Episode Report Card Gustave: B+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Survivor: The Family Edition
By Gustave | Season 2 | Episode 12 | Aired on 02.10.2003
The time is 07:38:59 PM. Klockwise from the top left, Palmer does something presidential, Syed watches his family on television, and Syed Jr. struggles with his restraints. At NSA, PMHC catches up to Palmer in the hall and informs Palmer that Kiefer has kaptured Syed Ali's family and is threatening their lives. Palmer is shocked. PMHC goes on to explain that they've had Syed Ali's family in custody for quite some time, which -- thankfully -- explains how they got them tied up so fast, and that Kiefer plans to kill each family member one by one until Syed discloses the location of the B-O-M-B. "Can we let this happen?" asks Palmer. "Condone the murder of innocent children?" PMHC tries to argue that it's a necessary evil of war -- like bombing a chemical factory that happens to be located near a hospital. "A few people may have to die to save millions," says PMHC. "How could it have come to this?" asks Palmer, aghast. Hey, Palmer? Could you sit down? You're blocking our view of that former employee of yours being TORTURED. Thanks. ["And can I just ask what kinds of decisions he thought he'd be making as the president? I know that the show has to have someone on-screen express moral outrage at this turn of events, but Palmer's naïveté in that regard is ridiculous. As usual." -- Sars]
Back at Temple El-Kaboom, Ali continues to watch his family suffer via satellite. As they moan pitifully, Kiefer explains that Syed's wife writes him letters every day but doesn't know where to send them. "Your son Asad wants to grow up to be just like you," says Kiefer. "He turns twelve next week. I don't think he's going to make it." What is this? Some fucked-up version of those Sally Struthers Save The Children ads? Syed remains silent, safe in the belief that he is doing "Allah's work." HAFA enters with a call from the president. Palmer tells Kiefer that he won't allow him to kill Syed Ali's family. Kiefer agrees to follow Palmer's orders, but after Palmer hangs up, he continues to "talk" on the phone for Syed's benefit and make it sound like Palmer has given him the okay to kill the Ali family. Syed is horrified.
Back at NSA, Rolaide catches up with PMHC to tell him that she doesn't trust Lady Mac. PMHC tells Rolaide that this is no time for a catfight, but Rolaide insists that this isn't just a turf war. "Someone has approached me with evidence of a flurry of communications between Yulin and Lady Mac," says Rolaide, explaining that she was waiting for the right time to talk to someone about this. "Yulin said he met her today for the first time!" gasps PMHC. "Lady Mac is a lot of things but a traitor to this country? I don't believe that." Rolaide says that she has a meeting with her unnamed source in ten minutes and will know more then. PMHC decides not to tell Palmer just then. He warns Rolaide to be careful and asks her to give him details of the meeting as soon as she can.