The Sound Room

24: Day 6 Finale

by Matt Putnam

Well we are finally at the end of Day 6, and I’d have to say I’m a little disappointed. Now, there were some pretty sweet moments: Papa Bauer killing Graem, greasy Milo getting capped, Jack’s sliding kill shot, Audrey coming back, the look on Curtis’ face when Jack shot him, President Palmer’s near death/comeback, and, of course, every time Jack choked someone. (There were three of them, I think.) Overall, though, I thought the plot was pretty weak. They failed to follow up on President Palmer 2.0, the Lisa affair wasn’t intriguing, no real mole/betrayal, and too much sensitive Jack time.

At the end of last season, Jack was kidnapped by the Chinese. It blew my mind. I couldn’t wait for Day 6. However, the end of Jack’s 6th really bad day, we fade to black watching Jack stare off into the distance. I’m not sure what to take away from this season. Maybe we were supposed to be thinking, “will Jack ever have a normal life with Audrey?” Although this question might really concern my wife, I couldn’t care less. I want plot twists, bullets flying, traitors, payback, and Jack Bauer playing grim reaper. I have high hopes for next year. But we know a few things are certain: the President will change, the politicians will waiver, the pencil pushers will scuttle, and Jack Bauer will kick ass and kill terrorists.

Things to Expect Next Season: A pregnant, moody Chloe (d’oh). The Buchanans will be tortured, kidnapped or killed (ala the Almeidas). And, yes, I think there is a fairly good chance we’ll see Jack Bauer’s death (Gasp!).

Things Not to Expect Next Season: Don’t expect to catch Jack Bauer listening to Wham! Jack will not be seen sipping a caramel macchiato. Jack Bauer will not be heard singing the Meow Mix song.

24: 3-4am

by Matt Putnum

Admittedly, as I expected this episode was used to setup the finale. But there were some cool things that happened and the bullet count was high.

First, I have to give props to Jack’s flanking, sliding kill-shot. He looked like Ichiro mixed with John McClane (Die Hard). Very cool.

It was good to see Lisa kicking some Russian spy butt. It’s too bad she had to get the patented Bauer choke. I wonder if Jack Bauer get’s royalties every time someone on TV uses his choke move. If he doesn’t, he should. And if you’re using his choke, you might want to watch your back.

Now that the Chinese have failed, Phillip Bauer has gone to acting President Daniels to get his grandson back. And what’s worse, Daniels and CTU are going along with it. So, it looks like Doyle's back on Jack’s crap list. At this point Doyle realizes what Jack will do to him so you kinda have to respect the guy.

FYI:

• Sunday at 8 Jack Bauer will be on the 400th episode of The Simpsons.
• Check out this Bauer kill count site:

Does anybody have an AMEX card? It seems you need one for the “Day 6 debrief”. If you could give me the skinny that would be awesome.

Things to Expect Next Week: Chang will get his. Jack Bauer will have prevented WWIII, for the time being. On Monday at 8/7c I will be peeing my pants with excitement.

Things Not to Expect Next Week: Jack will not let his dad off the hook…but will he kill him. Jack Bauer will not, not exceed his day 4 kill count of 44 (6 more kills to tie). Some bad guy, probably Bauer senior, will be left to fight another day.

24: 2-3am

by Matt Putnam

First, a little comment about last week. At the end of the episode James Heller told Jack Bauer, “everything you touch ends up dead.” To James: Think about what you just said and who you said it to - and be afraid. Plus, Jack just saved your daughter; the daughter you thought was dead. And a restraining order on Jack freaking’ Bauer, that may be the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Seriously? The worst part of it is that this guy is the Secretary of Defense and a restraining order was the best he could come up with. No wonder there are so many terrorists on this show.

Dude, I was wrong. Jack spent the whole episode inside CTU. Oops. By the way, the only reason Jack doesn’t just kill his way out of CTU is because he doesn’t really like getting satellite imagery. I mean, when you control the fate of the universe, you don’t want to stop, pull out your laptop, login, nab some pics, and load them to your cell phone. It’s way easier just to call Chloe. (Has anyone noticed Jack Bauer hasn’t been carrying his messenger bag this season?)

The Chinese strike team of little buff guys in tiny black tank tops and fingerless gloves hit me as sort of strange. Usually, the bad guys look tough and mean. These guys looked sorta male model-ish. I thought they were going to breakout into song…like I was watching a musical or something. I prefer my villains with a little more swagger and a little less swish.

