24...duh duh....duh duh...duh duh....(spoilers!)

[El Roranous]

Jack, and of course Rory, are right! Tony is working for Bill and Chloe, yay!

Although... I was right and I was wrong. Tony had been working for the other side for about 3 years. Only recently had he contacted Bill.


By the way, do you guys think we will get to see Karen this season? Also, what about Kim or Audrey?

 

[El Roranous]

Yay Chloe is back!

But how far do you go before you're the villain? It would seem that there would be a better way to get to the inside government conspiracy besides giving a genocidal terrorist access to the entire infrastructure of the United States. Even if Tony was supposed to stay with the device, how could the end ever justify these means?

I was thinking the same thing Dave. Bill, and Tony seem to want to take this way too far. I understand wanting to find out how deep the internal corruption goes but at what cost? I would never have thought that Bill would allow innocent American lives to be put at risk. I am even surprised that Jack is going along with all of this... although at this point as usual, it appears he has no other viable choice.

 

[El Roranous]

I am however perplexed by the direction they are taking Jack's character. It seems that he is easily guided by the people around him and that he is no longer his own person. I mean, there was almost no reluctance or hesitation with helping anyone this season. The way Jack's character was going before is that he was a broken man. He didn't want anything to do with anyone. I think he just wanted to be left alone for once and find peace. He only reluctantly gave himself up in Africa for the benefit of the children.

He could have walked away countless times the first night of the premiere. Nothing felt that urgent or like they really needed Jack. Bill tells Jack to help Tony escape- Jack complies but without much explanation or incentive. Then he arrives at the "new" CTU and agrees to help them... in my opinion, too easily. I know it's in his nature to not turn away and to help out when he is needed but enough is enough. I just thought that throughout all this time he had learned something profound about himself and would finally be able to walk away and be at peace with himself. The US wants to imprison him, the Chinese have mangled him- he absolutely gets no respect. Everyone and everything in his life has been taken from him. I felt as though he had found at least a glimpse of happiness when on the run so I find it a little bit unbelievable that Jack would just jump in to all of this so easily.

The way I am painting it makes it sound as though 24 will no longer have Jack fighting it's battles and I definitely don't want that but that seems to be the only logical continuation of his story.

I am also aware that during these last 4 episodes Jack says that he has no regrets about his actions but I also don't believe that he wants to continue this life.

 

[Hulksmashed]

last night he told the Lead terrorist why he came back and why he turned himself in. I don't think Jack's answer was a lie. He wants to be done, and wants the people he protects to know what he has done to protect them. In a sense I think he had given up (for the greater good). If I had to guess he is still broken and his new attitude of compliance is a sort of penance for his past sins. Most likely by the end of the season he will have regained the trust of the nation and have taken charge to get the job done.

Although Almeda is "a good guy" again, the question asked by jack "Is this [loyalty/respect for the terrorist] going to be a problem" was more of a forshadowing of things to come then a question to be easily answered.

 

[Agent23]

Who's the mole? The obvious choice is Sean Hillinger. But, I tend to think it's Janis Gold. I also believe the higher it goes, that Ethan Kanin is absolutely involved.

Let's face it Bob Gunton (actor) knows how to play a bad guy, after all he was the warden in The Shawshank Redemption.

I agree with Hulksmashed on the "Foreshadowing" when Jack asked Tony "is this gonna be a problem?"

 

[Hulksmashed]

Who's the mole? The obvious choice is Sean Hillinger. But, I tend to think it's Janis Gold. I also believe the higher it goes, that Ethan Kanin is absolutely involved.

Let's face it Bob Gunton (actor) knows how to play a bad guy, after all he was the warden in The Shawshank Redemption.

I agree with Hulksmashed on the "Foreshadowing" when Jack asked Tony "is this gonna be a problem?"

My guess for the mole is the FBI agent in charge. Sorry not too good with names. Jack asked his FBI handler chick if she trusts "agent in charge" and she says without a doubt. Usually in any show when something is "without a doubt" it means you can't trust them. Similar to in true or false questions where absolutes usually mean false.

