Episode Report Card M. Giant: B+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT No Russia to Judgment
By M. Giant | Season 8 | Episode 18 | Aired on 04.19.2010
Just then there's a knock at the door, and Taylor's assistant comes in to tell her Kiefer's calling from CTU about Dana's immunity agreement. A bit slow, Logan. "I'll have to call him back," Taylor says, which is not a good sign. Ethan tells her there's no choice, but Taylor says there is. "And unfortunately, only I can make it." In other words, go have another heart attack. She announces that she's going to CTU, "to see Jack Bauer." It's 9:39:14, and I guess we're about to see a confrontation so dramatic, it can only happen in person.
9:43:32. At CTU, Chloe has to tell Kiefer that Taylor hasn't called back yet. Of course, neither of them knows that one of the act-in splitscreens showed her already in the car on her way. Chloe again tries to get Kiefer to leave it to CTU, but Kiefer insists, "I need to see this through." Unlike Cole, who has apparently taken a bathroom break while waiting around to watch his hero slap up his ex-fiancée some more. Arlo bursts in to say Taylor's calling back, but when Kiefer reaches for it, he adds, "She asked for Chloe." Kiefer hands the phone to her. With motorcade sirens in the background, Taylor tells Chloe that she's on her way there right now to talk to Kiefer. "Make sure he doesn't leave." Chloe acknowledges this, and tells Arlo to notify security that the POTUS will be there in minutes. "She's coming here?" Arlo asks in surprise. Chloe snarks old-school that she already said that, and Arlo leaves the room to distribute the appropriate heads-ups. "Why's she doing this?" Kiefer wonders. "Why didn't she just talk to me on the phone?" Chloe doesn't know, and suggests he meet her in what she's still calling Hastings' office. With another look at Dana on the monitor, he grumps, "Fine," and heads off. Although you know if he could figure out how to open that door himself, he'd stick his fist in there to pop her another one just for good measure.
Chloe, meanwhile, heads down the hall to the main entrance, where a whole damn Presidential motorcade pulls up into the security tunnel. Taylor steps out, and Chloe shakes her hand, saying, "Madam President, welcome to CTU. I'm Chloe O'Brian." Let's give Chloe a hand for being able to introduce herself to the president without saying something socially inept. Taylor thanks her and asks to see Kiefer. Chloe escorts her into the building, giving us a rare chance to see the two women side by side (who knew they were the same height?). When they reach the main floor, Taylor pauses to make a little speech to everyone, thanking them for the work they've done. "The peace process is still alive, and I'm counting on your hard work and your vigilance to keep it that way." So it sounds like she's made up her mind. "I know you won't let me down." The troops are as stingy with their applause as always. She looks up towards Hastings' office and sees Kiefer looking darkly down at her. Chloe escorts her to the stairs, and she says she'll go up alone. Chloe doesn't argue. Even though that could have been funny.