Milo capped, but capped like a man. You had to know as soon as he apologized to Nadia he was in for it. As a side note, I’ll bet Milo was actually killed because of his “adult entertainer” mustache. You can’t trust a guy with a mustache like that. Milo RIP.

You know when you’re right, and everyone knows you’re right and you’ve been right for a long time? I love that feeling. I don’t want to say I was right, but…I was totally right. Not just a little right, either – a ton right. You know what I’m talking about, Papa Bauer is back! Not only that, he’s trading Russian military secrets for his grandson and potentially starting WWIII. So, the question for the rest of the season is this: Will Jack Bauer kill his own father?

Things to Expect Next Week: The episode will be a little disappointing because the writers will use it to setup the 2 hour season finale. We will get to witness the ever popular choke move on Lisa. (Why does everyone think they can take Jack’s move). Superman will fly into CTU and say that he needs Jack Bauer’s help saving the world. Jack will tell him to get in line.

Things Not to Expect Next Week: Don’t expect any more creepy Milo come-ons (sniff, sniff). Don’t expect this season to be wrapped up nice and neat. The writers will want to leave a cliff hanger for next season. Don’t expect Jack to show any mercy…not even to his dad.

24: 1 -2am

by Matt Putnam

President Curly Bill is in some hot water with the Russians. How did they find out so quickly that the Chinese had the component? It looks like the President’s blonde “assistant”, Lisa Miller had a little something to do with the leak. So, if you two-time the President does that qualify as treason?

Still more surprising was the heart-to-heart Curly Bill shared with Tom Bishop about his hidden love with Lisa. “I never thought I would love again, sniff, sniff.” He’s pretty sensitive for a guy who was just about to launch a nuke to prove a point. “Oh Tom, I don’t know what to do. Can I cry on your shoulder?” Give me a break.

Jack has to be pissed at Doyle for screwing up his plan with Chang. I suppose, however, that if everyone did what Jack wanted the show would be called 4, instead of 24…4 minutes that is. Lucky for Jack, Chucky (Doyle) knows that Jack was going to have to get even. So, he released Jack and got choked out. What a good sport, I mean, you’ve got to know when you’re beat. I like that in a sidekick.

Some brief updates: Milo is still sexually frustrated, Morris is pissed at Chloe, Bill Buchanan and Chloe are MIA, Audrey is still looking for her marbles, and CTU is still looking for the component.

Be sure to tune in next week because there are only 3 episodes left! Let’s hope we get more bullets flying and fewer lovers crying.

Things to Expect Next Week: Jack Bauer will pull his patented choke move on you if you’re not watching him in HD. Audrey will give Jack some more info and get him ready to kick some butt in the final three hours. Secretary Heller will realize he just threatened Jack Bauer, he will poop himself a little, and then beg for Jack’s forgiveness ...which he won’t get.

Things Not To Expect Next Week: Don’t expect Jack Bauer to rot away in a CTU holding cell the whole episode. Jack will not be angry that the Lakers are out of the playoffs (YES!). Jack will not disagree with Miami’s choice to pass on Brady Quinn.

24: 12-1am

by Matt Putnam

There is something about Doyle that makes me love seeing him get “Jacked”. At the end of last episode when Bauer smelled out the ambush and pulled his weapon on Doyle, it brought me so much joy. Then, this week, Jack left him in the middle no where. I think I like this so much because Doyle is a tough dude. I mean, comparing Doyle to any of us is like comparing Brian Urlacher to Randy Moss (he’s bigger, badder, and scarier). But compared to Jack Bauer, Doyle is like a little baby bunny with no teeth, cancer and a broken leg.

Well, the terror is over and it’s time for the justice department to place some blame. Unfortunately, Bill Buchanan had to be the fall guy and was forced to resign by….his wife. Ouch, that hurts. I wonder if President Palmer will come back and reinstate him. What? It could happen.

As for everything else, the Chinese have the component, Morris wants out, Jack Bauer is under arrest, Audrey has lost her marbles, there’s a spy helping the bad guys, and the Russians know we gave the Chinese the component.- so much for the worst being behind us. Anybody have any guesses on who the spy is?

Things to Expect Next Week: The relationship between Curly Bill (New President) and his assistant will still make your skin crawl. CTU will release Jack Bauer because they need him (d’uh). I think it’s about time for Jack to choke someone, I mean, it’s been a couple weeks and he’s due.