Other then that, it might just be a flaw in the show, or it might be a sign of the mole or I missed something. When The FBI chick was torturing/questioning the sniper she "learns" of the terrorist group's plans to kidnap the Prime minister. Immediately preceeding that though, the terrorists got word of thier next job and one man exclaims....we dont even know what the NEXT job is. So how would the sniper know what the next target was? He had been unconcious/in the hospital well before the terrorists would have learned of the target AND the terrorists had already written him off so they wouldnt have gotten word to him.

 

[LipSmack]

My guess for the mole is the FBI agent in charge. Sorry not too good with names. Jack asked his FBI handler chick if she trusts "agent in charge" and she says without a doubt. Usually in any show when something is "without a doubt" it means you can't trust them. Similar to in true or false questions where absolutes usually mean false.

Other then that, it might just be a flaw in the show, or it might be a sign of the mole or I missed something. When The FBI chick was torturing/questioning the sniper she "learns" of the terrorist group's plans to kidnap the Prime minister. Immediately preceeding that though, the terrorists got word of thier next job and one man exclaims....we dont even know what the NEXT job is. So how would the sniper know what the next target was? He had been unconcious/in the hospital well before the terrorists would have learned of the target AND the terrorists had already written him off so they wouldnt have gotten word to him.

we didn't but the leader guy told tony in the second episode, to wait for tanner cuz he knew what the next job was and tanner was the guy she "interogated"

 

[Hulksmashed]

we didn't but the leader guy told tony in the second episode, to wait for tanner cuz he knew what the next job was and tanner was the guy she "interogated"

Ahh, I missed that. Thanks!

 

[SwedishHeat]

I'm confused about the conspiracy angle. The lady, Samantha, she was the President's son's wife in Redemption, right?? They were getting ready for the inauguration during Redemption and then the insider trading guy, discovered all the info and called up the President's son, and Samantha was trying to get the son to ignore the insider trading guy. The insider trading guy was killed and made to look like a suicide. Am I remembering that correctly??

So why in this season is Samantha saying she "loved him", the insider trading guy, and making it sound like the President's son was killed, when in Redemption, the insider trading guy and the President's son were two different people??

 

[Darklord Dave]

I'm confused about the conspiracy angle. The lady, Samantha, she was the President's son's wife in Redemption, right?? They were getting ready for the inauguration during Redemption and then the insider trading guy, discovered all the info and called up the President's son, and Samantha was trying to get the son to ignore the insider trading guy. The insider trading guy was killed and made to look like a suicide. Am I remembering that correctly??

So why in this season is Samantha saying she "loved him", the insider trading guy, and making it sound like the President's son was killed, when in Redemption, the insider trading guy and the President's son were two different people??

Jon Voight's character said something at the inauguration about having to take care of the President's son. Apparently that has happened in the time between end of Redemption and start of this season.

 

[SwedishHeat]

Jon Voight's character said something at the inauguration about having to take care of the President's son. Apparently that has happened in the time between end of Redemption and start of this season.

I figured it was the son, the blonde kid, who was offed. The bit with the insider trading threw me off, because I thought that's what the addict guy was involved with.

 

[Hulksmashed]

Is John Voit's character new, or has he been a recurring character on the show in previous seasons?

 

[LOTRFan]

Is John Voit's character new, or has he been a recurring character on the show in previous seasons?

He is new since the Redemption episode.

 

[**16k**]

I've finally seen all 4 episodes of the season premiere. I must admit I like what I've seen so far. The new setting with new lighting is a welcome change and the new characters range from the OK to the excellent. So far, on a 5 star rating, I'd give 5 for episode 1and 4, 4 for episodes 2 and 3.
So all in all, very good. Yet, I don't know what you think, but here are a few things which captured my attention:
The new President: I like the back story, the actress is good, but she seriously lacks charisma IMO. Her Husband would have made a better choice and is an interesting character.
Tony: I'm glad he's back though I think it was obvious from the very first episode he was a plant. When he asks Emmerson what the plan is, I immediately knew he wasn't a bad guy. But the confrontation between Jack and Tony in the interrogation room was a real treat. Not too keen on the explanation of how he didn't die. It's ridiculous to say the least. The " hypodermic coumpound" is too much of a Deus Ex Machina explanation to be credible. As for Emmerson's motivations to enlist him.... dubious.
Rennee is a great character that I hope won't die soon. She is probably the best creation in the series for a long time. I don't know you, but I wouldn't mind seeing a spin off series with her as the main character. I may be wrong but it seems to me that her relationship to her boss are more than just platonic, but I may be wrong here.
Janis is ok, and I kinda liked the cyberconfrontation between her and Chloe (especially the split screens), but ultimately, the characters look too much alike and one must go. Which makes it more than possible she is the mole, though I would rather accuse Ross for the moment. I don't think it is Sean Hillinger. Too obvious. Besides, I think he is only here for the pathos. He represents the audience that must share his fear for his wife and his grief should the plane happen to crash.
As for the White House, the choice of possibilities for a mole is limited: the Secretary of Defense (unlikely), the Secret Agent in charge of the First Gentleman's protection (possible) and the guy who is always with the President-I forgot his name and function (likely).
Now, to eagerly wait for episode 5!!!!!

