Episode Report Card Gustave: A- | 238 USERS: B- YOU GRADE IT Blondes and Bombshells
By Gustave | Season 2 | Episode 1 | Aired on 2002.10.29
The Palmer convoy -- escorted by a military chopper, even -- approaches the Northwest Regional Operations compound, which I'm guessing is one of those emergency government places. Palmer exits the Ford Explorer wearing an apricot button-down shirt, which is about as "presidential" as a pair of fuchsia leg warmers. As he enters the main building, he throws on a beige hunting jacket and descends a long flight of stairs along with his staff until he reaches another door guarded by military personnel. I suppose the art director thought that the slate finish on the walls would make the NSA set look Spartan and rustic, but instead it just looks like Palmer is meeting Henry Kissinger and Bob Evans for a drink in the basement bar of an Ian Schrager hotel. Eric Rayburn of the NSA introduces himself. Oh, this man is going to be trouble. I can just feel it. He and Palmer get into an elevator together, along with some Secret Service agents, and take it down to an even lower level. KreepyEric informs Palmer of a "domestic terrorist alert." He insists that it's serious.
They get off the elevator and enter a huge conference room with sepia-tinted walls, ergonomically correct chairs, sleek space-age tables, multimedia wall projections, and recessed lighting fixtures. Loads of people -- representatives from all of the branches of the military, the FBI, and the CIA -- are buzzing around. An older male extra runs up to Palmer and tells him that PoorMan'sHumeCronyn is shooting a pilot…I mean, "on a plane." Palmer takes a seat at the head of the table next to Lynne, a camera-friendly member of his staff whom the boards call Ensign Ro. Eric Rayburn tells the assembled G-people that a terrorist group called the Second Wave planted a nuclear device on U.S. soil. It's set to go off this season…I mean, "today." Everyone gasps. A really slick slideshow starts, which tells the story of how this suicide bomber named Mamud Rashed Faheen blew up a building in the West Bank of Israel, killing lots of people. However, two days ago it was discovered that Faheen was still alive, and the suicide bombing was enacted to create the impression that Faheen was dead. They tortured one of his friends and found out about the bomb. Palmer asks what country is affiliated with the Second Wave. Eric replies that there is no official affiliation. Palmer asks about any unofficial affiliation. Eric hands Palmer a manila folder with the name of the country inside. You know -- that way, we the viewers don't know which country they're talking about. "Get me their prime minister," says Palmer, handing the folder to Lynne.