There are times with the internal inconsistensies of this show just make me giggle, as I've stated on many an occasion. But last night's episode took these to a whole new level. Just a few things that made go--what?!?
- When Jack, Curtis and company head out from CTU to the Chinese consolate, it takes all of 2 minutes to get there? But yet once they grab the terrorist collaborator spy guy it takes 15 minutes to get back to CTU?!? I guess they were taking back streets and alleys so the Chinese wouldn't pursue them and figure out this was an authorized raid.
- Last week, the response units were at least five to ten minutes out from Chloe, hence why she had to blow away terrorist with a machinegun. But yet, after she's taken out said terrorist, they arrive within three minutes and have her stitched up and ready to head back to work. (Personally, after blowing away a terrorist like that I'd stop by the house for a change of underwear...)
- The Chinese consolate has NO security. You'd think the minute Jack crossed into the consolate grounds that he'd be descended upon by security forces. And they don't even have cameras outside the consolate?!?
- And CTU just happens to have a Chinese translator on duty at 2 a.m.?!?
I know, I know...willing suspension of disbelief. But come on--you've got to at least be internally consistent every once in a while!
That said, it was great to see Palmer back in action. Being bold, decisive and willing to take whatever means necessary to stop the terrorists. But I've got to say this..for President Prissy Pants, having Palmer come in is a no-brainer. Palmer blows it, President PP just goes--well, gee Palmer screwed it all up. If Palmer succeeds, he can take credit. Either way, it's win/win for Prissy Pants.
And if you're Jack, you have to be doing a conga that Palmer is back in charge. Palmer pretty much lets Jack do whatever he wants, so long as it furthers the goal of stopping the threat of the day. I'd love to see this maybe backfire a bit, though it's too late in the day for Jack to screw up and have Palmer go--dammit, I really blew it by allowing Jack to go too far. I do wonder if Palmer will get a taste of what he's missing and run for re-election, since he only served one term and can legally do so. It'd be great to see.
Meanwhile, back over at "As CTU Turns" the soap opera that is the CTU workplace continues to whirl. Tony's woman finally tracks him down to CTU (what the hell is with the switchboard over there...as long as you know someone by name, they will let you through?!?). Tony and Michelle have a season two sexual tension moment and then Buchanan has a hissy fit worthy of President Prissy Pants.
And then there's Audrey, who since her rescue has become the most useless character on the show. She decides that she will stay with Paul now and help him in his recovery. She makes arrangements to get him to a hospital in Maine and there are some tearful moments. (I did like the awkward moment as Jack came in to thank Paul for saving his life) At this point, you might as well slap a red shirt on Paul and beam him down to a planet full of Klingons cause the guy is dead, dead, dead. And just like that he suffers plot device complications that send him back into surgery...just as the Chinese guy who knows how to find Marwan rolls in and needs help. So, Jack must make a choice--the safety of the world or the end of his relationship with Audrey. Jack goes for broke, choosing the world and Audrey freaks out, of course. At least the surgeon brought up the--hey, this is not a sterile environment when Jack and company all paraded in, waving guns at everyone.
And while I think the plot device was a bit stretched, the look of angst on Jack's face as Audrey blames him for Paul's death was great.
posted by Michael Hickerson at 5/03/2005 07:51:00 AM |
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