Episode 7
Air Date: Monday, June 9, 2014, 8:00 PM ET/PT on Fox
Rating:
“She killed my mom.” – Yasmin
“5:00 PM—6:00 PM” picks up following the intense shootout between Rask (Aksel Hennie), his men, and the MI-5 soldiers with Jack (Kiefer Sutherland) and Morgan (Yvonne Strahovski) caught in the middle. When the dust settles, Chloe (Mary Lynn Rajskub) informs Jack Simone (Emily Berrington) was hit by a bus and taken to the hospital. Will Jack be able to gain some information from Simone, or will she succumb to her injuries?
While Jack and Morgan race to talk to Simone, Chloe continues to work alone in what was once the hideout of the hacker group Open Cell. She gets a mysterious message warning her to “Get out of there,” and she barely manages to escape as British police storm the building. Was the message sent by Cross (Michael Wincott), the group’s founder, and if it was him, why be so cryptic about it?
It’s fun seeing President Heller (William Devane) get worked up as he confronts Prime Minister Davies (Stephen Fry). There’s something about Devane’s voice, especially when upset, that comes across as authoritative. I really appreciate how Heller addresses Davies’ concerns about his Alzheimer’s, and I hope the writers heed the same advice. Personally, I don’t think something as serious as Alzheimer’s should be reduced to a gimmicky plot device.
So much for keeping Simone’s accident quiet. After wondering what’s taking Simone so long to kill Farah (Tehmina Sunny) and her daughter Yasmin (Nikita Mehta), Margot (Michelle Fairley) calls Simone’s cell phone, only to be informed of her accident by a medic. Concerned what the police might find out, Margot sends one of her henchmen to the hospital to keep an eye on things. For a moment, I thought we saw a flash of Margot actually being concerned about her daughter. Turns out she was only worried the mission might be compromised.
During “4:00 PM—5:00 PM,” we learned Navarro (Benjamin Bratt) was secretly working for someone and that the two had set up Morgan’s husband to take the fall as a traitor. The idea that Cross was the other man behind the plot was not on my radar at all. Suddenly, the friction between Jack and Cross when Jack first showed up at Open Cell with the CIA hot on his tail makes sense.
Cross’ involvement opens up a new can of worms. Is Cross connected to Margot’s drone plot or is he up to something entirely different? If Navarro is working for Cross, why doesn’t Navarro try to help Chloe when she’s being tortured? Maybe the most important question should be does Chloe know Cross is up to something?
Realizing that CIA Intelligence analyst Jordan Reed (Giled Matthey) might be onto his shady dealings, Navarro sends Reed on a routine mission to supposedly pick up a secret drop at the marina. As Reed approaches a boat, he is shot and falls in the water. Later, he emerges from the water wounded but alive. This kind of scene has almost become the norm on 24 as we learn, once again, there is a mole within whatever government agency Jack happens to be working with. With the shortened season already winding down, I worry the Cross/mole storyline will come off as rushed.
While Jack checks on Simone’s condition, Morgan talks to Yasmin to find out what she witnessed. Morgan leans Simone was warning Farah to get out of town before the struggle happened. Unfortunately, one of Margot’s henchmen is eavesdropping during their conversation and informs Margot about her daughter’s betrayal. Furious, Margot orders one of the hijacked drones to be diverted toward the hospital.
Jack learns the hard way that Simone warning Farah and Yasmin to get out of town does not mean she is willing to betray her mother. Jack tries to increase his interrogation of Simone but she ends up passing out.
Jack and Morgan regroup to figure out their next plan when Jack notices Margot’s henchman lurking about. Hoping to capture him alive, Jack and Morgan chase him through the hospital until hospital security shoots him. Searching the dead man’s cell phone, Jack learns of Margot’s plan to blow up the hospital in order to prevent Simone from talking to the authorities. The hospital is evacuated just as the drone missile hits the building.
I have seen Jack outrun bullets but outrunning a drone? I was impressed by the quality of explosions and stunts as Jack, Morgan, and an unconscious Simone are chased by Margot’s drone throughout London. The explosions seem real and not CGI, which is the typical route for most TV shows these days.
Boudreau (Tate Donovan) secretly meets with Russian Deputy Minister Anatol (Stanley Townsend). Anatol has figured out Boudreau forged the President’s signature. With a warning that what he did amounts to treason, the Deputy Minister cautions Boudreau that failure to turn over Jack will be met with severe consequences. Either way, I doubt Jack will go down without a fight.
Following the attack on the hospital, Jack and Morgan decide to take Simone to the London CIA office where there is an infirmary. On the way there, President Heller reaches out to Jack, asking him to stop in where he is staying while in London.
Unbeknownst to his staff, President Heller contacts Margot in an effort to stop the drone attacks. Heller asks whether she will keep her word if he surrenders. Heller tells her this isn’t a ploy to buy more time, stating, “As you suggested, my decision has already been made.” With that, the 24 clock hits 6:00.
Could Jack be on his way to take President Heller to Margot, and what will he think of the President’s plan to surrender himself?
Tweet me @staffaroadtrip or leave a comment below to let me know what you think about “5:00 PM—6:00 PM”.
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Greg Staffa
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