24 5.19: "Day 5: 1AM - 2AM"

Written by Steve Mitchell and Craig Van Sickle
Directed by Dwight Little

In which casualties mount on both sides as the conflict between Jack and Logan escalates, the architects of the conspiracy emerge, and a key player switches sides…


Status Report

The beginning of the episode is quite the feat of recapping, but the painful exposition is over quickly enough. It’s a little easy for Chloe to get into the CTU servers, given the fact that her escape ought to have been detected very quickly, but it’s not the only plot issue. Henderson doesn’t need the recording as insurance, after everything that has happened so far, but it sure does give Jack the chance to get his hands on it again. And just how does Audrey survive that long after bleeding out that much and wearing a makeshift tourniquet?

It’s always fun when Jack gets to confront and interrogate one of the main bad guys, and considering his history with Henderson, it adds a nice personal touch to the situation. Of course, it doesn’t come without a price. Heller represents yet another personal loss in a season filled with death and betrayal. (Though Heller might have survived, since driving into the lake could have masked his escape from the shooters in the helicopter….really!)

And now, at this late hour, another conspirator is introduced. Since Logan isn’t supposed to be very clever, one might assume that this new player is the real mastermind, the one advising Logan in his actions from the very beginning. While that doesn’t absolve Logan of his responsibility, it does shove his character into a completely new brand of personal weakness. Any sense of wounded dignity present in the beginning of the season is now completely undermined.

This new “consortium” appears to consist of businessmen, which would fit the whole idea of starting this entire mess to gain control of foreign oil. Logically, since the group began working 18 months earlier, they jumped on the chance to control a weak president with little support. Once they threw their economic clout into the ring, Logan probably had it easy. And now that the big plan is unfolding, when better for Jack to come back and tear it down?

It would be too easy if Henderson had the recording, but it throws the episode in an unexpected direction. Jack is forced to go after the recording, leaving Audrey alone with Henderson until Curtis can arrive to take them back to DHS-occupied CTU. It’s plain on Audrey’s face that she has an ulterior motive, but Jack has a long of other things on his mind and doesn’t see it.

Ironically, if things go according to plan at this stage of the game, a now-conscious Bierko and Henderson would be in Karen’s custody. Given her questions about Logan’s orders since her occupation of CTU, she would be in the perfect position to gather enough information on the conspiracy to threaten Logan’s attempt at a cover-up. Even when it seems that Chloe’s escape would distract her, events push Karen towards an understanding of the truth and the right action. (Assuming, of course, that Miles is not part of the plot as well.)

One of the best moments in the episode is Logan’s confession to Martha. Her reaction is exactly as extreme as one would expect, just as Logan’s attempt to save her is consistent with his choices earlier in the day. Logan’s justifications are completely disingenuous, yet they do hold a certain truth. Just as Heller realized, exposing Logan will only undermine the public trust in the presidency. All the same, how could Martha’s reaction be any different?

Henderson plays on the very fact that Heller might still be alive to twist Audrey’s head around, despite the fact that she’s rather focused on thoughts of revenge. Henderson’s men foil those thoughts, forcing Audrey to make a run for it. Curtis gets to make the kind of move Tony used to make, and just like that, Henderson is in custody.

Conveniently, the plane carrying Henderson’s accomplice hasn’t taken off in the past hour, and none of the DHS personnel have been able to get to Chloe or Bill, despite how long they’ve been connected to the CTU servers. When that moment finally comes, Karen makes the choice to move solidly into Jack’s column. Since Chloe needs to get moving to stay out of DHS hands, Jack is forced to get on the plane the hard way.

This episode had a lot more plot conveniences than the past few episodes, but they weren’t so substantial as to undermine the episode entirely. As this little war continues, there should be apparent casualties on both sides, and this episode certainly begins that process. With episode 20 coming up, it’s expected that there will be another, final shift in the arc. Considering how the past few episodes have stepped up the game, it’s going to be a challenge to maintain the level of quality.


Final Analysis

Overall, this episode is another strong link in the recent chain, delivering a number of unexpected twists and consequences as the central conflict escalates. The writers stumble on the logic here and there to keep the pace going, but most of the developments make sense and keep the situation messy.

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

Final Rating: 8/10

Season Average (as of 5.19): 7.1