The revelation that a Chinese national has been helping Marwan with the stolen nuclear weapon should not have come as much of a surprise. There’s some evidence that the notorious Pakistani nuclear scientist A. Q. Khan’s black market network of nuclear materials and expertise received significant contributions from the People’s Republic of China. In fact, both the Pakistani and North Korean bomb may be brought to us courtesy of Communist China.
Even though Jack dismissed the idea of Chinese government involvement with Marwan, in real life we may not be so lucky. The fact is, China has been gradually shifting its military strategy over the last decade to include “Unconventional Warfare” in its strategic calculations. This is in keeping with the age old Chinese strategy based on the ancient game of “Go” where stones are moved around a board presenting almost infinite permutations and options. Their assistance with the nascent nuclear programs of Pakistan and North Korea (as well as probably Iran and Libya) is part of their overall strategy of defense. As they see it, they cannot compete with the US technologically in the military sphere and won’t be able to for at least another 10 years (some analysts think 20 years is more accurate). Hence, by arming our potential enemies with nukes, they keep us too busy to bother much with them.
Meanwhile, they’re beginning to stalk Taiwan like a hungry cat. While a Communist Chinese invasion of the tiny island isn’t imminent, all signs point to Beijing wishing to solve its “Taiwan problem” sooner rather than later.
One more thing to chew on; the Chinese are the most patient people on the planet. With a civilization that goes back nearly 4000 years, they tend to take a really long view of things – much more so than we do in the West. With that in mind, here’s a quote from perhaps the most famous military strategist in history, Sun Tzu:
All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
– Sun Tzu, the Art of WarSUMMARY
President Jellyfish nearly swoons in relief when President Palmer shows up to help him. The scene is stomach churning. I hope that’s the last we see of this spineless, miserable excuse for a President.
In contrast to Logan’s cowardice, Chloe proves she’s got some real geek cohones when she hacks Ardakani’s hard drive in the field immediately after gunning down an assassin. The information leads to a Chinese national, one Lee Jong. A former Chinese nuke scientist, Jack reassures us that he’s not working with the Chinese government (hope so…as we’ll see shortly, we already have enough trouble with the Chicoms). Lee has taken refuge in the Chinese Consulate
As predicted, Audrey wants to go with Paul back east for treatment on his spine and set up house with him. Poor Jack doesn’t know yet but probably suspects as much. When he comes into the CTU medical ward to thank Paul for saving his life, he sees how close Audrey and Paul are. Given Audrey’s attitude toward Jack over the last few hours, he can hardly be surprised.
Back in the Presidential bunker, the crisis machinery of government is humming along nicely as Palmer takes charge. In a conversation with the Chinese Consul Mr. Khu, he asks very politely if they can please take Mr. Lee into custody so that we can torture the little bugger and find out where the hell Marwan’s nuke is before our east coast is toast.
Understandably, Mr. Khu is reluctant to give up a Chinese national and place him at the mercy of these barbarians from such a young country as the United States. He must get permission from the Premier. Since the formal greetings to the Premier alone will take 1/2 an hour, it’s doubtful Mr. Khu will get back to us in time. Sure enough, when Bill informs Palmer that all signs point to the nuke being used before sunrise on the east coast – less than two hours away – Palmer needs to make other arrangements.
Those other arrangements include Jack, of course. Not content with breaking most of the laws on the books in the United States to get to Marwan before its too late, Jack now must violate the UN Charter, half a dozen formal and informal agreements with China, and probably the Law of the Sea Treaty to get Lee out of the Consulate and into the waiting hands of Richard at CTU and his little black bag of magic truth potions. But of course, Jack has got to do the job without involving the government. If any of his CTU force is caught or killed, the Secretary (and the President) will disavow any knowledge of his actions. All that was missing from Palmer was “Good luck, Mr. Bauer.”
With Tony’s off the books help with satellite coverage from CTU, Jack enters the Consulate and makes his way toward the room where Lee is waiting. With the skills of a catburglar, Jack reaches the room and with two punches in two seconds knocks out both Lee and his babysitter. Making his way out is a lot more difficult than trying to break in as the entire Consulate is roused into action and guards start shooting wildly, missing Jack but hitting both Lee and Mr. Khu. In addition, the CTU driver is unmasked briefly, allowing a guard to see his face. He also gets a cut on the face that bleeds.
Can you say “Positive ID with conclusive DNA match?”
When the Assistant Consul calls to complain about the raid, Palmer is shocked, shocked I tell you that such a thing could happen. The implications involving the death of the Chinese Consul are serious indeed which is why Palmer offers to help:
Palmer: Your government will have my complete cooperation.
