By Elaine B
Lesson Learned: America’s got hope, and it took a very long day to prove that 24 does, too.
Actually, there are a lot of lessons in the final two hours of Day 7. Revenge is messy (courtesy of Tony and Olivia, who both pay steep prices for going after those who have wronged them). Talk is no substitute for bullets (Tony, who should have known shooting Wilson was better than telling the man why he was being shot — as if Wilson would care). Being President is a lonely job (Allison Taylor). Don’t become the enemy (Renee).
I’m not going to try to recap the action of the final two hours when you can watch the final episode on multiple Internet sites. It would take a long, long time and commenting on the oddly hopeful tone of Day 7 is far more interesting.
Rumor has it that ultra-liberal Janeane Garofalo was not going to take the role of Janis Gold until she read the script. Than, as may be likely for detractors still tuning into the series instead of just criticizing it, she must have thought, “Wow! Who is writing this day anyway?” Sure there was plenty of action, but much of it also resulted in some interesting reactions. Most notable were Jack’s earlier scenes with the Muslim imam and how the two of them quickly broke down barriers and found a way to work together to save lives or Al-Zarian trusting Jack and Renee enough to risk his life to locate and contain the bio-weapon. If this were real life, Pres. Taylor would be pinning a medal on the man. Maybe she will in Day 8.
But what was best of all were Jack’s final words to Renee, who frantically wants to make the plot’s mastermind Alan Wilson talk. “I can make him talk!” she tells Jack, who immediately cautions her not to break the rules unless she can live with the consequences. “I’ve been wrestling with this my whole life,” he says, explaining that when he sees a terrorist situation, he simply reacts to do whatever is necessary. He doesn’t condone what he does, but he accepts it even as he cautions her, “When you cross a line, it always starts off with small steps … Try to make choices you can live with.”
She does, and watching her enter the room where Wilson is waiting for his lawyer is incredible. She may be Jack’s worthy successor, as rumor has it he doesn’t want to be living these terrible days indefinitely.
But for me, the finest moment was the brief compliment Chloe gave Janis and the hint of a smile on her face as she left FBI HQ to go home to her husband and child. Well done, Chloe! Well done, all!
Looking forward to Day 8? As previously reported, part of it will take place in New York City. There are other leaks. CTU will be reorganized, possibly under Pres. Taylor. With virtually all of the original CTU group dead and Tony off the deep end, Chloe and Jack will be the bridge to a new group of operatives. There will be two new young agents and a new CTU chief (did anyone expect Jack would want a desk job?) The plot will involve a Mideast peacekeeping mission, rumored to be headed by Anil Kapoor (the game show host in Slumdog Millionaire). And if this season seemed to have better writing and acting than usual, it may have something to do with a longer shooting time. The producers saw a winner and intend to continue with a similar schedule. Filming of Day 8 starts soon.
©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Greg Gayne/FOX