24 – Episode 8-5 Review

Shows, Top Story

During 24‘s highly underrated third season, I noted how much the series has grown beyond a one person show and into a genuine ensemble drama. As an example, I noted a particular episode in which Jack spent pretty much the entire hour following somebody in his car, while the real action focused on Michelle attempting to quarantine an infected hotel (of course, the 24 would respond to this observation by gutting the entire cast, leaving Jack and Chloe as the only series regulars). This week’s episode reminded me of that, albeit to a far lesser extent. Quite fittingly, Jack was once again pretty much confined to his car, tailing somebody when most of the action revolved around another character (in this case, Renee). I do have to wonder, though: Where the hell in New York City are these characters driving, at 8:00 PM, with the roads so empty?

Last week I noted the similarities between season 8 Renee and season 2 Jack, and that correlation continues into this week. This week we saw Renee, seemingly with a death wish, single handedly save their covert mission. And the viewer is left wondering, “Does Renee truly want to die, or was she simply willing to sacrifice herself for the mission?” Jack was in the same boat when he volunteered to crash an atomic bomb, before he was relieved by George Mason. And, in fact, it was Mason who pointed out this observation. He explicitly told Jack that he’s wanted to die since Teri’s murder.

And the connection is quite fitting. And because of this bond, I actually quite enjoy the fact that instead of a romance, we’re actually seeing Jack’s paternal side as it relates to Renee. He clearly feels responsible for what she has gone through, and likewise feels accountable for keeping her safe. It’s been made clear that she hasn’t accepted his calls, but yet he seems awfully knowledgeable about what’s happened in her life since they met last season. It’s clearly not common knowledge, as Chloe is out of the loop.

Don’t get me wrong, I have no doubt that these two crazy kids will eventually get together. And actually, I think that’s a relatively fluid next step. Actually, I think they have a stronger connection now than they did last season. I actually wouldn’t mind seeing Jack with somebody just as twisted as he is. And I know it’s unfortunate fact of life, but I couldn’t help but feel mightily uncomfortable when Jack jumped immediately to the rape question when Chloe revealed that Renee had been abused. I actually didn’t really like this revelation. Part of what makes Renee’s current instability so tragic is that she was so clean cut and by the books before she met Jack. Part of that is diminished when we learn that she had an abusive past.

And boy, did that one Russian guy have a bad day or what?

I think it was Scott Keith who proposed that they completely eliminate the Presidential storyline from 24. While I’ve never really minded the political arc (in fact, it was the sole bright spot of season six), the thought did cross my mind this past episode. It’s not that I found anything about it bothersome or offensive, but I also couldn’t help but feel like it didn’t necessarily contribute to the story. This goes back to what I was saying about Heroes last year – the viewers don’t necessarily need to know what’s behind the curtain. Heroes felt the need to constantly serve us Mohinder explaining to us why these people have abilities. But at that point in the series, it didn’t really seem to matter. Nobody really cared why they had abilities, they just wanted an interesting story. The same rings true here: Do we really need the minute-by-minute details of this story? I think things could essentially be told the same way with the viewer merely knowing that an Islamic President is going to make a big announcement at a peace conference with our President, and his people aren’t happy about it. Then, like movies that follow a similar premise, the President makes an 11th hour appearance (metaphorically, not literally) and becomes integrated in the arc.

And holy Hell, what the crap is with Hassan’s pompadour? I honestly find that thing distracting. Any time he’s on screen, all I can see is that helmet he’s wearing.

Those compliments aside, the whole thing with Dana is absolutely dreadful. I honestly cringe whenever this story hits the screen. And I just know that this won’t tie into the grand story of the season, it’s just going to pop up as an inconvenient obstacle at a critical time. And while I understand that she’s so incredibly frightened that this guy is going to reveal her sordid past, I just find it hard to believe that she’d toss aside an incredibly important assignment in which two people’s lives are at stake to answer a call from her crazy ex-boyfriend. I find it equally hard to swallow that even in her irrational state of mind, that she’d think that her fiancé would take a break from, ya’ know, keeping the country and a foreign President safe to chat it up with some guy he’s never met making insane accusations about the woman he’s about to marry. This whole thing is the epitome of contrived. And what’s worse, it’s not even very entertaining.

Matt Basilo has been writing for Inside Pulse since April 2005, providing his insight into popular television shows such as Lost, 24, Heroes, and Smallville. Be sure to visit his blog at [a case of the blog] and follow him on Twitter.

Matt Basilo has been writing for Inside Pulse since April 2005, providing his insight into various popular television shows. Be sure to visit his blog at [a case of the blog] and follow him on Twitter.