Episode Report Card M. Giant: A- | 221 USERS: A- YOU GRADE IT Class Reunion, Without the Class
By M. Giant | Season 7 | Episode 2 | Aired on 2009.01.11
At the White House, Ethan is walking Taylor's Press Secretary to the Briefing Room with one clear instruction: Don't indicate when the go-ahead to invade Sangala will be given, no matter how hard the reporters push. She is, however, allowed to mention that Taylor is meeting with Sangala's ex-prime minister, Matobo, and even highlight Taylor's support for him as General Juma's successor after the U.S. invasion. The Press Secretary takes the podium and gives the statement. Reporters are just starting to ask questions when Ethan's cell rings. "JFK?" he asks the caller in surprise. "How long ago did this happen?" Uh, 45 years ago? Oh, no, that's something else. He abandons the Press Secretary to the gaggle. Which is too bad, because I was hoping to see the moment when she indicates when the go-ahead to invade Sangala will be given.
At 9:21:12, Taylor is meeting with Matobo not in the product-placed TelePresence suite, but in person in the Oval Office, with representatives from both countries present. You can tell because it's all white people on one side and all black people on the other. Matobo thanks Taylor for stepping in, which she smoothly deflects, then voices her insistence that General Juma be handled by the courts after he's been properly de-couped. Matobo is clearly not down with this idea, having had two of his own brothers killed by Juma. "My countrymen will want to see Juma punished," he insists. Taylor tells him to do it "according to the rule of law. That's the only way democracy will work in Sangala." Matobo clearly doesn't appreciate being lectured on how to make his country work, but he stands, buttons his suit jacket, and unconvincingly says, "You have my word." I suspect that word will turn out to be "Psych!" They shake on it. But before they can get into the logistics, she's called out to the hallway, where Ethan is waiting.
He tells her about the near-collision at JFK airport, and that Tony Almeida's involvement was confirmed by voiceprint. Like the ATC supervisor, Taylor also wants to know what Tony wants. "His exact words were, 'you'll find out soon enough,'" Ethan replies dramatically. Taylor isn't thrilled. "This is unacceptable. I mean, it's just technology. We should be able to unplug these bastards." Yes, why not just shut down the power grid within a ten-minute radius from where Latham was snatched? Or failing that, trigger a citywide EMP? We already know from Season Four that the effects of the latter are minor and short-lived. Ethan says they're doing everything they can. Taylor finally gives the order to ground nonessential air traffic before Tony can do it for her, and in a much noisier fashion. But she's just getting started: she also wants to get together with Homeland and DoD. Look out, bad guys -- the prez is having a meeting.