Hour Twenty (3:00 A.M. - 4:00 A.M.) Review/Commentary Page 2
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					Let's talk about the merry-go-round of deception and outsmarting going on within the President's cabinet.  Mike Novick, who certainly didn't look good when he had Lynne imprisoned in a closet, is now showing some signs of uncertainty.  He claims to feel that this is the best course of action for the United States as well as for minimizing our casualties.  If this is true, then Mike is doing what he feels is best for the country, despite his allegiance to Palmer.  However, I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility that he is somehow tied to the group who will stand to profit from this war - the one that seems to be employing Kingsley and his band of merry (hench)men.  As is consistent with his character, President Palmer is able to sniff things out.  He can tell that the VP, Prescott, is up to something no good.  He still trusts Mike at this point, which may be his undoing.  Continuity coolness!!  Special Agent Aaron Pierce is back!  Unless I'm mistaken, we haven't seen him since last season. Pierce was on Palmer's detail when he was a Senator running for President.  Very cool.  I also liked how they gave him a little role is this hour - one that shows the President's trust in him.  Pierce actually signs off his radio in order to give his attention to the President's question - a neat touch - and essentially warns him to watch his back.  Now I kind of wonder how much Pierce knows - presumably, Prescott and other members of the cabinet have secret service protection around them for some of the day, so it's possible that someone on the VPs security detail may know something, which could very well get back to Pierce.  I know it's a bit of a stretch given the hour of the day and the mileage between them, but it's possible. Speaking of the hour of the day, Prescott has managed to assemble the cabinet at a little before 7 AM in Washington.  I guess that's believable.  I found it interesting that the questions that were being asked at the end of the episode came from two of the men who weren't in the room.  One was on a plane and another was in the back of a car, it appeared.  Just some of my randomness… not sure why it jumped out at me, it just did. I can't imagine it will be long now before the President pieces even more together and realizes he has very few people he can trust.  As you may have read in my earlier review, I think this "removal of the President" business under the 25th Amendment is a bit overblown and unrealistic, so I will be watching carefully to see if they attempt to stay within reason or if they continue spiraling off into the land of make-believe.  Poor Lynne.  I don't have too much to say except that it's a good thing she ran down a couple flights of stairs before getting herself pushed over the railing.  It looked like she fell about three floors, rather than the possible five (since she was being held on the fifth floor).  I was really hoping SOMEone would see her pointing out Mike as the rat in the room, but his taking of her hand was extremely clever.  Wouldn't it be great, though, if Palmer DID see that and is just waiting to spring it on Mike?  Ah, so much anticipation as we move into Hour Twenty-One. Ahhh, Ryan Chappelle.  I don't remember him being quite this much of an asshole last season, do you?  I mean, he was an uptight twit, but he is just downright obnoxious this season.  I think it's terrific that we have cast members returning to their roles from last season - it really gives the show a smooth feeling.  However, I just feel like Chappelle's character has changed a bit.  Why is he SO intent on disregarding anything Jack might have to say?  He's not still bitter about last season when Jack had Palmer on his side, is he?          Go Back to Page One of Review            Go On to Page Three of Review