Asst. Consul: Thank you Mr. President. I’m sure you will be hearing from us again…very soon.
Said quite ominously with a dash of oriental inscrutability. I don’t think we’ve heard the last from the Chinese, have you?
And back at CTU Chloe gets a little geek support from fat geek Edgar. All I can say about this exchange between the two is “typical Chloe:
Chloe: Edgar, I appreciate your concern. I really do. It’s just that when I shot that guy I thought I’d go all fetal position. But the truth is, I didn’t feel anything at al. I hope I’m not some kind of psychopath.
FGE: Well, he was trying to kill you...
Chloe: Yeah, but still…
FGE: Maybe it’s a delayed reaction kind of thing. Maybe you’ll freak out about it in a couple of days.
Chloe: I hope so.
We hope so too, darlin’.
Meanwhile, Bill has a hissy fit when he finds out Jack went into the Consulate without his knowledge and takes it out on poor Tony who was only trying help Jack. Bill lets the bureaucrat get the better of him on this issue. The whole point was to keep people out of the loop which he would have realized if he wasn’t so concerned about his “turf” being violated. Tony suspects ulterior motives for Bill’s blowup relating to his relationship with Michelle and how she and Tony have been getting friendlier and friendlier as the hours go by.
Part of that friendliness is the result of a phone call from Trailer Trash Jen, Tony’s live-in girlfriend who’s been supporting him since he got out of jail and was wondering where the heck he was. After Michelle gets almost weepy at the prospect of her beloved Tony in the arms of another woman, Tony assures Michelle that he doesn’t love Jen (Jeez! Who could?) which seems to settle her down some.
The two of them are moving for some kind of reconciliation…probably just as the bomb goes off.
The final scene has more drama in it than 3 soap operas, two episodes of Law and Order, and the movie Titanic all rolled into one. Just as she was getting flight information for their trip back east, Audrey watches helplessly as Paul relapses and is rushed into emergency surgery. Meanwhile, after obtaining immunity for Mr. Lee from the President, Jack is on the way to the same emergency surgery unit at CTU with the critically wounded scientist. Something’s got to give and, unfortunately for Paul, national security trumps all.
The Dr. about ready to operate on Paul is reluctant to leave his patient knowing he will die – that is, until Jack uses his persuasive powers (and his gun) to convince the Doctor otherwise. As the doc examines Mr. Lee, Paul goes into defib and Jack and Curtis try to revive him. The doc can do nothing. Curtis can do nothing. Jack can do nothing.
Paul is dead. An angry and upset Audrey makes it pretty clear that Jack is going to have to make other sleeping arrangements from here on out.
And with a look that can only be described as that of a little lost boy, Jack tries to push the entire episode out of his mind so that he can do his job and save us all.
BODY COUNT
Mr. Khu succumbs to friendly fire. Paul doesn’t have to worry anymore about being paralyzed.
Jack: 40
Show: 223
Chloe: 1
SPECULATION
Look for Secretary of Defense Heller to make an appearance next week to comfort his daughter and give Jack what for about the Chinese operation. Jack may be looking for another job too.
I’m leaning toward the idea that Tony will be killed before the final episode. Just a feeling but I think after the coming reconciliation with Michelle, his demise will come swiftly…probably saving Jack’s life.
9:01 am
Fantastic analysis SH. So much to say and you said most of it already.
A few Qs:
1) Did you add Paul to Jack’s body count? Though he was shot by the terrorists, it’s arguable that Jack, um, killed him… even as he tried to save him. Audrey will surely see it that way.
2) Heller: any additional thoughts on his possible involvement in the terrorist plot? There’s that DOD link yet.
3) Tony is toast by end of season—:( But will he and Michelle get a real, spoken, huggy resolution before then, H’wood style?
Man, only 3 episodes left (must be more like 4 or 5 hrs?) What the heck am I gonna do all summer? Watch the Orioles, I guess.
9:06 am
1. C’mon! Doesn’t poor Jack have enough trouble? You are really mean!
2. Wouldn’t it be a bitch if it turned out Heller was the mastermind? Every time I think he’s involved I remember he and Audrey were kidnapped. Be a stretch to think he’s a terrorist because of that.
3. No time for that kind of resolution but expect smiles and a heartfelt kiss.
9:30 am
Once again, thank you for the summary!
Troll bashing party at my place.
