The season began with Arabic extremists being responsible for the nuclear attack on American soil. Then it turned out the NSA, led by Roger Stanton, was also involved. And then it was all revealed to be an elaborate scam concocted by some businessmen, Peter Kingsley (Tobin Bell) among them, in order to make more money thanks to a gratuitous war. And now, with only three episodes to go before the day ends, another element is "introduced".
The element is Sherry Palmer (Penny Johnson), returning to the show after more than ten episodes in which she was missing. The last minutes of the previous hour indicated she might be involved in the conspiracy (something that had already been suggested about fourteen hours before that), and so the majority of the 60 minutes that occur between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m. are spent showing an open confrontation between Sherry and Jack, who has never liked the former First Lady's methods. In other news, newly appointed President Jim Prescott gives his approval to the initiation of the already announced conflict with the Middle East, and Tony and Michelle decide to neutralize Ryan in some way in order to help Jack. Oh, and Kim's in trouble. Again.
That Mrs. Palmer was an unreliable, manipulative witch was obvious from her very first appearance in Day One (yes, it was that evident), but few could have predicted she would go as far as scheming against her ex husband at the expense of democracy. Clearly fond of her role, Johnson plays Sherry in typical femme fatale fashion which, paired with a new cameo by Tobin Bell, makes this episode one of the most enjoyable in terms of subtle acting. No complaints about her verbal duel with Sutherland, either. Bravo. Can't wait to see how this ends.
The element is Sherry Palmer (Penny Johnson), returning to the show after more than ten episodes in which she was missing. The last minutes of the previous hour indicated she might be involved in the conspiracy (something that had already been suggested about fourteen hours before that), and so the majority of the 60 minutes that occur between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m. are spent showing an open confrontation between Sherry and Jack, who has never liked the former First Lady's methods. In other news, newly appointed President Jim Prescott gives his approval to the initiation of the already announced conflict with the Middle East, and Tony and Michelle decide to neutralize Ryan in some way in order to help Jack. Oh, and Kim's in trouble. Again.
That Mrs. Palmer was an unreliable, manipulative witch was obvious from her very first appearance in Day One (yes, it was that evident), but few could have predicted she would go as far as scheming against her ex husband at the expense of democracy. Clearly fond of her role, Johnson plays Sherry in typical femme fatale fashion which, paired with a new cameo by Tobin Bell, makes this episode one of the most enjoyable in terms of subtle acting. No complaints about her verbal duel with Sutherland, either. Bravo. Can't wait to see how this ends.