Episode Report Card M. Giant: B- | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT I Got Your Gas Right Here
By M. Giant | Season 5 | Episode 7 | Aired on 02.05.2006
The Logans have reached the west hallway, and from the shocked and apprehensive looks on their faces, the only question is this: Tie or belt? When the camera comes around the corner, bringing into the view the body of Walt suspended by the neck from a light fixture, the people who put their money on "belt" are the big winners. "Cut him down," Novick tells the Secret Service guys, like, thanks for preserving the scene in its full horror until the boss and his wife showed up. We'll be sure to include that in your annual review. It's 1:48:16.
Commercials. Buy a Nissan Xterra, which is your only mode of transportation to all sorts of ways to nearly kill yourself.
We're back at 1:52:42, and McGill is just now arriving in a disreputable-looking parking lot. You can tell because it has high walls and dumpsters. He looks at his watch, like, nice nod to the fact that you're nearly a half hour late. His sister pops into view and asks, "You got the money?" McGill says he's not giving her any money; instead, he's brought the name of a doctor. McSibling is disappointed nearly to the point of panic, and soon we see why, as a guy jumps out of nowhere behind McGill and beats the crap out of him. McGill's down in less time than it takes for his sister to say, "Oh my God, don't hurt him" (as if anyone's listening). The grungy leather-jacketed thug rifles through McGill's pockets and takes his wallet, including his cash and what might be his CTU access card. Which I'm sure he'll drop in the mail at his very first opportunity. McSibling apologizes to McGill, and then she and her charming boyfriend leave him lying on the ground next to the Dumpsters. Bleeding, McGill hauls himself to his feet to the sound of a motorcycle revving in the background. He's clearly not looking on the bright side, which is that when McSibling and her boyfriend get married, he's going to have a great story for his Best Man toast.
It's 1:54:05 at the Cradle of Love as Curtis tells Kiefer that Rossler's been given a painkiller and that CTU's ready to track him by air and land when he leaves to meet Erwich. "No one's going anywhere unless Erwich makes that call," Kiefer reminds us. He goes off to make a "private" phone call to Audrey, who says she hasn't reached Kim yet, although she did leave a message. Kiefer asks her to try again, and she agrees, like she doesn't have anything better to do in the middle of a terror threat. But then, she doesn't actually work there. Besides, if they don't get a hold of Kim soon, it's going to be too late to swap her for Inessa.
Speaking of whom, Kiefer's now got to do something he really doesn't want to do. He stands there looking pained for a moment, and then when he turns to find the girl, she's standing directly behind him. Kiefer manages not to startle right into the wall. The poor naïve thing is asking Kiefer when she can contact her family. "I have to explain something to you first," Kiefer euphemizes. He invites her to sit, and then literally gets down on his knees in front of her. "For now," he says as though it's causing him physical pain, "we need you to go with Mr. Rossler." He assures her that agents like him will be following them, and will rescue her as soon as they have what they need. I don't remember Kiefer getting authorization for that, but I have no doubt he plans to do exactly what he's saying. Which, actually, good for him. "I promise you," he says, "I won't let him be alone with you," but Inessa's not buying it. They get to their feet, and it's clear that Kiefer isn't letting her go. "I'm sorry, I can't," he whispers. "Then you are no different than Rossler," she says quietly. Wounded, Kiefer disagrees with that assessment, again promises that nothing will happen to her, and asks her to get dressed. He closes the door to the bedroom with her inside. Alone. This will soon prove to be a bad idea.