Deaths on 24 have, with the odd exception, always been known to have a large emotional build-up throughout the course of the unfortunate casualty’s swansong episode. Live Another Day proved no different this week. 24-old-timers, cast your mind back to season 3, 6am-7am. That’s where I drew parallels to throughout this episode. That was, of course, the episode in which Ryan Chappelle met his death. Monday night’s outing was so similar to that. The secrecy from all those around the victim, Jack flying them in a helicopter across the city, the desperate attempts to try and stop the terrorist falling short. And, of course, the big climax of the character’s death. While mirroring previous episodes can go spectacularly wrong, this didn’t.
The main focus of the week was Heller. I’ve had mixed feelings on him throughout – a combination of feeling sorry for him, liking him and disliking him – but he was portrayed brilliantly this week, and William Devane played it fantastically well. Seeing Heller so readily give in, and to be fine with it, was devastating to watch. His final scene with Audrey was virtually heart-breaking.
It was really great to see something of note for Kim Raver’s Audrey to do. She’s been much underused this year, and her scenes with Heller and with Mark were incredible. 24 do emotional scenes so well, and Raver’s two scenes in this episode proved just that. Her scene with Mark mirrored that of her outburst at Jack back in season 4, when he was responsible for Paul dying.
These kinds of emotional episodes are my favourites from the show, and this was no different. A character’s death should have an emotional build-up; only when it’s for pure shock factor should there be little emotional build-up. Heller had a fantastic send-off, and I can’t wait to see where Jack, Mark and Audrey go next.
Elsewhere in the episode, Jack refrained from using his trademark catchphrase, but did deliver a nice “Wake the bitch up”. He’s certainly become a lot more aggressive in the four years that he’s been off the grid. Kate went to the next level and pulled a full Jack Bauer by holding the doctor at gunpoint (seriously, this episode had so many connections to two past episodes – Season 3, 6am-7am and Season 4, 2am-3am). Her transformation into becoming the new Jack is pretty much complete.
Navarro continued to be the dirty This was the best episode of the season so far, and I’d rank it within the top 10 of the 200 episodes that the show has done.
Decrypting the CTU files:
- No silent clock for Heller?
- Jack was given a Presidential Pardon. Which is great and all, but the Russians still want his head. And Mark agreed to turn him over. I can't wait to see where that goes.
- Chloe working on her laptop in a pub. I’m reminded of Season 5’s 2am-3am. All we need now is for her to Taser a guy.
- It’s a good job that the World Cup is going on, and no one is going to be using Wembley for a while.
- Margot at least spared her son the crime of actually killing a US President. Though, for a second, it seemed like she wasn’t going to do it.
big twist next week and still love kate's badassness
ReplyDeleteI agree that this is one the best episode ever on 24
ReplyDeleteI hope this episode is submitted for a golden globe.........for best actor/Best tv show
ReplyDeleteI see people wanting to believe Heller survived. Given what was revealed to the audience during the course of the last few minutes, I have no reason to believe that's possible. You see him walking out on to the field. You see him on camera from the drone's perspective. You see the missile slam into the dirt and the subsequent explosion. You see that Chloe is both running out of time and can't get Adrian to leave her alone.
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However, I've seen rumors that suggest it was a ruse. Heller is seen in next week's Latin American promo.
Nice review. This was a good episode. Thanks for your insight.
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