24 5.3: "Day 5: 9AM -10AM"
Written by Manny Coto
Directed by Brad Turner
In which Jack works from a hidden location inside the terminal to aid CTU’s efforts to rescue the hostages from Russian terrorists, while Martha Logan searches for the real phone records…
Status Report
A number of people were concerned with the effect that Manny Coto would have on the writing staff, especially since his resume lists a number of science fiction genre shows like “Enterprise”. This episode should lay those concerns to rest. This was an episode with a clear, tight plot with a clear sense of character, even if the characters in question have aspects that are annoying or questionable. There’s little doubt that Coto knew what he was doing for this episode.
Jack in particular takes on a more focused personality. Instead of over-emoting through a crisis, as he sometimes does, the plot required a more measured and thoughtful response. As a result, Jack came across as someone with professional experience and instincts, but with personal concerns that can lead to questionable judgment and risk. That is Jack Bauer in a nutshell.
Similarly, Bill has come a long way since his introduction, and not necessarily in a good way. It’s good for Jack, because Bill seems more interested in the pragmatic solution to the no-win scenario that Logan mandates. Logan wants the situation handled quickly with as little negative media exposure as possible. How it’s done is of little consequence. Bill recognizes that having someone on the inside with a desire to help, as well as critical experience, gives him an edge. Similarly, he gets Chloe involved and keeps Logan out of the loop to enhance that practicality.
The cooperation between Jack and CTU is very well done, even as it becomes strained with Jack’s decision to take action on his own at an inopportune time. There’s none of the annoying barking of threats that Jack received at the beginning of the fourth season. Bill may take Jack to task later down the line, but for now, the mission takes priority. It gives the situation a more substantial and professional tone, even if the real world would never operate so smoothly.
In particular, the plot did a good job of communicating the idea of “necessary brutality” on the part of the terrorists; they certainly appear to believe that this action is the logical if unfortunate solution to the problems they face. At the same time, the writing doesn’t advocate the methods or the beliefs. It’s not on the same level that the writers achieved in parts of the fourth season, where parallels were drawn between terrorist fervor and patriotism, but it’s more than could be readily expected.
Bill does continue to take the news about Jack a little too casually. He just got used to the idea that Jack is alive; now he’s willing to accept that Jack is innocent, based on confirmation of only part of an alibi. Is this designed to make it look like Logan has the upper hand, despite his obvious lack of leadership, so Logan can question Bill’s own command somewhere down the line?
Similarly, the goals of the terrorists beg deeper analysis. It doesn’t make sense for the terrorists to go to so much trouble simply to derail an anti-terrorism accord. So what is the real goal? The terrorists certainly seem ready to die to further their cause, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t dupes themselves. After all, why would Walter go to so much trouble, just for some Russian terrorists?
Once again, Jack uses personal resources to take care of his own agenda. And as usual, Jack’s allies drag those within their own orbits into the fold. Spenser could be trouble, however, since he could see Chloe’s off-protocol actions as a chance to take her down, if he’s using his relationship to her to get ahead.
Martha’s methods may leave something to be desired. It’s a little annoying to see falsified sexual assault as a blackmail motif; there are enough degenerate scumbags around ruining for the rest of the male population without women using that to gain advantage. Even so, it demonstrates that Martha is not the addled lunatic that everyone wants to think she is. What she found in that file should prove quite interesting and instrumental.
Final Analysis
Overall, this episode took many of the slips in the previous episode and corrected as many of them as possible, while still maintaining some sense of continuity. Coto accomplishes a tight episode that maintains a strong level of tension, rising steadily during the hour. In particular, the characterization for Jack is quite good, reminding the audience that he was once quite the professional.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4
Final Rating: 8/10
Season Average (as of 5.3): 8.0
Directed by Brad Turner
In which Jack works from a hidden location inside the terminal to aid CTU’s efforts to rescue the hostages from Russian terrorists, while Martha Logan searches for the real phone records…
Status Report
A number of people were concerned with the effect that Manny Coto would have on the writing staff, especially since his resume lists a number of science fiction genre shows like “Enterprise”. This episode should lay those concerns to rest. This was an episode with a clear, tight plot with a clear sense of character, even if the characters in question have aspects that are annoying or questionable. There’s little doubt that Coto knew what he was doing for this episode.
Jack in particular takes on a more focused personality. Instead of over-emoting through a crisis, as he sometimes does, the plot required a more measured and thoughtful response. As a result, Jack came across as someone with professional experience and instincts, but with personal concerns that can lead to questionable judgment and risk. That is Jack Bauer in a nutshell.
Similarly, Bill has come a long way since his introduction, and not necessarily in a good way. It’s good for Jack, because Bill seems more interested in the pragmatic solution to the no-win scenario that Logan mandates. Logan wants the situation handled quickly with as little negative media exposure as possible. How it’s done is of little consequence. Bill recognizes that having someone on the inside with a desire to help, as well as critical experience, gives him an edge. Similarly, he gets Chloe involved and keeps Logan out of the loop to enhance that practicality.
The cooperation between Jack and CTU is very well done, even as it becomes strained with Jack’s decision to take action on his own at an inopportune time. There’s none of the annoying barking of threats that Jack received at the beginning of the fourth season. Bill may take Jack to task later down the line, but for now, the mission takes priority. It gives the situation a more substantial and professional tone, even if the real world would never operate so smoothly.
In particular, the plot did a good job of communicating the idea of “necessary brutality” on the part of the terrorists; they certainly appear to believe that this action is the logical if unfortunate solution to the problems they face. At the same time, the writing doesn’t advocate the methods or the beliefs. It’s not on the same level that the writers achieved in parts of the fourth season, where parallels were drawn between terrorist fervor and patriotism, but it’s more than could be readily expected.
Bill does continue to take the news about Jack a little too casually. He just got used to the idea that Jack is alive; now he’s willing to accept that Jack is innocent, based on confirmation of only part of an alibi. Is this designed to make it look like Logan has the upper hand, despite his obvious lack of leadership, so Logan can question Bill’s own command somewhere down the line?
Similarly, the goals of the terrorists beg deeper analysis. It doesn’t make sense for the terrorists to go to so much trouble simply to derail an anti-terrorism accord. So what is the real goal? The terrorists certainly seem ready to die to further their cause, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t dupes themselves. After all, why would Walter go to so much trouble, just for some Russian terrorists?
Once again, Jack uses personal resources to take care of his own agenda. And as usual, Jack’s allies drag those within their own orbits into the fold. Spenser could be trouble, however, since he could see Chloe’s off-protocol actions as a chance to take her down, if he’s using his relationship to her to get ahead.
Martha’s methods may leave something to be desired. It’s a little annoying to see falsified sexual assault as a blackmail motif; there are enough degenerate scumbags around ruining for the rest of the male population without women using that to gain advantage. Even so, it demonstrates that Martha is not the addled lunatic that everyone wants to think she is. What she found in that file should prove quite interesting and instrumental.
Final Analysis
Overall, this episode took many of the slips in the previous episode and corrected as many of them as possible, while still maintaining some sense of continuity. Coto accomplishes a tight episode that maintains a strong level of tension, rising steadily during the hour. In particular, the characterization for Jack is quite good, reminding the audience that he was once quite the professional.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4
Final Rating: 8/10
Season Average (as of 5.3): 8.0
posted by John Keegan | 16:52
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