Episode Report Card M. Giant: B- | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Diplomessy
By M. Giant | Season 4 | Episode 21 | Aired on 05.08.2005
Buchanan comes up with the news about the call from Consulate Cop at 3:22:07, saying that the Chinese are claiming to have evidence that CTU was behind the kidnapping. "They don't have any evidence," says Kiefer. "They're bluffing." And besides, they don't have time to deal with it now anyway. Buchanan says they don't have much choice, and asks for Kiefer's help with the situation. I don't think this scene was supposed to happen yet, since last we saw, the Consulate Cop was getting blown off. Kiefer says he'll help Buchanan right after he checks on Lee. Sparing another glance across the room at DoDder, he heads back to the clinic.
Outside the Undal Office, PMHC shows Palmer the list of anti-Chinese groups that CTU just faxed over. As a bonus, one of the groups has even referred to Lee in its speeches. They're all excited about how now they can blame their actions on some poor, innocent extremist group. PMHC is on his way to start leaking it to the media when the Veep storms in, loaded for bear. "David, what have you done?" he demands. He just found out about the raid on the Consulate from the Secretary of State. "That's right, I sanctioned it," Palmer says mildly. Now, why didn't Palmer want the Veep knowing about this? So he could find out from someone else? The Veep is pissed about Palmer authorizing a military engagement. Palmer basically says that everyone does it. Remember when everyone thought he was too honest and upstanding to make it as a politician? Guess he got over that. The Veep yells at him, "We marched onto Chinese soil, kidnapped one of their nationals, and in the process the Chinese Consul was killed." Killed is such an ugly word. "We were unlucky, sir," PMHC tries. The Veep laughs mirthlessly, saying that what they did is a good way to start a war. "How am I supposed to fight terrorists while I'm provoking a nuclear superpower?" Veep, you're not supposed to be fighting terrorists. You're supposed to be in Conference Room B, working on your statement to the media. Palmer is supposed to be fighting terrorists. Palmer tells the Veep to calm down: "This is a dirty business, and we're gonna have to get our hands dirty to clean it up." I always want to run away when Palmer says things like that, because it generally means he's going to screw things up even worse. He adds, "You brought me here to help you. Now let me do it." And really, it could have been worse. It's not like Palmer bombed the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade or something. It's 3:24:27.
3:28:54. Lee still isn't dead yet; Palmer is doing what he does best (sitting and staring pensively); the missile continues to vent steam into the Iowa night; and Bitchelle is on the phone without her earpiece. Freaky. Buchanan and Soul Patch have apparently made up, because they're having a cordial if businesslike conversation on the way up to the former DrisCube (now the BitchelleHole). Soul Patch says Lee should be ready to talk soon. Buchanan says he wants everyone ready to instantly work up whatever Lee reveals.