Episode Report Card M. Giant: B+ | 310 USERS: A- YOU GRADE IT Undercover Brothers
By M. Giant | Season 7 | Episode 4 | Aired on 2009.01.12
At 11:30:46, Sean is on his cell phone at FBI-DC, requesting a priority landing for his wife's flight. "I'm forwarding an urgent protocol from the White House," Sean insists. Which is bad enough, but then he gives his name as Larry Moss, and gives the operator Moss's access code. Yikes. I like my wife and all, but I'm not sure I'd commit a felony to shorten her flight time. But the operator promises to have the flight on the ground shortly. At least Sean remembers to say thank you. Those manners will serve him well in jail.
In the Oval Office, we're hearing Colonel Dubaku's audio message threat for the second time in as many hours, but this time, ex-Prime Minister Matobo is in the room to hear it as well. "You are recalling the invasion force?" he asks Taylor sadly. Taylor says that hasn't been determined yet. "What of Sangala?" Matobo wonders. Taylor says she knows all about it, and the ex-PM brings up a place called Kasanga province. This is the first Taylor's heard of it, so Ethan clues her in to the fact that Juma's moving in on a refugee camp filled with 2,000 women and children. Because he doesn't have anything else to worry about with an American invasion force hanging over his head. Matobo adds, "There is also the matter of those soldiers who, on the promise of American support, deserted the regime and joined my freedom fighters on the ground." Yes, because we've always considered that an important factor in the past. Taylor asks Matobo for a little more patience and ends the meeting, promising to do everything she can. "I count on you," he says as he shakes hands with her and Ethan, then leaves with his entourage at 11:33:16. No sooner is he gone than Taylor asks Ethan why he didn't mention the Kasanga thing. "You have enough to think about without being burdened with details," Ethan glosses. "Especially details that might push me toward proceeding with the invasion!" she says hotly. Ethan insists that their time's up, and they need to back down. "Kennedy survived the Bay of Pigs and you'll survive this," Ethan says. Okay, she's cool and all, but she's no Jack Kennedy. And that's a particularly bold statement in the 24-verse, where sitting and former presidents frequently find it difficult to survive, period. Ethan lectures, "A superpower has to act first and foremost in its own best interests. Always. No apologies." She asks if a superpower also allows a third party to dictate its foreign policy. "Yes," Ethan says without hesitation. "If there's no other option. And right now, there's not." She's still not ready to give up, and orders him to check with the FBI on the search for their fugitives. Ethan sighs at her stubbornness, but if he's planning to have her removed from office or blown up, he's keeping it well hidden from us.