While the first season of 24 had it's up's (the first 12 episodes all formed the most cohesive plot of the show's run) and it's down's (Teri's unnecessary amnesia plot), I don't think any fan of 24 can deny that this is one of, if not the best, episodes of the entire season. 1.24 has it all: deception, miscommunication, suspense, action, pathos, and what will arguably be the greatest surprise ending ever in the show's history.
Continuing from the previous episode, in which Jack foiled another assassination attempt on David Palmer's life from the Drazens, Jack decides to trade himself for his daughter, but Nina Myers (a.k.a. Yelena) discovers that Palmer is still alive, and worse yet, since Kim escaped in the previous episode (and she safely gets away from the docks in this episode), the Drazens have no more bargaining chip. Nevertheless, the Drazens have Nina call Jack when he gets to the docks to tell him that Kim is dead. The Drazens think this will break Jack's spirit, but instead, this leads to what is arguably the greatest pier shootout in history, as Jack goes commando and drives a van barreling right into the Drazens' hideout, and single-handedly wipes out every occupant in the vicinity, including both of the Drazen brothers. It is here that we really see how Jack has been affected by the events that have transpired over the course of the day, and how he is finally letting it all out in one big orgy of violence.
In addition, we also find out that David has won the California Presidential Primary, and that he will be sworn in as President, an event that causes David to re-evaluate his relationship with his wife Sherry. I have never had any problem with the acting on the show, and this episode is certainly no exception. Dennis Haysbert and Penny Jerald both give excellent performances as David informs Sherry that he won't take her on as his running mate, and you can feel the emotions on the actor's faces.
Still, the best part of this episode is how it absolutely blindsides you. Jack has killed the bad guy, saved the Senator twice, and can now go back to his family. Of course, it's never that easy. Jack finds out that Nina was the one who killed Jamey earlier in the day, and he realizes that he was being played all along. This leads to an insane shootout in the CTU parking garage as Jack and Nina exchange gunfire while driving towards each other. In the end, though, it is Mason's calm advice that keeps Jack from killing Nina, and the ironic thing is that Nina had already hurt Jack by killing a person that he loved. It is in the final moments of the season where we find out just how needless Nina's actions were, as Jack finds Teri dead in the CTU communications room. It was so shocking that fans of the show even refused to believe she was dead, but there was nothing that could be done. I dare say that Kiefer Sutherland gives his best performance of the series to date, as he goes from anger to vengeance to elation to sadness and grief all in the span of a single episode.
One thing I also enjoyed throughout the show was that the action scenes didn't take place at the end of the episode, like they happened to do in nearly every other episode of the series, which I thought allowed more room for the characters to interact and react to situations.
I have seen this particular episode of 24 at least three times during my life, and every time I have viewed it, I have never noticed any discernible plot holes or errors. Yes, there is a flashback in the final moments of the episode as Jack is holding Teri's lifeless body and remembering their past experiences, but it is the only such instance of a flashback occurring on the show, and it works to great effect here. Again, everything just clicks, and from the use of the split-screens to the acting and direction, it is quite a sight.
Bottom Line: I believe (in my opinion) that this is the finest episode of the show's run. There isn't anything before or since that has come close to conveying the right balance of action, drama and emotion in such a small time frame. I am giving this episode a 10 out of 10. It is definitely a winner, and representative of what "24" is all about.
Continuing from the previous episode, in which Jack foiled another assassination attempt on David Palmer's life from the Drazens, Jack decides to trade himself for his daughter, but Nina Myers (a.k.a. Yelena) discovers that Palmer is still alive, and worse yet, since Kim escaped in the previous episode (and she safely gets away from the docks in this episode), the Drazens have no more bargaining chip. Nevertheless, the Drazens have Nina call Jack when he gets to the docks to tell him that Kim is dead. The Drazens think this will break Jack's spirit, but instead, this leads to what is arguably the greatest pier shootout in history, as Jack goes commando and drives a van barreling right into the Drazens' hideout, and single-handedly wipes out every occupant in the vicinity, including both of the Drazen brothers. It is here that we really see how Jack has been affected by the events that have transpired over the course of the day, and how he is finally letting it all out in one big orgy of violence.
In addition, we also find out that David has won the California Presidential Primary, and that he will be sworn in as President, an event that causes David to re-evaluate his relationship with his wife Sherry. I have never had any problem with the acting on the show, and this episode is certainly no exception. Dennis Haysbert and Penny Jerald both give excellent performances as David informs Sherry that he won't take her on as his running mate, and you can feel the emotions on the actor's faces.
Still, the best part of this episode is how it absolutely blindsides you. Jack has killed the bad guy, saved the Senator twice, and can now go back to his family. Of course, it's never that easy. Jack finds out that Nina was the one who killed Jamey earlier in the day, and he realizes that he was being played all along. This leads to an insane shootout in the CTU parking garage as Jack and Nina exchange gunfire while driving towards each other. In the end, though, it is Mason's calm advice that keeps Jack from killing Nina, and the ironic thing is that Nina had already hurt Jack by killing a person that he loved. It is in the final moments of the season where we find out just how needless Nina's actions were, as Jack finds Teri dead in the CTU communications room. It was so shocking that fans of the show even refused to believe she was dead, but there was nothing that could be done. I dare say that Kiefer Sutherland gives his best performance of the series to date, as he goes from anger to vengeance to elation to sadness and grief all in the span of a single episode.
One thing I also enjoyed throughout the show was that the action scenes didn't take place at the end of the episode, like they happened to do in nearly every other episode of the series, which I thought allowed more room for the characters to interact and react to situations.
I have seen this particular episode of 24 at least three times during my life, and every time I have viewed it, I have never noticed any discernible plot holes or errors. Yes, there is a flashback in the final moments of the episode as Jack is holding Teri's lifeless body and remembering their past experiences, but it is the only such instance of a flashback occurring on the show, and it works to great effect here. Again, everything just clicks, and from the use of the split-screens to the acting and direction, it is quite a sight.
Bottom Line: I believe (in my opinion) that this is the finest episode of the show's run. There isn't anything before or since that has come close to conveying the right balance of action, drama and emotion in such a small time frame. I am giving this episode a 10 out of 10. It is definitely a winner, and representative of what "24" is all about.