Episode Report Card M. Giant: C+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Kiefer's Ex vs. World War III
By M. Giant | Season 6 | Episode 18 | Aired on 04.15.2007
11:29:14. Kiefer wakes up to find himself sitting on the floor of the warehouse with his back against a support column and his hands cuffed in front of him. Kiefer's trying to get Doyle to listen to him, but Doyle's busy boasting to Buchanan about how he "had to subdue" Kiefer. With Chloe still in his office looking miserable, Buchanan asks to talk to Kiefer. When Kiefer has the phone, Buchanan tells him that Chloe brought him up to speed during the commercials, and that he can't let Kiefer have the component. Kiefer promises that he never planned to let the Chinese have it, and that they're Audrey's only chance. Buchanan promises to do whatever they can to get Audrey back. "You didn't even know she was alive," Kiefer scoffs meanly. Like he's been so in the loop. Poor Kiefer is reduced to asking Buchanan "as a friend." Bill, don't let your life insurance agent hear Kiefer calling you that. Buchanan still isn't giving in beyond offering to figure out a game plan once Doyle brings Kiefer in. Kiefer asks for just one more phone call. We know full well whom he wants to talk to, but Buchanan asks anyway. And before Kiefer answers, he closes his eyes for a moment so he can steel himself to say, "President Wayne Palmer." And the preparation worked, because he's able to utter the phrase with a straight face. Buchanan says he'll see what he can do, as the clock reads 11:30:55.
Wayne's sitting in the Oval Office watching a news report about his own miraculous recovery when Buchanan's call rings through. A moment later, Wayne's on the line with Kiefer. He congratulates Kiefer on securing the bombs, and Kiefer gets right to his request to have Wayne authorize a field operation to save Audrey. Just like everyone else, Wayne is shocked at the news that Audrey's still alive, but on the other hand, he doesn't need to be told what the FB-circuit board is. He says that he sympathizes with Kiefer, but he's not about to authorize that trade. Kiefer says he only wants to fake the Chinese into releasing Audrey, and he promises to destroy the circuit board before actually handing it over. Wayne wants to know how Kiefer plans to pull that off. Kiefer hems and haws and finally admits that he'll destroy the chip with a concealed charge of C-4. Confused, Wayne points out that'll take out anything in a thirty-foot radius (Wayne is an expert on explosions, you see, having very recently been in one). After a moment, Wayne gets it. "You're going to sacrifice yourself?" he asks Kiefer. Kiefer says, "Audrey Raines was willing to give up her life to save mine. I cannot and will not do anything less for her." Wayne's not down with sending Kiefer on a suicide mission. Kiefer reminds Wayne that he already did just that, sixteen hours ago, and Kiefer never complained about it even once. "Mr. President?" he says. "You. Owe. Me." Wayne finally agrees and tells Kiefer he'll have whatever he needs. Kiefer promises not to fail Wayne, and he gratefully hangs up, satisfied that he now has permission to go kill himself. Wayne asks the little person who lives in his speakerphone to get Buchanan back on the line, and then he buries his face in his hands, wondering who's going to save the country from its next crisis if Kiefer dies. It's 11:34:27.