Things Not to Expect Next Week: The government won’t let Jack Bauer do whatever he wants…but they should. Doyle will not apologize to Jack for being a darsh, but he should. Jack’s dad, Philip Bauer will not come back, but he REALLY should (I’ve been predicting this for weeks and I’m starting to loose confidence).

24: 11pm - 12am

by Matt Putnam

So now we know what the Chinese want; the Russian trigger mechanism from the suitcase nukes. It seems an internal code will give them access to the entire library of Russian defense technology. Is it worth trading it to the Chinese to get Audrey back? You betcha.

For those of you thought that Jack Bauer was crying when he was talking with the President, think again. METHOD ACTING. That’s right, he was method acting. If Jack were truly crying, only bullets and acid would come out of his tear ducts. And he doesn’t “cry” when he’s sad, only when he’s angry and he needs a weapon. I saw Jack unleash his tear ducts on this guy in a 7-eleven parking lot one time….not pretty.

Cheng Zhi is a marked man. The man who is responsible for Jack’s two long years of torture in the Chinese prison is finally back between the crosshairs. Now, you see, I was right. The Chinese aren’t using Audrey to get to Jack. Jack is using Audrey to keep those Chinese thugs close. Jack doesn’t have time for that long flight to China. He likes his revenge all wrapped up in a nice neat 24 hour period. Ah, the genius that is Jack Bauer.

Since President Palmer came down with sudden brain explosion syndrome it looks like Curly Bill is back at the helm. Get ready for creepy, violent President Daniels to not give a rip about Jack Bauer and his plans to save Audrey. That means it is, once again, Jack vs. the world. Just the way he likes it…

Things to Expect Next Week: More uncomfortable moments with Chloe…great. More sentences from me that will include “…”. More of Doyle getting owned by Jack Bauer.

Things Not to Expect Next Week: Jack Bauer will not participate in casual Friday. Jack Bauer will not refer to his messenger bag as a “man purse”. Jack Bauer will not make a quick stop at In-N-Out Burger before he saves Audrey…but he should.

24: 10-11pm

by Matt Putnam

What an episode! Oh man, this was a good one. And FINALLY my questions have been answered. Audrey is back in the picture. It appears the Chinese have captured her and are going to try to use her to get to Jack Bauer. We all know this is a really bad idea, but with Fayed dead what else are they going to do.

So, what will Jack be willing to do to get Audrey back? Give away secrets? Turn himself in? Betray the country? No way. Most people are probably thinking that the Chinese are using Audrey to manipulate Jack. I think Jack is using Audrey to manipulate the Chinese. Think about it, he just didn’t have time to kill them while he was “being held” in a Chinese prison (FYI- No prison can hold Jack Bauer. He was probably just gathering intel.). With Audrey’s help, now Jack can get even.

How sweet was it to see Fayed get his? We all knew it was coming, but with eight hours left I must admit I was totally surprised. For a blink of an eye I thought I had miscounted and that this season was over. Thankfully, there’s plenty more Bauer to go.

President Palmer V2.0 is kicking some butt and is most likely on a collision course with disaster. We may see Curly Bill as acting President before we know it. With Fayed gone, what’s left for the Vice President to blow up?
(As a side note, how many abandoned office buildings and industrial sites are there in LA? It seems like there’s a new one every episode.)

Things to Expect Next Week: Doyle will go head-to-head with Jack and lose… badly. Jack Bauer’s dad will come back and help free Audrey and go down in flames. Jack and Audrey will have an invincible and ridiculously skinny love child.

Things Not to Expect Next Week: Jack Bauer will not use Chapstick. Jack Bauer will not listen to Enya. Jack Bauer will not got to a soiree at David Geffen’s house.

24: 9-10pm

by Matt Putnam

First and foremost, I have to admit Vice President Daniels (Curly Bill) is really getting on my nerves. He’s convinced me to take a much harder look at the Vice President when I vote. All creepy low voices are out. And how about that moment he shared with Lisa? If there’s something going on there, I really don’t want to know about it. That child would be born with hooves.

Wayne Palmer is back in action, or is it back inaction? Does being a strong President mean you have to blow someone up every time you’re attacked…even if you’re not blowing up the people who attacked you? I’m not so sure. Palmer is not doing so hot, but those shots of adrenaline are keeping him going. I might be able to use some of that on Monday mornings…

Chucky (Doyle) was able to get Nadia to work against Milo, but once he got the info he destroyed it. I’m still not sure what this guy is up to. He is a pretty big investment for a single season guy, so we know he’s coming back next year. I’ll bet he turns out to be a “good guy” for the time being. Jack will still end up killing him, though.

