Episode Report Card M. Giant: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT McKilled
By M. Giant | Season 5 | Episode 13 | Aired on 03.12.2006
Just as we guessed last week, the entire CTU clinic was sealed off in time, and not just the area where Burke took Henderson. I say that not merely because Tony's getting out of bed again, as if that would mean anything. But Dr. Besson seems to be fine also. Although he's predictably effective at keeping Tony in bed, which is to say, not at all. Kiefer would have done a much better job, I bet. Tony reaches one of the glass walls that look out into the hallway, where a conveniently-placed corpse drives home the reality of the situation. What, didn't he hear all the squeaking?
Back in the Situation Room, Audrey and a nameless extra have managed to pull up a building grid on Chloe's laptop even without her help. Kiefer calls Buchanan, who tells him to check whether anyone's "logged in." Kiefer says two zones have, and Buchanan tells Kiefer to try calling them on the phone. Oh, sure, try the easiest thing last.
In the clinic, Dr. Besson answers the speakerphone. Kiefer explains to him about the Sentox in the ventilation system, and why they needed to seal off the rooms. He also asks if Burke and Henderson made it to Medical, and Besson confirms it. "Henderson's here right now?" Tony says loudly. Oops. Kiefer's surprised to hear Tony's voice, but he's even more surprised when the doctor suddenly drops out of the conversation. That's because Tony has sneaked up behind Besson, clapped a hand over his mouth, and put him in a sleeper hold that has the poor guy out in a matter of seconds. Kiefer asks Audrey and her sidekick to figure out how to get a video feed from Medical, but it's going to take a minute because they're not Chloe. On the other hand, even Chloe's not Chloe right now, so what are you gonna do?
Burke The New Torture Guy is standing over Henderson and taking his pulse. He's so absorbed in the task that Tony is able to sneak in behind him and steal Burke's weapon right out of its holster. "Move aside," he orders Burke at gunpoint. So Burke's quite capable with old guys who are strapped down, but completely overmatched by someone who got blown up twelve hours ago. Good to know.
This is the tableau that appears on the Situation Room's video screen. Kiefer wants an audio connection, but all they can do at first is set up a one-way link; in other words, Kiefer can hear Tony, but Tony can't hear Kiefer. Kiefer hears Burke telling Tony that he can't kill Henderson because they need the information he has. Tony doesn't care, and finally convinces Burke to move aside rather than get shot. So Burke's a wuss, too. Interesting. Tony addresses Henderson, who's just blinking at him, barely conscious: "Hello. My name is Tony Almeida. You killed my wife. Prepare to die." Or words to that effect. Finally the extra in the Situation Room achieves a two-way audio link, and Kiefer's voice comes through to Tony. "Stay out of this, Jack!" Tony yells, the gun still leveled at Henderson's expressionless face. Kiefer tries to talk Tony down. "I know how you feel right now," he says, as he and Spawn exchange a glance. Spawn doesn't look too thrilled at Kiefer's use of Teri's death to try to gain control over the situation. Kiefer basically begs Tony to let them finish the interrogation, the implication being that Tony can do whatever he wants after that. Is Buchanan hearing this conversation? Because I would think he might have a thing or two to add. Still sighting down the barrel of Burke's gun, Tony grunts, "Hurry up." Well, that's going to make Henderson more anxious to talk than ever, don't you think? Kiefer gives Burke the green light to go back to work on Henderson at 7:09:46, and Tony gets out of the way. Burke injects a fresh syringe full of distilled pain into Henderson, who rouses himself enough to look anguished, although he's still not talking. Kiefer asks Burke if they can increase the dose. "Not without killing him," Burke says. Surprisingly, Tony doesn't offer to prep the next needle.