User Reviews

Episode seven of the second season begins with Jack Bauer diving deeper into the conspiracy behind the nuclear threat. Bauer's investigation takes a darker turn as he encounters more violent resistance from the terrorists. The episode opens with an intense chase scene, masterfully directed to highlight Bauer's relentless pursuit of justice. The cinematography captures the frenetic pace, with tight shots and quick cuts that emphasize the urgency and danger of Bauer's mission. The high-energy start sets the tone for an episode filled with action and tension.

At CTU, the atmosphere is thick with anxiety as the team works against the clock to decode the latest intelligence. Tony Almeida and Michelle Dessler play pivotal roles, their professional rapport underlined by hints of a deeper connection. The pressure of the ticking clock and the weight of their responsibility are palpable, as they scramble to piece together fragments of information that could prevent the impending disaster. The interaction between Almeida and Dessler is particularly notable, adding an emotional depth that enriches the narrative.

Meanwhile, President Palmer faces mounting political pressure as the threat looms larger. His advisors are divided, some pushing for aggressive action while others urge caution. Palmer's struggle to balance these conflicting demands reveals his deep moral convictions and the personal toll of his leadership. The political intrigue is deftly handled, providing a stark contrast to the action-heavy scenes with Bauer. The subplot not only adds complexity to Palmer's character but also underscores the broader ramifications of the nuclear threat.

Critics have highlighted the episode's strong pacing and intricate plot development. The direction and cinematography effectively build tension, with a well-crafted balance between action sequences and character-driven moments. However, some have pointed out that the relentless pace can be overwhelming for viewers. Despite this, the episode is praised for advancing the overarching storyline while deepening the emotional and psychological stakes for its characters.

George Mason: huge pain in the ass. That's how people would describe him in Season One, at least. In this episode, he becomes George Mason: warm, sympathetic human being. And for some twisted reason, the transformation works.

The change of attitude is linked to George's attempt to reconnect with his estranged son, John, before he dies. In the meantime, he still has to coordinate Tony's joint interrogation of Reza (Phillip Rhys) and Bob Warner (John Terry), both of whom have now been taken to CTU for further questioning. Elsewhere, David Palmer and his Chief of Staff Mike Novick (Jude Ciccolella) have reason to doubt Roger Stanton's loyalty, and Jack Bauer finds himself working with Nina Myers, as they head to Visalia to retrieve vital information.

The suspense in this episode is exceptional, particularly in the Visalia section, with Jack and his men preparing to raid a building with Nina's help, a fact that raises the stakes since she is all but reliable. And yet, somehow all of that is overshadowed by two brief scenes featuring Mason and his son. Throughout Day 1, the main pleasure of George's presence derived from his sardonic remarks, especially those about Nina (considering Sarah Clarke and Xander Berkeley are married in real life). Over the course of seven shows of Day 2, he has evolved into a deeper character, to the point that he can break the audience's heart in the touching goodbye scene, something that would have been unheard of previously.

Oh, and for those who thought Kim Bauer couldn't get into more trouble: check out this hour's cliffhanger - contrived, but riveting nonetheless.

Jack gets Nina on a plane and heads for Visalia. There, she is to hook him up with a terrorist who may have information that will bring about a solution to the riddle of the bomb. The President has to tolerate his ugly wife because she has developed connections that he needs. Kim and her boyfriend take the little girl out of the hospital after disabling the horrible father. But they are in for an awful surprise. Jack has to do everything he can to keep from shooting Nina and exacting revenge for his wife's death. The situation at the wedding house gets stickier and stickier. Incredible episode.