Can you believe that Gradenko had them cut his arm off to lose that tracker? Now that’s cajones. The only other guy I think that would do this is Jack Bauer.

It was a huge surprise to see that President Palmer launched the freaking nuke! Not to worry, he’s just going to use it to pressure the ambassador. There’s no way he will let it touch the ground. Still, it was totally unexpected.

Things to Expect Next Week: Jack Bauer will break fingers at Fox because he didn’t get enough screen time last episode. Jack Bauer will decide that using a gun is too easy and will start killing terrorists with his bare hands. Jack Bauer will take Gradenko’s arm, find him under the bridge, and beat him to death with it.

Things Not to Expect Next Week: Jack Bauer will not take a personal day. Jack Bauer will not be all that hurt by getting shot (d’uh). Jack Bauer will not be surprised when he finds out Audrey is still alive. (Yes, of course she is still alive.)

24: 8-9pm

by Matt Putnam

Ah, my weekly fix of 24. This was an intense episode so if you missed it you’ll want to check out the synopsis on the official 24 Web site.

Chucky (Doyle) found out that Nadia was innocent and his buddy offered to help him cover it up. I’m starting to wonder what happened in Denver. We know, from what Nadia said, that Chucky likes violence. And his buddy Johnson is bad news. Not to worry, we all know how this will end. It always ends with Jack Bauer.

Oh, Curly Bill (the Vice Pres.), he’s so upset. He really doesn’t want Palmer awake, does he? Curly has an agenda and he’s willing to do what it takes to drive it through even if it means nuking another country. Does he really think that launching the nukes will stop terrorism? I’m not too sure he’s thought that out, but I am sure that if given the chance, he’ll launch the nukes in a heartbeat.

Who saw Milo pull that 1950s movie move and do that aggressive grab and kiss thing? There’s no way that really works. Or, maybe it worked in the 50s. Guys? Anybody?
Score three for the good guys. First we foiled the drone nuke attack, now we have Gradenko, and President Palmer is awake and kicking butt. Things are starting to look up. So, get ready for them to go back down. Way down.

Things to Expect Next Week: CTU will trust Gradenko, will give him a pardon, and then get double-crossed. Milo will try that grab and kiss maneuver again and get slapped.
Vice President Daniels (Curly Bill) will grow horns and a pointed tail.

Things Not to Expect Next Week: Jack Bauer will not tell cute stories about his cat “Snuggles”. Jack Bauer will not knit a sweater. Jack Bauer will not skip through CTU whistling “Zip-a-dee-do-da

24: 7-8pm

by Matt Putnam

This week Curly Bill (Vice President Daniels) put the wheels in motion to launch a nuclear strike. I don’t think it’s going to happen, but Curly really wants it to happen. He’s being pretty irrational about the whole thing. It’s like he’s planning on launching them no matter what and now he just trying to find a decent reason to do so.

Back at CTU, it didn’t take long for Doyle to start throwing his weight around. I have to admit, I loved seeing him backtalk Milo. Milo can be pretty whiny sometimes. BUT, did you see Doyle try to steal Jack’s choke move? That’s Jack’s move, buddy. You just can’t pull it off. I like the butt kicking, don’t get me wrong, but Doyle’s no Jack Bauer. Heck, Jack Bauer is almost no Jack Bauer…unless, of course, he’s Jack Bauer.

Another amazing thing happened in this episode which I never thought I’d see: Jack Bauer in a white tube-top. Sure, it was tape supporting his broken rib fragments, but it looked like a tube-top. He is the only man who could be intimidating wearing that.

So who thinks Nadia is a mole? No way. It’s just a little too obvious. But, wasn’t she just using Milo’s login?

Lastly, Audrey’s not dead. I know what the papers said, but don’t worry. She is still around. Either she was captured by the Chinese, or they actually traded her for Jack. How pissed would Jack be if he found that out?

Things to Expect Next Week: Jack Bauer will tell Chloe she has issues. Jack Bauer will flex his bicep and make Doyle pee his pants. Jack Bauer will win the CTU office pool for exactly predicting the results of the NCAA B-ball tourney.

Things Not to Expect Next Week: We will not see Jack Bauer in that white tube-top again. Jack Bauer will not get on match.com to find his true soul mate. Jack Bauer will not sing Kum Ba Yah.