24 5.17: "Day 5: 11PM - 12AM"

Written by David Fury
Directed by Brad Turner

In which Jack and Wayne track down evidence to prove Logan’s complicity in the terrorist attacks earlier in the day, while Chloe helps Audrey get away long enough to contact her father…


Status Report

So as it turns out, there’s almost universal confusion (and rampant consternation) regarding the reveal in the previous episode. A lot of fans felt that Logan’s sudden complicity in and apparent command of the terrorist plot was a ridiculous turn of events. In fact, some say that it took a character with “dignified weakness” and turned him into some kind of flawed mastermind. The truth, as always, falls in the middle ground: the writers probably knew that Logan would factor into the story, but as they made things up week to week, the continuity was muddled.

This is one of those classic transitional episodes, building on the late season reveal by giving Jack a short-term objective that keeps the plot moving forward while everyone reels with the new knowledge. In this case, the objective is getting to Evelyn’s safety deposit box and the evidence therein. This not only gives the hour a defined scope, but it gives Jack and Wayne a chance to play partners. Who knew Wayne could be such a fun character?

It’s a little annoying that Jack has to be the one to push Audrey into calling her father. It’s something she should have thought of on her own. SoD Heller is probably the only person who can rally the right people in the administration to deal with Logan’s illegal activities. For that matter, he’s the right kind of person to moderate Gardner’s more extreme tendencies, should he be elevated into the presidency. William Devane may want to keep himself available; he could be president by the seventh season!

This episode actually helps to clarify Logan’s role in the conspiracy. It seems that he came up with the basic idea of setting up a terrorist act so he could ultimately get more credit for his initiative through immediate application of the accord with the Russians. From there, he brought in Henderson, who took it into places Logan never intended. This allows Logan to be the “mastermind” while keeping the earlier episodes (and his shock within them) intact.

For all that, it still takes something away from Logan, who was better as a weak president trying valiantly to overcome his own worst impulses. Logan was essentially a man trying to keep his options open as long as possible, and in that sense, his failures and desperate decisions were compelling and frustrating in the same moment. That interpretation of his character still works to a certain extent, but now he’s too much the villain; some of the subtlety seems to have been stripped away.

Early in the episode, this problem arises. Logan calls Karen (who is a lot more in the dark than one might have guessed) and comes up with some half-baked reason to arrest Jack. At least the characters bring up the obvious rebuttals this time around; too often, the characters just go along with the insanity without comment. This does, however, accomplish something that should make the end of the season very interesting: Jack is leading the charge against the president.

Audrey and Chloe make for good allies, and as anticipated, Karen and Miles become annoying obstacles to avoid and overcome. While Jack and Wayne take the bank manager hostage (something that probably won’t go over well if things go badly), Audrey and Chloe do everything possible to keep Audrey’s meeting with her father a secret for as long as feasible. At the same time, Gardner and Agent Pierce begin having their own doubts, and Pierce gets more screen time as a possible ally for Jack. All in all, the counter-conspiracy is one hell of a strong group!

It’s a little annoying, however, for Evelyn and her daughter to be victimized. It’s all too easy to make the audience anxious by tossing a little kid in the line of fire, and the clear implication here is that the bad guy killed mother and daughter to eliminate loose ends. It served the demands of the plot, since Henderson had to know where Jack was going to keep the story moving, but it was still annoying.

Martha has long since been established as a wild card in the story, and she continues to have that potential. She has demonstrated a willingness to act against her husband’s desires if she believes it to be the right thing to do. Would she be as willing to act if she knew that her husband could be imprisoned and disgraced as a result? Martha has been one of the highlights of the season, so her dilemma should produce compelling drama.

Chloe has become quite the fan favorite because of her unique attitude and ability to step into new and exciting situations with a fresh perspective. It’s especially good when she decides to act on her own to get things done “the right way”, because she rarely worries about the consequences. (Even the idiotic baby plot in the third season is an example of this.) Her attitude with Miles in particular is nothing short of hilarious.

The scene at the bank was never going to end well for Mr. Bank Manager (he could have worn a red shirt, for all the good it would have done), and the music is unintentionally funny. Jack and Wayne make for a great team; Wayne would be a fitting addition to a restored CTU for the presumable sixth season. Given that the network has all but indicated that the series will remain on the air through a potential eighth season with Sutherland on board, there’s more than enough time and opportunity to give Wayne a strong presence later down the road.

Despite being at the start of the traditional “resolution” phase, this is all about moving pieces on the board. The writers seem to like moving the story in four-episode arcs, so this positioning won’t take very long. Heller is a man of action, and he has every reason to trust Jack and Audrey. One of the strong advantages to this season and the current plot twist in particular is the validation, in a certain sense, of Jack’s personal ties in the fourth season. Audrey has come a long way, to say the least.

One final note: the recent news regarding Sutherland’s contract for three more seasons is definitely a good thing for the future of the series, but it should be taken with a grain of salt. Networks always leave themselves the right to cancel a series if it favors them to do so. Some might remember how networks treated “Farscape” after making a massive announcement in support of the series and a two-season pickup: cancellation after only one of those seasons. The producers and writers will still need to work at bringing their best to the table instead of using shock as a substitute for substance.


Final Analysis

Overall, this episode steps back into transitional territory, building on the revelations from the previous episode and setting up the elements for the final conflict of the season. There are some strange bedfellows in this episode, but those partnerships work extremely well, and it could point to some nice evolution for the series in the future.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10

Season Average (as of 5.17): 7.0