 

[Darklord Dave]

I've finally seen all 4 episodes of the season premiere. I must admit I like what I've seen so far. The new setting with new lighting is a welcome change and the new characters range from the OK to the excellent.

Funny, I didn't realize how much I liked the CTU set until I noticed the contrast with the brightly lit FBI office. CTU was so much more dramatic.

Janis is ok, and I kinda liked the cyberconfrontation between her and Chloe (especially the split screens), but ultimately, the characters look too much alike and one must go. Which makes it more than possible she is the mole, though I would rather accuse Ross for the moment.

When they introduced Janis I thought they just wanted a Chloe-like character, so I was overjoyed when Chloe returned. I think they'll keep them both involved, going head to head throughout the season. Janis will have to gain in confidence though and start to become more assertive. I assume that's why they have Sean as such an a-hole - so she can stand up to him at some point.

I'd also agree that they've set up a conjugal relationship between Renee and her boss - or at least a past affair.

 

[**16k**]

Funny, I didn't realize how much I liked the CTU set until I noticed the contrast with the brightly lit FBI office. CTU was so much more dramatic.QUOTE]

If Jack, Chloe and Bill succeed (which they will of course!) it might the first stage for a reopening of CTU! Imagine! The FBI was unable to spot a huge terrorist plot when a rogue CTU cell did! That's what I call efficacy! Besides, Ep 5 trailer shows the first confrontation between Jack and President Taylor... So, if they want to make of her the new Palmer (which I read somewhere when she was cast), CTU might not be completely dead... unless they create a new agency!

EDIT: On the other hand, very unlikely since Howard Gordon hasjust confirmed on Eononline.com that season 8 would be the last one. Probably followed by a movie in which Jack's death could be the end...

 

[SwedishHeat]

I just think that the FBI is eerily similar to CTU. They may have gotten rid of CTU because it was becoming tired as a plot device, but when you just change the names and set dressing, it's still the same old thing.

-CTU always had a mole, now the FBI does.
-CTU had a socially awkward female in charge of communications, same with the FBI.
-CTU had some mid-level assistant who was acting shady but it just turned out he had a family member involved in the current crisis, i.e. Adam/Sylar, Edgar, etc., same with the FBI.
-The head of the CTU always butted heads with Jack until he/she finally came around and saw that they got results, they're setting up the same thing with the FBI boss and Renee.

Meet the old boss, same as the new boss.

 

[Darklord Dave]

I still can't get over the fact that they put this device that could take down all of the nation into the hands of terrorists just to catch some corrupt politicians. In this case the ends do NOT justify the means. I hope they come up with some ulterior reason for the President to be acting like she is though - I'd have to agree with the Secretary of State - she's an idiot.

 

[Agent23]

I gotta agree w/you Dave. But, they have always have had some outrageous storylines at times.

I'm still enjoying the new season so far.

 

[**16k**]

Still enjoying it too in spite of the nonsense!
Think about that one: The Secret Service agent kidnaps the 1st Gentleman. He plans on killing him AFTER the Son's GF arrives. Conclusion, the poison wears of and the 1st G is saved!
How stupid is that? He could have killed the 1st G before and place the knife in his hand just the same!!!!! So, not very realistic!
And I can't help myself thinking how great the Sangala issue would have been with Palmer with a whole new racial viewpoint! Imagine! An AA President favors a Sangala invasion and chooses to sacrifice Americans. We could have had a great story with a complete distrust of the President's choices based on racial issue, and of course, Palmer being who he was (fair and honest), he would have been right in the end! What a great, positive racial message it would have been!!!!