Marwan’s escape and the subsequent activation of another terrorist cell means that once again, America is on the terrorist’s clock. This time, with the hint that the attack will be at an Air Force base, you can bet dollars to navy beans that we’re looking at something really grim; probably something to do with nuclear weapons this time.

Speaking of weapons…I was a little skeptical of the “pulse bomb” McGlennon-Forster was using to wipe the computer files until I did a little research…fascinating stuff.

Electromagnetic pulse effects have been observed since the beginning ot the atomic age. They’re caused by the 2 million degree heat generated when a nuclear device is set off. That heat, which lasts for a couple millionths of a second, changes from thermal energy to electromagnetic energy after it cools down. This “pulse” is a line-of-sight effect; that is, the energy can’t penetrate the earth’s crust so it’s pretty much limited to wherever the horizon is. Obviously, if you set it off at ground level, the effect is very limited; about 22 miles from ground zero.

But suppose you send some nukes into low earth orbit? If you set them off in space over North America the effect would be devastating. Everything that uses a micro chip-from cars to toys-would be shut down. Only “hardened” or shielded devices would be exempt from the effects of the blast. It would pretty much destroy western civilization.

Currently, the only practical way to generate the enormous energies required for the effect is the detonation of a nuke. But the Pentagon is working on several non-nuclear alternatives, including something very much like the device on the first floor of the McGlennon-Forster building.

Feel better now? I knew that you would…

SUMMARY

Following Marwan’s escape, Jack and Paul head over to McGlennon-Forster to try and pick up the thread on the terrorist mastermind. Audrey has a request for Jack:

Audrey: Take care of Paul. He’s not like you Jack (a brutal, thuggish, torturer: Ed.). Please promise me you’ll look after him?
Jack: Yeah…I will.

And you know that Jack is willing die to keep that promise. Because when Jack makes a promise, it’s his blood-bond at stake. His word is his life.

Maybe in this case he’ll make an exception? NAAAAAWWWWW!

Meanwhile, as Erin descends into darkness following Maya’s suicide, it becomes apparent that she’s incapable of continuing as director of CTU. Now who should we get to replace her? MMMMMMMM…We need someone with experience, someone with courage, someone who can lead, someone with the cohones to stand up to division when necessary.

And someone with the smarmy good looks and great bod to make female fans keep watching the show!

As predicted by me here Tony is made interim director of CTU. After a brief skirmish with Curtis over turf, Tony jumps right in to help Jack and Paul who’ve arrived at McGlennon-Forster. They’re met by Security VP Dave Conlon (played by Tomas Arana who was Quintas in Gladiator) who promises “full cooperation.”

Meanwhile, Gene McGlennon (played by “Life Goes On” dad Bill Smitrovitch) is convinced by IT VP John Reese to try and cover up Marwan’s full involvement in the shady dealings of the defense contractor. As Paul manipulates the computer system trying to get at Marwan’s files, it becomes obvious to the corporate criminals that the jig is about up. And like the Republicans in Congress, the bad guys decide to go nuclear. They give the order to activate the “pulse bomb” that will wipe every computer in the building-not to mention affect the power grid and land lines for most of Los Angles county.

As the bomb builds up power, the phones go down preventing Tony from telling Jack about the EMP build up. They resort for the first time in television history (as far as I know) to the IM.

Note to producers: Please get some cool emoticons and better fonts for IM windows. And for God’s sake add a little color, will ya? And maybe some neat sound effects like cats meowing or birds chirping or something…

Too late, Jack tries closing the blast doors but the pulse bomb goes off…but not until after Paul has printed out some encoded files from Marwan’s computer. The cascade effect from the pulse knocks out power to most of the city while Jack and Paul try to make their escape from the building. Paul is caught by Conlon/Quintas while Jack, lucky to be alive, hurries towards him.

And Tony? Heller calls Tony into the conference room:

Heller: We got lucky. Division had someone available with the appropriate qualifications and CTU experience. I’d like you to stick around and assist Ms. Deschler.

Tony: Who?

Heller: Do you know her?

Tony: I was married to her!

Indeed…

BODY COUNT

It was brought to my attention by loyal reader Jasimine that I did not include Maya in the body count last week. That change is reflected below:

Jack: 18 dead
Show: 101 dead

We don’t know the casualty figures yet on the power plant meltdown. And since I included the 32 dead from the train wreck from the first night, I guess I’ll have to include however many bit the dust as a result of the meltdown.

LOOSE ENDS

No word on what happened to Baldy who was pistol whipped by Curtis last week. But then, the writers went 4 weeks without a word about Maya and then they killed her off.

Also, the President is still on the plane! Where was he visiting, the moon? He’s been flying for at least 8 hours (we saw him first after Heller had been kidnapped at 11:00 am). Better get on the ground soon or the press is going to have a field day with this.