Episode Report Card Gustave: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Fallout
By Gustave | Season 2 | Episode 16 | Aired on 03.24.2003
Air Force One. General Windbag talks to Palmer and the Joint Chiefs about war. I'm not really paying attention to a mélange of fun words like "casualties," "ground assault," "China," and "Russia." Dude, who needs this scene when you can just switch over to CNN? The phone rings. It's Kiefer. He tells Palmer about Ali's assassination and warns Palmer that the Cyprus recording might be a fake. Palmer asks him to gather more proof, as he can't stop the war without it.
The time is 11:41:43 PM. Kiefer calls Bitchelle to tell her that she might be onto something, and asks her what else she can find out about this recording. According to Bitchelle, their only proof so far is Syed Ali's word. She does, however, mention the presence of PoorMan'sArmandAssante in the office. Kiefer goes to look up PMAA's background when who should come breezing down the halls of CTU High but Cate. Her fish lips jut out and register shock to see Kiefer alive. Apparently no one mentioned the switcheroo to her. She's glad to see he's okay, but she's gotta go get debriefed by HotAsianFromAngel.
PMHC comes to Palmer to give him the good news that General Windbag's predictions aren't as bad as previously thought...although they're still pretty bad. Palmer is not comforted by this news. He's still hung up on what Kiefer told him over the phone, and discusses these fears with PMHC. PMHC explains to Palmer that while his prudent nature is what makes him a great leader, it's also his biggest downfall. Palmer doesn't want to act too hastily by starting a war. PMHC wants to act fast on CTU's information.
Kiefer enters the men's room where PMAA is washing up -- no comment -- and introduces himself. PMAA gives him the cold shoulder, even after Kiefer assures him that he's secretly on his side. Kiefer asks whether it is possible that the Cyprus recording found in Syed's house could have been compromised or even planted altogether. Yusuf doesn't want to supply Kiefer with information, since Kiefer isn't sharing any with him, and leaves the men's room in a huff. Kiefer's cell phone rings. An unseen man identifies himself as the one who planted the bogus tape and shot Ali. The man demands that Kiefer bring Cate, of all people, to a particular warehouse in the middle of the next episode...I mean, "in a half hour." Kiefer komplies, hoping to learn more from this man. When the mystery caller hangs up, a Coral Snake tattoo can be clearly seen on his forearm. Dun dun dun!
I love how Palmer's staff has planned an entire war while Spawn is still in the convenience store bathroom freshening up. As she finishes up, she hears a violent argument starting up between MenacingStoreOwner and another guy, so she judiciously peeks out from the bathroom, senses danger, and sneaks out of the store before she gets into any more trouble. Oh, who am I kidding? Spawn is drawn toward the conflict like a moth to flame. Some Hispanic guy is begging MenacingStoreOwner to let him in to buy supplies. MenacingStoreOwner tells HisPanic that the store is already closed, and he calls the police when HisPanic becomes threatening. "It's starting," says Spawn, standing around and watching the two men argue like it's a show on TV. MenacingStoreOwner presses her to find out what she means, but before she can answer, the door shatters. HisPanic has smashed a shopping cart through the glass. He lunges at MenacingStoreOwner and grabs his throat. Spawn whines for the two men to stop it. When they don't, she pulls out her gun and waves it at them. She orders HisPanic to let go of MenacingStoreOwner and leave. Yet when faced with having to actually shoot him, Spawn relents. HisPanic takes the gun away from her and fills the cart with food and supplies.