Episode Report Card Sobell: A- | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Safe and Sound
By Sobell | Season 4 | Episode 5 | Aired on 09.22.2008
Caper time! We cut to Oren talking to General Von Baldy, and then Michael pondering the possibility of turning down the drill to its lowest setting. The guys go ahead as the Conspiracy honchos continue talking. Oren says, "I successfully negotiated policies with the IMF and the World Bank. I am pretty sure I can handle Laos." Von Baldy drawls that he's aware of Griffen's resume. He's also aware of the cacophony of whirring engines around him. In the other office, Michael's managed to get into the safe and he pulls out the card. As Roland begins copying, Dr. Sara listens to someone on Fox News talking about how the runaway inflation in Laos has led to food riots and 200 people dead thus far. She stops watching just before the anchor can blame this dire situation on the Democratic presidential campaign. Michael also takes pictures of several things -- they look like electronics (a handheld, a stylus, the data card, Charybdis).
We go back to General Von Baldy saying slowly that "this is an important day for us. I need to make sure that everyone knows his role." Oren asks irritably why General Von Baldy had to berate him in person. Because General Von Baldy's just that kind of hands-on evil stooge. Actually, he admits, "Things have happened in the past few days that have made me somewhat uneasy. Today we got confirmation that one of our targets is in Los Angeles." We cut to Michael, eyes widening as he realizes the One World Conspiracy knows their general whereabouts. That, plus Lisa Tabak's stooge being killed, has made General Von Baldy nervous. We viewers have a nervous moment where it looks like Charybdis has picked this moment to be a picky eater and the data uplink slows. Then the anxiety gets ratcheted up as General Von Baldy asks Griffen Oren to produce his data card immediately.
Michael's eyes go half-dollar-sized in panic as he hears this, and on the other end of the line, Roland says they're only 72% of the way done with the copying. Aighhh! The tension! It's winched up even more as General Von Baldy insists on seeing the card, and Oren begins to slowly open his safe, and Roland confirms that they're only at 86%, and Michael's hastily putting things back -- "Ninety-two percent," Roland says -- and Oren turns to General Von Baldy reproachfully to say, "Fifteen years of working together, you think you'd trust me." General Von Baldy replies, "Don't turn this into an opera. Just hand me the card." Roland says, "Ninety-six percent," and Oren's hand is reaching into the safe ...