Episode Report Card M. Giant: B- | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Shanghaied!
By M. Giant | Season 5 | Episode 24 | Aired on 05.21.2006
Kiefer gets up from the desk at 4:21:16 and moves his chair to sit right across from Logan. And he changes the subject to the threat on his life a year and a half ago, "by someone within the government." He adds that "he was told" that the only way to stay alive was to play dead, even though Kiefer totally came up with that on his own. But the upshot is that he had to deceive people. "My only daughter will never forgive me." Logan is starting to think that he might be in a bit of trouble here. "As I see the depth of your corruption unfold," Kiefer metaphor-mixes, he now realizes that Logan was behind the original threat to his life. And now that Palmer and all of Kiefer's other friends are dead, "I have absolutely nothing to lose." He says Logan can't hide behind the presidency any more: "Right here, right now, you are going to face justice!" Unlike in the promo, the camera's focused on Logan's face as Kiefer says this, which is good because a bulging-eyed, trembly-jowled Kiefer isn't exactly a heroic image. Getting a little personal, though, aren't we, Kiefer? "Make no mistake about this," Kiefer says. "This is personal." Ah, I thought so. Kiefer says if Logan thinks he's scared to shoot him in the brain, then he doesn't know Jack. Yes, I said it. This is my 55th recap of this show, so don't you judge me. Kiefer says he's going to ask one last time who Logan's co-conspirators are. Logan just shakes his head, and Kiefer gives him until the count of three before he kills him. "One," he says, leveling his weapon at Logan's face. Logan plays the history card, saying Kiefer will make him a Lincoln or a Kennedy, while making himself a Booth/Oswald. "Is that what you want?" Logan, catch up. Nobody cares about their place in history as much as you do. "Two!" Kiefer yells, abruptly standing up without letting his aim waver. Logan tries a different tack, saying that Kiefer's a man of honor, and he won't pull the trigger if he loves his country. "Three!" Kiefer bellows, bringing the muzzle inches from Logan's nose. Logan just squinches his face shut and waits for it.
And Kiefer realizes that if you're always giving people until the count of three, the law of averages is going to come after you and you're actually going to have to see for yourself what comes after that. "Three and a half!" he doesn't holler. He steels himself to pull the trigger, but even he doesn't have that much steel. After a few more seconds, Logan dares to open his eyes, and he realizes he's got the upper hand again. His look turns crafty, and he observes that Kiefer can't do it. Kiefer jerks the gun closer, but Logan gets all fatherly as he says that it's okay. "It's all right that you can't," he says, going for "reassuring" and landing on "smug." "I'm the President." Which is the exact thing to say that would make Kiefer most likely to shoot him, but Kiefer just flinches. Logan has one more thing to add, and he says it gently and quietly, almost sympathetically: "Jack...Jack, they're here." And indeed, any number of SWAT team members and plainclothes Secret Service agents are swarming into the building, and every one of them's got a weapon locked, cocked, and aimed at Kiefer. Realizing his time is up, Kiefer lowers his weapon. Even Logan looks moved by the utter, soul-crushing defeat in Kiefer's face. Kiefer puts his gun down on the desk, then gets down on his knees and puts his hands behind his head. Logan is freed from his handcuffs, and as Kiefer is taken away, Logan starts collecting his things from the desk. Dude, whatever you do, do not forget your pen. "I actually feel sorry for that man," he tells the agent in charge, and one almost believes him. He suggests that Kiefer be put in solitary confinement, and Kiefer is dragged away. Great season! Good night, everybody! Oh, wait, it's only 6:24:54. Are you wondering if we really just saw Kiefer's whole plan?