10:49 am
the last scene was so very powerful. it showed us that these professionals, who have stuck with their integrity and sense of honor in the toughest of decisions, have also had to pay personal costs. they have had to place their lives, integrity, and those they love on the line. even jack was nearly broken by the decision he had to make that affected people he loved and cared about in his life. i also was amazed at palmer, a man of character committed to honesty, who had to lie to the chinese. then there’s tony, continuing to redeem himself, taking the abuse of bill, who lost his head. i’m not thinking they’ll kill tony off, but maybe they will, making himthe example of ultimate sacrifice. he did what was wrong for the right reasons to save michelle; he paid a heavy price and let himself fall into a sorry state; he rose to the challenge and found himself by saving jack; his redemption continued as he was brought back into the fold and given leadership in ctu; more redemption with michelle; falls back out of grace by helping jack again. he’s been treated unjustly again via bill. it’s cost him all the way around. i don’t know, they owe him too much to kill him off,hmmmmm. . . this has been an incredible ride, great writing and storytelling. it hasn’t pussyfooted around serious issues. it’s shown us that maybe the good guys won’t always win but they’ll die trying, that there are things worth sacrificing ourselves for, that courage and integrity will always come through for us in the end, that the least likely characters will be our heroes while the perceived great ones will fail us, that in 4 weeks i will begin wondering what jack bauer will be up to next fall (maybe doing a jason bourne-identity kind of thing [the book, not the movie]) and whether the writers will be able to pull it off again.
10:54 am
p.s.
and lest we forget, bill clinton helped the chinese out quite a bit with his generous contributions??????
10:54 am
Sue: Great comment! I too am curious what they can do to top this season and I like the idea of Jack as Jason (the book) although it may be that the show will have a different hero next year if it does come back.
Re; Bourne. Why the hell couldn’t they at least have tried to follow some of the story line, among the most compelling in the genre.
12:06 pm
another thought that i posted at ABpundits, too: jack yells, “we had him!! we had him!!” how many times did clinton have bin laden cornered and let him get away because he is unable to divorce himself from the politics which, outside of his sexual appetite, he bases his every move?
and about replacing kiefer? he has to be exhausted, but i’m VERY skeptical about anyone being able to move in to carry the show as he does. x-files wasn’t x-files without mulder; cookie monster isn’t cookie monster without facefulls of cookies; bugs bunny ain’t bugs bunny without mel blanc. . . some things just shouldn’t be messed with. there’s good reason to put jack in the amnesia state with the chinese after him. then he could figure out that the government is after him too while his memory comes back while saving the world once again. the 24 writers have continued to fool us and keep it fresh and i’m hoping they will take us on a rollercoaster ride to a new place, but, with jack bauer. :-}
and matt damon ain’t no jason bourne. lousy casting.
2:16 pm
Sue, you’ve added lotsa good stuff to think on today, and recently, re 24! You seem new around here, but that might just be because I’M new to the neighborhood. Do you have a blog?
2:30 am
What ever happened to the pilot who shot down AF1? Is he still flying around or what? I hate those gaps.
7:54 am
As far as the whereabouts of the Opie-resembling pilot that shot down AF1, I recall that at the top of the following hour someone at CTU announced that one of the president’s fighter pilots shot him down.
And I still believe that baldy is still dead.
And Kiefer goes with 24 like peas go with carrots, or peanut butter goes with jelly, or Harrison Ford goes with Indiana Jones. He may seem stuck in this role, but what an amazing character to keep testing!
7:57 am
The terrorist pilot was indeed announced as being shot down but…
As someone pointed out in a comment, the pilot’s last conversation with Marwan included the assurance that the young man would be able to disappear forever. The plane may have been shot down but was Opie still in it?
12:23 pm
I’m still of the mind that Jack’s girlfriend, Heller’s daughter, is a mole. Somebody knew where they were that morning (Heller’s son’s house, Audrey’s brother) and had access to Paul’s (Audrey’s husband) info for leasing the house to terrorists. My money’s on Audrey. And on her getting killed or killing Jack.
12:29 pm
I was ripped a new one by commenters here for suggesting the exact same thing about 6 weeks ago. But IT MAKES SENSE!
WHO ELSE would have the transponder code for the football so Marwan could find it in the desert?
WHO ELSE would have access to all those American mercs that have been helping Marwan?
You already mentioned the connection with Paul. Who else would’ve known that the Secretary would be at his son’s house that day he was kidnapped?
For all these reasons (and because the show loves killer surprises) I’ll go out there with you on that limb and say that…
AUDREY IS THE MOLE!
10:14 pm
My 24 Obsession
I am so addicted to the Fox show 24. I have noticed that it’s a show that seems to be popular with conservatives….is it because it’s not policitcally correct?
2:21 pm
Does any find it strange that CTU did not have sufficient Doctors and medical services available to handle both Jack’s requirements to save the Chinese terrorist and Paul?
3:55 pm
tamiflu
councilmen?farmhouse?reasoning accord
1:27 pm
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