(5:00 A.M. - 6:00 A.M.)
Review/Commentary
Hmmm, well some initial thoughts. If you read me regularly, you know how much I like the freeze-frame intros and how much I think they add to the show. I found it interesting that this episode featured Palmer's as "David Palmer," without the "President." A neat little touch by the show's writers/producers. It kind of shows the impact of the day.
I also noticed that in one of the early commercials in the episode, Kiefer was doing a voice-over for an MCI commercial. Strategically placed.
"Whether I'm chasing terrorists, yelling at Tony, telling my daughter I'm about to die, or telling that same daughter to shoot someone dead, I rely on MCI for all my telephone needs. I'm Jack Bauer, and this is the longest cell phone bill of my life."
Ah, I entertain myself so.
Early on in the episode, Mike Novick comes in and asks Palmer to give him the keycodes he had. For those of you who don't know, the President carries what Palmer had there - keycards with codes to verify his bombing/war orders. It's known as "the football" and the codes are changed on a regular basis - more than once a day, if I'm not mistaken.
Anyway, Palmer is being remarkably behaved. He handed over the codes, even though he knows that Prescott is eager to move ahead with the bombing. See, Palmer is following what is right no matter what. He keeps his word. He agreed to the "trial" they had in the previous hour, and when the vote was cast and he was removed from office, he honored it, albeit grudgingly.
Speaking of Palmer, I don't quite see how they can detain him at all. What's he going to do? Besides, wasn't part of Prescott's reasoning for having him removed that he violated several people's civil and constitutional rights? So isn't he doing the same thing by keeping David locked up? Seems a little odd.
And along those lines, Palmer isn't even allowed to make phone calls? I don't understand. What's wrong with him talking to people? He's not giving orders as the President; he's simply trying to learn what Jack has found out. Basically, he's working on his "defense" for Congress on why he's more than fit to hold the office of President. I don't see why he shouldn't be allowed any phone calls in addition to being in this holding room.
I did like his exchange with Agent Pierce, again. I think it's neat not only that they've brought back Agent Pierce, but that he now has a slightly more significant role. It kind of reminds me of Chappelle and how he's been brought back this season. Ah, but we'll get to Chappelle in a minute.
As for Pierce, he surreptitiously gets Palmer the SatFone and colludes with him to let the deposed President make his call to Jack. When Novick orders Pierce to be placed under arrest, Palmer tried to help and apologizes to Pierce, calling him "Aaron." Pierce's line was another of the good ones on 24: "There's nothing to apologize for Mr. President."
The line itself isn't so profound except for the fact that he pointedly referred to Palmer as "Mr. President," while his sniveling former Chief of Staff is now calling him "David." Speaking of which, how does the COS (Novick) have the power to place Pierce under arrest? I don't think he does, actually.
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