Episode Report Card Gustave: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT When the chips are down...
By Gustave | Season 2 | Episode 21 | Aired on 04.28.2003
The stress of today's events has overwhelmed Palmer, PMJL concludes. He cites Palmer's failure to bomb Fauxraqistan, Akalakistan, and Tofurkey, despite evidence of their complicity in the B-O-M-B. Palmer says that he believes -- like Kiefer -- that the evidence was forged, and promises that soon they'll have proof. PoorMan'sAlexanderHaig repeats the bullshit mantra of the evening: that there will be tens of thousands of U.S. casualties if they don't bomb now. Palmer argues that they need to be absolutely sure before they bomb innocent countries, regardless. "This meeting is over," says Palmer, getting up to leave. PoorMan'sAlexanderHaig tells him that the vote will go on whether or not he's there, so he might as well stay and "be heard." Prescott vows to show a pattern of disability.
"I know you're not in the same room with me, but you can see and hear me plainly enough," says Palmer, all "Emmy clip"-style. "Do I seem scared? Am I breaking into a nervous sweat? Am I babbling? Is my voice shaking?" challenges Palmer. "Can any of you look me in and eye and tell me I'm disabled?" Cabinet is impassive. "This is about your behavior over the last twenty hours," says PoorMan'sAlexanderHaig. Pippin, the voice of reason, asks Palmer to stay and answer the questions to everyone's satisfaction. In the interest of putting this all behind them, Palmer agrees to stay and have a "discussion." But on one condition: when it's over, PMAH will tender his resignation immediately if Palmer is innocent. Well, duh! Hello? Machiavelli? "If you fail to kill the king, you must get the hell out of the kingdom"? Pippin asks that everyone "compose themselves" before they begin the "proceeding." "You mean the trial of David Palmer!" corrects Palmer. Meanwhile, to the left of him, PMHC sits and stares at the table like a total loser. The time is 04:11:11 AM.
The time is 04:15:37 AM. Klockwise from the top left, the cabinet awaits the Trial of David Friggin' Palmer, Palmer awaits the Trial of David Palmer, and Chappelle confers with one of his minions. CTU. Soul Patch crutches in. He wants to know why he just received word from the Department of Justice that the bombers were called off. Chappelle is all, "I wouldn't worry about it." Soul Patch wants to know if it's true. Chappelle confirms that it is. So Soul Patch is all, "And you didn't tell me? Why are you so determined to keep my people processing intel on an operation that's been scrapped?" Chappelle is all, "There's a strong possibility the White House will reinstate the attack order." Soul Patch wants to know why the President would change his mind. "Just keep your people on a war footing," says Chappelle. Bitchelle, who has heard the whole thing, approaches Soul Patch and tells him that not only the phones are up, but Kiefer is on the phone from Cate Warner's home. "Conference it into my office," says Soul Patch