I saw the two destined for each other last year, but now this....

Very, very disappointed...Almost want to stop watching. I am so far invested though, I'll go ahead and finish with the last few episodes.

And since no one has mentioned the plot so far, how about the revelation that the Russians are driving this train? And what is Logan's role in this? Is he trying to destabilize the US government is some way for personal gain? Wheels within wheels... But they should NOT have killed Renee for plot purposes, even if that act makes Jack MAD.

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